2020 Pujanza

From the high-altitude slopes of Rioja Alavesa, the 2020 Pujanza (Hado) captures the essence of modern Rioja: vibrant fruit, lifted freshness and refined structure. Sourced from some of Bodegas Pujanza’s highest vineyards, this Tempranillo-driven red combines classic Rioja character with a contemporary, less oak-dominated style. With strong critical acclaim and an outstanding quality-to-price ratio, it offers an accessible introduction to the house style of one of Rioja’s most respected modern producers.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2020 Pujanza shows a deep, vivid cherry-red colour with a purple rim, signaling both concentration and youth. The nose is clean and expressive, offering ripe yet not overripe red and dark berry fruit—think black cherry, plum and wild strawberry—layered with subtle notes of sweet spice, tobacco leaf, and finely integrated oak. Hints of dried herbs, graphite and a touch of vanilla add complexity without overshadowing the fruit. On the palate, this is medium-bodied, pure and serious, with a juicy core of red and black berries framed by fresh acidity. Fine-grained, polished tannins provide structure and a gentle grip, suggesting several years of positive evolution in bottle. The oak is beautifully judged: present but discreet, contributing nuances of spice, cocoa and toast while allowing the fruit to take centre stage. The finish is long, balanced and savoury, with a lingering note of spice and mineral freshness. Enjoyable now with a short decant, it has the backbone to age gracefully for 5–8 years from vintage in good cellaring conditions.

Production
Bodegas Pujanza’s vineyards lie around the village of Laguardia in Rioja Alavesa, at elevations between 600 and 720 metres above sea level, at the foot of the Sierra de Cantabria. This higher altitude, combined with limestone-rich soils and a continental climate tempered by Atlantic influences, brings natural freshness, fine tannins and aromatic precision to the Tempranillo grapes used for Hado. The fruit for this wine comes from the upper, cooler plots of the estate and is harvested by hand, with careful selection in the vineyard and at the winery. Fermentation is carried out using only indigenous yeasts, reflecting Carlos San Pedro’s philosophy of minimal intervention and respect for terroir. New oak is kept deliberately low; instead, the wine is aged longer in larger, seasoned barriques, allowing complexity and texture to develop without heavy wood imprint. The result is a wine that clearly expresses place, variety and vintage, rather than winemaking artifice.

Food & Serving
The 2020 Pujanza is a versatile food wine that shines alongside Mediterranean and Iberian-inspired cuisine. It pairs beautifully with grilled lamb chops, roast pork with herbs, slow-cooked beef dishes, chorizo and other cured meats, as well as hearty tapas, grilled vegetables, and aged Manchego or other firm cheeses. For everyday enjoyment, try it with wood-fired pizzas, mushroom risotto or chargrilled burgers. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) for optimal balance and aromatic expression. A brief decant of 30–45 minutes will help open up the nose and soften the tannins in its youth, especially if served within the first few years after release.

Producer
Bodegas Pujanza is the personal project of Carlos San Pedro, a fourth-generation winegrower from Laguardia, one of Rioja’s most historic and esteemed wine villages. Founded at the foothills of the Sierra de Cantabria, the estate now farms around 30–40 hectares of vineyards, all clustered close to the winery and planted at significant altitude between 600 and 720 metres. From the outset, Carlos’s vision has been to craft terroir-driven, contemporary Riojas that emphasise fruit, precision and freshness over heavy oak. He works exclusively with natural yeasts and carefully limits the use of new barrels, preferring longer ageing in larger, used barriques to preserve vineyard character. Pujanza has become a reference point for the new wave of Rioja producers, with its white wines voted among Spain’s best by leading critics such as Decanter and Tim Atkin, and its reds—like Hado—consistently earning high scores from international reviewers including Robert Parker. Today, Bodegas Pujanza stands as a benchmark for modern, site-expressive Rioja Alavesa.

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