Viñedos de Páganos’ El Puntido Gran Reserva 2015 is a single-vineyard, 100% Tempranillo from Rioja Alavesa, sourced from the 25-hectare El Puntido vineyard near Páganos. According to Luis Gutiérrez (Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate), the vines are “trellised… planted in 1975 at 600 meters altitude on clay and limestone soils,” and the wine was made in stainless steel before aging “in new French oak barrels for 28 months.” Production is tightly limited at “7,000 bottles,” bottled in June 2017. It arrives at 14.5% alcohol, with a reported pH of 3.72 and 4.93 g/L of acidity (Wine Advocate).

The critical reception is excellent across the board, led by Vinous’ 97-point review from Joaquín Hidalgo, who calls it “still youthful in expression,” opening on “red fruit and fresh plum” with “balsamic hints, fine oak” and herbal tones like “thyme,” plus a lift of “gentle camphor.” Hidalgo notes it is “dry and expansive,” with “soft, polished tannins” and a wine that “remains primary and will benefit from additional bottle time,” projecting a long window (2026–2045).

Wine Advocate’s 96 points similarly emphasize early appeal—“open and expressive from minute one”—and highlight aromatics, including a “clear and refreshing note of cinnamon,” alongside “creamy notes,” red fruit, and savory hints such as “iodine.” Gutiérrez frames it as “textured and rich” from a “warm and dry year,” with a “powerful” feel and tannins that should settle further with time or at the table.

Wine Spectator’s 94 points describes a “concentrated red, with a sense of poise and fine tailoring,” layering “rooibos tea, licorice root, smoked paprika,” currant fruit, and “minerally hints of iron and fresh earth,” finishing with “fresh focus and length” (drink now–2040). Overall, it’s a modern, new-oak Gran Reserva built for extended cellaring, with freshness and structure keeping pace with its ripeness and scale.