Bodegas Exopto Bozeto Rioja 2012

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). Robert Parker ™s right hand man. Jay Millar from Wine Advocate is a fan Exopto Cellars three new releases are all outstanding . No doubt about it Exopto is a Riojan star in the making!

Bozeto ( means sketch in Spanish) and the 2012 is a blend of 50 per cent Garnacha. 30 per cent Tempranillo and 20 per cent Graciano. The Garnacha comes from a 60 year old plot in the Monte Yerga sub region and is fermented and aged in Nomblot concrete eggs to capture all of the bright. juicy charms on offer from this fruit. The Tempranillo comes from the mature Periquita vineyard in the cooler Rioja Alta and is fermented in old wood. The grapes see plenty of sunshine. but cool nights and a long growing season result in ripe fruit flavours balanced by vibrant acidity. The inclusion of the Graciano brings further freshness. savouriness and spiciness. The 2012 Bozeto is a perfumed. lip smacking. medium bodied red of wonderful energy and clarity think high grown Côtes du Rhône or juicy ripe cru Beaujolais with perhaps more complexity. This is a wine that is neither fined or filtered and the annual production is less than 2000 cases. which is pretty amazing given its modest price.

Winemaker Tom Puyaubert ‘s tasting note .. “A deep red colour. dense and bright in appearance. Aromas of red fruits (cherry and strawberry) with mineral and floral touches. A luscious palate. strawberry and cranberry flavours supply a sweetness that contrasts with the pleasant acidity. Very elegant and a fruity. long finish. ”

Love this gorgeous rioja and its modest price!RRP $27