Description
Bodegas Exopto is one of the new wave of modern winegrowers and quality wine makers in Rioja – Outstanding, well tended, cool vineyards on rocky soils, very old vines and low yields (the total opposite to the trend of mass produced, American oaked wine of the region).
Passionate artisan winemaker, Tom Puyaubert (in fact a Frenchman who married an Espanola!) is fanatical in his focus on their vineyard: 50-100 year old Tempranillo and 70 year old Garnacha vineyard located in Rioja Alavesa (600 metres altitude and the coolest in Rioja). He uses French oak and is producing small quantities of top quality vino (3000 cases – miniscule production for Rioja). No doubt about it Exopto is a Riojan star in the making!
Ábalos has always been Tom Puyaubert’s most significant source, a position further cemented by the addition of his new parcels in La Mimbrera, Carrapeciña and El Hoyo. This villages-level wine is a blend of 80% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha and 10% Graciano drawn from a dozen old-vine plots entirely from Ábalos, in the lee of the Sierra Cantabria ranges.
Co-fermented naturally in cement vats, the wine underwent a short, post-ferment maceration of one week. Then, the wine was matured for one year, half in 600-litre demi-muids and half in barriques. It’s a richer, deeper and more structured Rioja than the Bozeto, and there is good vibrancy and freshness from the limestone soils and altitude of the vines. Including more high-altitude fruit than previous vintages, the 2019 is a spicy, vibrant, punchy style, showing oodles of red and dark red and blue fruit, peppery spice and a streak of earthy minerals.
93 points, Jamessuckling.com “Plums, stones, peppercorns, tobacco and grilled herbs on the nose. It’s full-bodied with fine-grained tannins. Supple, peppery and racy finish. Tempranillo, graciano and garnacha. Drink or hold.”
RRP $51 Our Special Buy when you buy 6 of this wine $42.99
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