- Red Wine
- Grenache, Tempranillo
- Sustainable
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 14.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Bodegas Exopto
Exopto is Latin for “to long for” or “to desire greatly” and it is the dream of Frenchman Tom Puyaubert and his family to endeavor to craft and assemble wines where the whole adds up to more than the sum of their parts. Tom relocated from France to Rioja in 2000 after falling in love with the region and working for the French cooperage Saury as its Spain representative.
When Tom began Exopto, he wanted to do a project that produced wines within this historical context of Rioja - combining both worlds in a unique way. His idea is to remain true to the blending of the principle grape varieties and to do so from the best terroirs/villages for those varieties crossing sub-regions of Rioja. Each wine though, has a majority of a different principle grape – showcasing that variety specifically within the context of a blend. The viticulture and winemaking model is that of the “vigneron” days – small plots of vines in the extremes, wild yeast fermentation in concrete or old oak vats and then aging in a way to showcase the fruit, minerality and terroir not the wood or aged flavours that people often associate with Rioja.
Press Reviews
Robert Parker
92 points
The very young red 2021 Bozeto de Exopto mixes Tempranillo from Ábalos and Mediterranean Garnacha from Alfaro (with 10% Graciano), and it seems very balanced, with good ripeness (14.5%), showing the Garnacha and the more austere Graciano with nice fruit and freshness. It's serious and has complexity and depth beyond its price point. It matured in a combination of concrete and oak containers for some six months. Excellent value in one of the finest vintages for this wine. 70,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in April 2022.
Wine Align
91 points - John Szabo
A blend of garnacha, tempranillo and graciano grown at around 500m in the Sierra de Cantabria, this is aged exclusively in concrete and thus a long way from what many would consider the 'traditional' style of Rioja. I like the freshness and vibrancy allied at the same time to ripe, plush fruit spanning both the red and black spectrum. Tannins are supple and acids balanced and creamy, leading into a long, gently saline finish. Concentration and depth, as well as complexity overall, far exceed expectations in the category. Well made wine from an evidently superior vineyard, delicious now, or hold 3-4 years. Tasted January 2024.
91 points - Megha Jandhyala
This is a charming Rioja, a blend of garnacha, tempranillo, and a small amount of graciano. I like the bright, supple red fruit here and the pretty floral and savoury herbal notes. The palate is lively and supple, with fine-grained tannins and juicy acids. Fresh, streamlined, and with a sense of lightness that is appealing, this wine is ready to drink, though it can also be cellared for a couple of years. Tasted January 2024.