2020 Bodegas Pujanza Norte

Type of Wine | Red |
---|---|
Country | Spain |
Region | |
Appellation | |
Winery | |
Vintage | 2020 |
Grape | |
Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (14%) |
Drink window | 2024 - 2035 |
In stock
18 items available
Description
The Pujanza Norte comes from the 2.7 hectare El Norte vineyard at 720 meters altitude which consists of clay-limestone soils, the layers of limestone are only 50 cm below the surface. On the vineyard the winemaker plants flowers, so that the vines have to go deeper for water, which gives the wine its special character. The vineyard is cultivated according to the rules of ecological viticulture and the grapes are harvested by hand. The Finca Norte vineyard is one of the highest vineyards in the Rioja and this makes this Norte Rioja an elegant and very balanced wine.
The 2020 Norte is made from 100% Tempranillo, sourced from a northern vineyard near the forest in Laguardia, Rioja Alavesa. Situated at one of the highest points in the region, this vineyard benefits from a unique terroir. The wine was aged for 12 months in a combination of French oak barrels and concrete vats. The result is a wine with enchanting forest aromas. Scents of rosemary, thyme, wild herbs and resin – similar to garrigue – surround a core of cherry. Dry, intense and with a moderate structure, this wine offers a harmonious balance between juiciness and suppleness, with a lively, long-lasting finish. The Norte shows the characteristic profile of the Sonsierra, with its pronounced and flavoursome characteristics.
Pujanza's white wines have been voted the best white wines of Spain by Decanter and Tim Atkins.
FACT: In the tab 'Attachments' you will find the official fact sheet of this beautiful wine. We will automatically send you this when you order this wine. The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you come to pick up the wine you will often also receive a nice discount . You will see your discount immediately when you choose 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht almost next to the A16 with plenty of parking. Click here for our address.
You can read the full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous and Wine Spectator via the links next to the image. A free service for our customers.
Need advice on finding the perfect wine for your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grandcruwijnen customers.
1. Grilled lamb chops with rosemary, garlic and grilled eggplant
The spiciness of the lamb enhances the wild herb aromas of the wine, while the grilled vegetables emphasise the earthy side and harmonise beautifully with the wood aging.
2. Beef stew with carrot, onion and bay leaf
Slow-cooked meat brings structure and depth, perfectly complementing the firm yet juicy style of the wine. The aromatic herbs accentuate the complexity of the glass.
3. Lentil stew with chorizo, pepper and tomato
The smoky notes of chorizo and the savoury depth of lentils bring out the spicy, mineral side of the wine, while the whole is nicely balanced by the ripe fruit.
4. Portobello mushrooms stuffed with manchego, thyme and walnuts
The earthy flavor of the portobello matches the woodsy aromas in the wine. Cheese and nuts provide richness and texture that pairs nicely with the structure of the Tempranillo.
5. Roast partridge with sage, beetroot and fig compote
The combination of game, earthy vegetables and slightly sweet fig brings out both the spicy and fruity profile of the wine beautifully. The refined structure of the dish matches the elegant intensity of the wine.
6. Grilled tuna with black olive tapenade and roasted peppers
The meaty structure of the tuna matches the powerful style of the wine. The saltiness of the olives and the sweetness of the paprika enhance the aromatic and fruity character of the Pujanza Norte.
Specifications
Type of Wine | Red |
---|---|
Country | Spain |
Region | Rioja |
Appellation | Rioja Alavesa |
Winery | Bodegas Pujanza |
Grape | Tempranillo |
Biological certified | No |
Natural wine | No |
Vegan | No |
Vintage | 2020 |
Drinking as of | 2024 |
Drinking till | 2035 |
Alcohol % | 14 |
Alcohol free/low | No |
Content | 0.75 ltr |
Oak aging | Yes |
Sparkling | No |
Dessert wine | No |
Closure | Cork |
Parker rating | 95 |
James Suckling rating | 94 |
Vinous rating | 96 |
Tasting Profiles | Aards, Complex, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Kruidig, Rood fruit, Tannines, Vol |
Drink moments | Indruk maken, Lekker luxe, Open haard, Romantisch |
Professional Reviews
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 95
Reviewed by:
Luis Gutiérrez
Release Price:
$100
Drink Date:
2022 - 2030
The 2020 Norte is the top-of-the-range red from a north-facing plot in Laguardia at 720 meters in altitude on limestone soils with the mother rock 50 centimeters below the surface. It fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel and matured in French oak barrels and concrete for 12 months. It has 14.5% alcohol and a pH of 3.48 with 6.15 grams of acidity. This keeps the powerful but fresh and balanced profile, ripe and concentrated. This is still young and needs some more time in bottle to polish the abundant chalky tannins, but there is more restraint and even a touch of austerity, showing a cooler vintage. 11,000 bottles produced.
Pujanza is one of the leading names in modern Rioja. It was created by Carlos San Pedro in Laguardia where he owns 40 hectares of vineyards and produces some 200,000 bottles. I tasted mostly 2019s, a very warm and ripe year with very high ripeness and all the wines (except the Hado) are above 15% alcohol, because he saw green notes in the grapes and waited for the ripening of the grapes but the alcohol was quite high. But the wines are not overripe; it's a ripe but compensated year. 2020 is cooler and the wines are fresher and have more contained alcohol, but both years are low yielding, for different reasons, but both with moderate crops.
Published: Jul 14, 2022
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
Score
94
Avg Price (ex-tax)
$ 53
Pujanza Rioja Norte 2020
Friday, Jun 02, 2023
Color
Red
Country
Spain
Region
La Rioja
Vintage
2020
Dusty dark spices with a hint of black olives to the dark cherries, ripe strawberries, cocoa powder and cedar. Very juicy, fresh and tight on the palate with firm, caressing tannins and a mouthwatering finish. Textured and long, full of succulent berries and a savory cocoa powder edge. Drinkable now, but much better in 2025.
Zekun Shuai
Senior Editor
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
96
Drinking Window
2024 - 2040
From: The Many Riojas of Rioja: A Tale of Forking Paths (Apr 2024)
The 2020 Norte consists of 100% Tempranillo sourced from a northern vineyard nestled near the forest in Laguardia, Rioja Alavesa. Situated at one of the highest elevations in the region, this vineyard benefits from unique terroir conditions. Aged for 12 months in a combination of French oak barrels and concrete vats, this wine unveils captivating forest aromas. Garrigue-like, fragrant rosemary, thyme, wild herbs and resin all surround a core of cherry. Dry, intense and moderately structured, it offers a harmonious balance of juiciness and suppleness, culminating in a vibrant, long-lasting palate. The Norte introduces the distinctive profile of the Sonsierra region, showcasing its flavorful and unique characteristics.
- By Joaquín Hidalgo on December 2023
Carlos San Pedro created Bodega Pujanza in 1998. He planned to make terroir-focused wines mostly using grapes from vineyards in Laguardia, Rioja Alavesa, and that is exactly what he’s done, making ever more precise adjustments in search of greater purity. Every wine he bottles comes from a specific vineyard. As he told me, “In this area, elegance is far more desirable than potency.” Such is his pursuit. Wines like Valdepoleo and Pujanza Cisma speak eloquently of his success so far.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
96
The Wine Advocate: 94 Tim Atkin: 95 “Wine of the Year” James Suckling: 92 Guía Proensa: - Guía Gourmets: 96
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
Wijnhuis
Bodegas Pujanza is located in the heart of the Rioja Alavesa. The winery is located in one of the most beautiful villas in this region. A real prime location in the most beautiful part of the Rioja. Bodegas Pujanza is one of the youngest (top) Rioja houses and started in June 2002. It is a family business with a long tradition of growing grapes and wine making in the capital of the Rioja Alavesa. The location in the valley of the Ebro and the slopes of the Sierra de Cantabria, partly determines the character of the Pujanza wines.
Owner Carlos San Pedro and his team are constantly working to improve the performance of their vineyards and with an almost manic approach, they try to improve the quality of the wines even further. Pujanza is one of the new style winemakers in the Rioja such as Remirez de Ganuza and Tentenublo where the focus is on absolute top quality with emphasis on the fruit. The fact that Penin and Parker without exception rate the wines of this house well above 90 points (so the absolute honor division) says enough. The 4 main wines are the Hado, the Valdepoleo (in the past this wine was called the Pujanza Pujanza) the Norte and the cult wine the Cisma.
Carlos is one of the pioneers together with Remirez de Ganuza in the field of modern style Rioja's and has the luxury that his vineyards are situated high so that there are good differences between day and night temperature. This gives the wines extra complexity and freshness. Carlos only works with single vineyards except at the Hado (here the grapes are used from the norte and Valdepoleo vineyards). Carlos has divided all 3 vineyards into plots (except the Cisma vineyard because it is so small) and all these plots are vinified separately. Only just before bottling, the various plots are combined until it has the desired taste and then it is bottled. This concept is far from economical but does make for great wines. Carlos does not use external yeasts, and he deliberately chooses to keep the amount of new wood low, but also to raise the wines longer in large (used) barriques.
Grandcruwijnen is the Dutch Importer of this renowned winery and supplies both consumers and Horeca and Retail.
The Pujanza Norte comes from the 2.7 hectare El Norte vineyard at 720 meters altitude which consists of clay-limestone soils, the layers of limestone are only 50 cm below the surface. On the vineyard the winemaker plants flowers, so that the vines have to go deeper for water, which gives the wine its special character. The vineyard is cultivated according to the rules of ecological viticulture and the grapes are harvested by hand. The Finca Norte vineyard is one of the highest vineyards in the Rioja and this makes this Norte Rioja an elegant and very balanced wine.
The 2020 Norte is made from 100% Tempranillo, sourced from a northern vineyard near the forest in Laguardia, Rioja Alavesa. Situated at one of the highest points in the region, this vineyard benefits from a unique terroir. The wine was aged for 12 months in a combination of French oak barrels and concrete vats. The result is a wine with enchanting forest aromas. Scents of rosemary, thyme, wild herbs and resin – similar to garrigue – surround a core of cherry. Dry, intense and with a moderate structure, this wine offers a harmonious balance between juiciness and suppleness, with a lively, long-lasting finish. The Norte shows the characteristic profile of the Sonsierra, with its pronounced and flavoursome characteristics.
Pujanza's white wines have been voted the best white wines of Spain by Decanter and Tim Atkins.
FACT: In the tab 'Attachments' you will find the official fact sheet of this beautiful wine. We will automatically send you this when you order this wine. The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you come to pick up the wine you will often also receive a nice discount . You will see your discount immediately when you choose 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht almost next to the A16 with plenty of parking. Click here for our address.
You can read the full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous and Wine Spectator via the links next to the image. A free service for our customers.
Need advice on finding the perfect wine for your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grandcruwijnen customers.
1. Grilled lamb chops with rosemary, garlic and grilled eggplant
The spiciness of the lamb enhances the wild herb aromas of the wine, while the grilled vegetables emphasise the earthy side and harmonise beautifully with the wood aging.
2. Beef stew with carrot, onion and bay leaf
Slow-cooked meat brings structure and depth, perfectly complementing the firm yet juicy style of the wine. The aromatic herbs accentuate the complexity of the glass.
3. Lentil stew with chorizo, pepper and tomato
The smoky notes of chorizo and the savoury depth of lentils bring out the spicy, mineral side of the wine, while the whole is nicely balanced by the ripe fruit.
4. Portobello mushrooms stuffed with manchego, thyme and walnuts
The earthy flavor of the portobello matches the woodsy aromas in the wine. Cheese and nuts provide richness and texture that pairs nicely with the structure of the Tempranillo.
5. Roast partridge with sage, beetroot and fig compote
The combination of game, earthy vegetables and slightly sweet fig brings out both the spicy and fruity profile of the wine beautifully. The refined structure of the dish matches the elegant intensity of the wine.
6. Grilled tuna with black olive tapenade and roasted peppers
The meaty structure of the tuna matches the powerful style of the wine. The saltiness of the olives and the sweetness of the paprika enhance the aromatic and fruity character of the Pujanza Norte.
Type of Wine | Red |
---|---|
Country | Spain |
Region | Rioja |
Appellation | Rioja Alavesa |
Winery | Bodegas Pujanza |
Grape | Tempranillo |
Biological certified | No |
Natural wine | No |
Vegan | No |
Vintage | 2020 |
Drinking as of | 2024 |
Drinking till | 2035 |
Alcohol % | 14 |
Alcohol free/low | No |
Content | 0.75 ltr |
Oak aging | Yes |
Sparkling | No |
Dessert wine | No |
Closure | Cork |
Parker rating | 95 |
James Suckling rating | 94 |
Vinous rating | 96 |
Tasting Profiles | Aards, Complex, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Kruidig, Rood fruit, Tannines, Vol |
Drink moments | Indruk maken, Lekker luxe, Open haard, Romantisch |
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 95
Reviewed by:
Luis Gutiérrez
Release Price:
$100
Drink Date:
2022 - 2030
The 2020 Norte is the top-of-the-range red from a north-facing plot in Laguardia at 720 meters in altitude on limestone soils with the mother rock 50 centimeters below the surface. It fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel and matured in French oak barrels and concrete for 12 months. It has 14.5% alcohol and a pH of 3.48 with 6.15 grams of acidity. This keeps the powerful but fresh and balanced profile, ripe and concentrated. This is still young and needs some more time in bottle to polish the abundant chalky tannins, but there is more restraint and even a touch of austerity, showing a cooler vintage. 11,000 bottles produced.
Pujanza is one of the leading names in modern Rioja. It was created by Carlos San Pedro in Laguardia where he owns 40 hectares of vineyards and produces some 200,000 bottles. I tasted mostly 2019s, a very warm and ripe year with very high ripeness and all the wines (except the Hado) are above 15% alcohol, because he saw green notes in the grapes and waited for the ripening of the grapes but the alcohol was quite high. But the wines are not overripe; it's a ripe but compensated year. 2020 is cooler and the wines are fresher and have more contained alcohol, but both years are low yielding, for different reasons, but both with moderate crops.
Published: Jul 14, 2022
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
Score
94
Avg Price (ex-tax)
$ 53
Pujanza Rioja Norte 2020
Friday, Jun 02, 2023
Color
Red
Country
Spain
Region
La Rioja
Vintage
2020
Dusty dark spices with a hint of black olives to the dark cherries, ripe strawberries, cocoa powder and cedar. Very juicy, fresh and tight on the palate with firm, caressing tannins and a mouthwatering finish. Textured and long, full of succulent berries and a savory cocoa powder edge. Drinkable now, but much better in 2025.
Zekun Shuai
Senior Editor
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
96
Drinking Window
2024 - 2040
From: The Many Riojas of Rioja: A Tale of Forking Paths (Apr 2024)
The 2020 Norte consists of 100% Tempranillo sourced from a northern vineyard nestled near the forest in Laguardia, Rioja Alavesa. Situated at one of the highest elevations in the region, this vineyard benefits from unique terroir conditions. Aged for 12 months in a combination of French oak barrels and concrete vats, this wine unveils captivating forest aromas. Garrigue-like, fragrant rosemary, thyme, wild herbs and resin all surround a core of cherry. Dry, intense and moderately structured, it offers a harmonious balance of juiciness and suppleness, culminating in a vibrant, long-lasting palate. The Norte introduces the distinctive profile of the Sonsierra region, showcasing its flavorful and unique characteristics.
- By Joaquín Hidalgo on December 2023
Carlos San Pedro created Bodega Pujanza in 1998. He planned to make terroir-focused wines mostly using grapes from vineyards in Laguardia, Rioja Alavesa, and that is exactly what he’s done, making ever more precise adjustments in search of greater purity. Every wine he bottles comes from a specific vineyard. As he told me, “In this area, elegance is far more desirable than potency.” Such is his pursuit. Wines like Valdepoleo and Pujanza Cisma speak eloquently of his success so far.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
96
The Wine Advocate: 94 Tim Atkin: 95 “Wine of the Year” James Suckling: 92 Guía Proensa: - Guía Gourmets: 96
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
Bodegas Pujanza is located in the heart of the Rioja Alavesa. The winery is located in one of the most beautiful villas in this region. A real prime location in the most beautiful part of the Rioja. Bodegas Pujanza is one of the youngest (top) Rioja houses and started in June 2002. It is a family business with a long tradition of growing grapes and wine making in the capital of the Rioja Alavesa. The location in the valley of the Ebro and the slopes of the Sierra de Cantabria, partly determines the character of the Pujanza wines.
Owner Carlos San Pedro and his team are constantly working to improve the performance of their vineyards and with an almost manic approach, they try to improve the quality of the wines even further. Pujanza is one of the new style winemakers in the Rioja such as Remirez de Ganuza and Tentenublo where the focus is on absolute top quality with emphasis on the fruit. The fact that Penin and Parker without exception rate the wines of this house well above 90 points (so the absolute honor division) says enough. The 4 main wines are the Hado, the Valdepoleo (in the past this wine was called the Pujanza Pujanza) the Norte and the cult wine the Cisma.
Carlos is one of the pioneers together with Remirez de Ganuza in the field of modern style Rioja's and has the luxury that his vineyards are situated high so that there are good differences between day and night temperature. This gives the wines extra complexity and freshness. Carlos only works with single vineyards except at the Hado (here the grapes are used from the norte and Valdepoleo vineyards). Carlos has divided all 3 vineyards into plots (except the Cisma vineyard because it is so small) and all these plots are vinified separately. Only just before bottling, the various plots are combined until it has the desired taste and then it is bottled. This concept is far from economical but does make for great wines. Carlos does not use external yeasts, and he deliberately chooses to keep the amount of new wood low, but also to raise the wines longer in large (used) barriques.
Grandcruwijnen is the Dutch Importer of this renowned winery and supplies both consumers and Horeca and Retail.