Bodegas Exopto Rioja El Espinal de Exopto 2021

El Espinal is a single-vineyard Rioja made from the rare Maturana Tinta, grown at 650 metres on the slopes of the Sierra Cantabria.

El Espinal was the first label under Tom Puyaubert's Coleccion Miguel Angel Mato, named for the grower who cultivates several of Exopto's principal vineyards by mule and who owns old plots high on the Sierra Cantabria, this one among them. The plot name refers to the pine trees on those exposed slopes above San Vicente. At 650 metres this is serious altitude for Rioja, and the 0.3-hectare site is limestone and clay planted to bush vines of Maturana Tinta, a re-emerging variety in the region. The vinification is equally unusual: vinification integrale, with the fruit fermented in closed 600-litre French oak barrels that are rolled several times a day, so there are no pumpovers or plunging and the extraction happens by infusion. After pressing, the juice returns to the same casks for 15 months before bottling.

Unlike anything else in the region and worth decanting; give it a few years if you can. Serve at 16-18°C with roast lamb, game or grilled mushrooms.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.