The 2009 El Puntido carries the name of the vineyard in Laguardia (Alava) from which the Tempranillo grapes are sourced , 25 hectares at 600 meters altitude with borderline climate for Tempranillo and a very high content of chalk, which makes for very fresh wines. The grapes ferment with their own yeast in stainless steel, and malolactic fermentation is carried out in French oak barrels where the wine then ages for 18 months. The 2009 feels young and a little backward with riper fruit that gives a strong sensation of freshness. The palate shows abundant tannins balanced by very good acidity with that fresh sensation found in the nose and a mineral, almost salty finish. An Atlantic Rioja from a Mediterranean vintage. 48,000 bottles produced. Drink 2014-2023. Vinedos de Paganos is a small winery belonging to the Eguren family in the Alavesa part of Rioja, in the village of Paganos, Laguardia, where they had family vineyards. They built a small winery excavating new caves, some of them underneath the vineyards. They produce two single vineyard wines there, El Puntido and La Nieta, but the news is that since 2005 there are two version of El Puntido as in that vintage they started producing a Gran Reserva versions of it. Did I mention that tradition and modernity seem to be converging? Imported by Fine Estates from Spain, Dedham, MA; tel. (781) 461-5767