2018 Pujanza, Rioja "Valdepoleo"

Valdopoleo-marken er en af Pujanza's signatur-marker og man har lavet enkeltmarksvin siden 2011. Hver parcel i marken, hvor jordbunden har sin egen sammensætning, vinificeres separat inden vinen sammenstikkes efter fadlagringen. Alt spontangæres i denne årgang med en lille mængde stilke og gennemgår malolaktisk gæring i små staltanke inden lagring i mere end 12 måneder i franske barrique. Denne 2018 udgave er sublim og en af vingårdens absolutte yndlingsudgaver. Lysende smuk aromatisk med raffinerede toner af skovbær, tranebær, ribs, forårsblomster, youghurt, lakridsstøv og kalkstensenergi, viser den sig forrygende elegant og dyb. Smagen lægger sig smidig og poleret som silke forrest tungen med forrygende stenet energi og modent syrespil, inden superlativ, diskret tannin rammer vinen perfekt ind inden en salt og stenet finale. Harmonisk, svævende, afrundet, uhyre dyb, elegant og ladet med kalkstensenergi, er dette et helt forrygende best-buy ud i nutidig terroir-Rioja med fokus på finesse. (-2035+) ****+

96 points Proensa

95 points Tim Atkin: "Made entirely from Tempranillo grown around the winery at an average altitude of 630 metres, covering seven different sub-parcels and soil types, this is one of the larger cuvées in the Pujanza range. Aged in 25% new wood, it's subtle, chalky and scented, expressing the cool elegance of the 2018 vintage in the bottle. Long and refreshing. "

94+ points Robert Parker Wine Advocate: "The single-vineyard red 2018 Finca Valdepoleo follows the line of the 2016, two cooler years. It's a fairly large plot that was planted in 1973 in the village of Laguardia on limestone and clay soils at 630 meters in altitude. It fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts and also with some stems (something they don't normally do), and it matured in French oak barrels for one year. The finesse of this wine captured me, and I believe this is the finest vintage for this vineyard bottling. When I poured the whole range and had a quick look at all the wines, this one made me raise my eyebrows. It's elegant, subtle and pure, floral and aromatic, really expressive and captivating. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins and nicely integrated oak. It's a modern version of the 2013. Truly outstanding."