2020 Paganos El Puntido

2020 Paganos El Puntido is a single-vineyard Tempranillo from the renowned Puntido estate in Rioja Alavesa, owned by the Eguren family. Sourced exclusively from old vines planted in 1975 at high altitude, it delivers a powerful yet finely balanced expression of modern Rioja. Meticulously crafted and aged for years before release, this is a robust red that combines depth, elegance, and serious aging potential.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, El Puntido 2020 shows a deep, dark garnet-red color with an almost opaque core and bright, youthful rim. The nose is layered and complex: intense mineral notes and ripe black fruit lead the way—think black cherries, blackberries, and dark plums—wrapped in aromas of liqueur, dark chocolate, toasted bread, and a subtle hint of leather. As it opens, nuances of white flowers, grilled toast, and wild berries emerge, adding lift and refinement. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and powerful, yet beautifully balanced. Concentrated ripe fruit is interwoven with high-quality French oak, offering flavors of black cherry, cassis, cocoa, and a touch of licorice, all framed by finely rounded tannins. The texture is velvety but firm, with a long, savory finish that carries notes of spice, mineral and dark fruit. While already enjoyable now with proper aeration, this vintage will continue to evolve and gain complexity through 2030 and beyond, rewarding those who give it time in the cellar.

Production
The Puntido vineyard covers 25 hectares at around 600 meters above sea level in Rioja Alavesa, rooted in calcareous clay soils with a deep, sandy, stony subsoil. Planted in 1975 at high density, the vines are forced to dig deep, resulting in low yields and excellent concentration—final yields sit at just 18.2 hl/ha, roughly half the legal maximum. Farming is fully organic, with biological fertilization every two years and work carried out in accordance with the vines’ natural biorythms. Grapes are hand-harvested in small crates at the end of September and undergo rigorous manual selection. A three-day cold pre-fermentation maceration at 6°C is followed by alcoholic fermentation with indigenous yeasts from the estate, conducted over about 10 days at 28–30°C with very gentle pump-overs and light aeration for optimal extraction. Post-fermentation maceration lasts around 8 days before the wine is transferred to new French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation and 16 months of aging, followed by a further 6 months in stainless steel and roughly one additional year of bottle aging prior to release—around three and a half years after harvest.

Food & Serving
El Puntido 2020 is a superb partner for rich, refined meat dishes—think roasted or grilled lamb, ribeye steak, slow-braised beef cheeks, Iberian pork, or game such as venison. It also pairs beautifully with oven-baked dishes, truffled dishes, hearty ragùs, and mature hard cheeses. For optimal enjoyment, serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F). Decanting for 1–2 hours before serving is strongly recommended in its youth to allow the wine to open up fully and reveal its layers of fruit, spice, and mineral complexity.

Producer
Viñedos de Páganos is an exclusive estate within the Hermanos Eguren family of wineries, one of the most respected and quality-focused names in Rioja. The Eguren family has been instrumental in raising the profile of single-vineyard, terroir-driven wines in the region, moving Rioja away from a purely aging-based classification toward site-specific excellence. Located in Rioja Alavesa, Viñedos de Páganos is known for its meticulously farmed vineyards, low yields, and organic, environmentally respectful viticulture. The estate’s wines, including El Puntido, have earned international acclaim for their depth, precision, and longevity, securing the Eguren name among the benchmark producers of modern, high-end Rioja.

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