Exopto Rioja

We offered our first shipment of these small-batch Rioja’s in March of this year. The wines created a great deal of excitement and unfortunately sold out in a shorter space of time than we anticipated. Little wonder when you consider the quality, price and story behind these fabulous wines. Put briefly, this is a Riojan project run along Burgundian lines – tiny in scale, meticulous in technique, and with the emphasis on purity and authentic vineyard expression.

All of our favorite ingredients manifest here: outstanding, cool vineyards on rocky soils, very old vines, indigenous varieties, low yields (yes, at these prices!), a terrific little winery replete with new cement tanks and large format oak and a passionate winemaker/owner in Frenchman Tom Puyaubert who clearly understands the universal principals of high quality wine. The wines offer unbelievable value and we firmly believe Exopto is a Riojan star in the making.

Below we offer the two new vintages, both quite as delicious as the previous arrivals. Both are astounding value at their price points. Due to a copyright issue in Spain, the wine formerly known as “b.b” (short for big bang) has been renamed Bozeto (sketch) and while the name may have changed the song remains the same - it is still as intense, crunchy and juicy as its popular predecessor. It has more Garnacha than Tempranillo as well as 10% Graciano. A perfect value option The 2008 Horizante has a higher proportion of Graciano than last year’s wine, adding deeper notes of earth and spice to complement the mineral-rich Tempranillo. This is concentrated, suave and complex Rioja – a great example of the modern style that speaks clearly of its old vine, high-country origins. Again, brilliant value.

While we are on the subject of damn fine artisanal Rioja, we are delighted to announce that restocks of the expressive, smoky Valenciso 2004 have also just arrived. The simple goal of this unique project is to make a single Rioja of the highest quality and authenticity, released as Reserva. Only the best... learn more