Bodegas Exopto Rioja Horizonte de Exopto 2021

Horizonte de Exopto is the village-level red in Tom Puyaubert's range, drawn entirely from old vines in the western Sonsierra.

The Sonsierra is the strip of Rioja Alta lying in the lee of the Sierra Cantabria, high, rocky and limestone-rich, and it has become the source of the region's most sought-after old-vine fruit. Horizonte is a blend of 80% Tempranillo with 10% each of Garnacha and Graciano from a dozen old plots in the western part of that zone. Originally based solely on vines at Abalos, from 2020 the wine has also included fruit from the old vines of Los Pozos and El Sacramento at San Vicente, as well as grapes from a vineyard at Banos de Ebro bought in 2019. The lowest of these vineyards sits at 400 metres, rising to 500 metres at Los Pozos. Everything is co-fermented naturally in cement vats with a short one-week maceration, then matured in barriques before finishing in large, neutral 600-litre barrels to keep the oak impact minimal.

Approachable on release with the structure for five to eight years. Serve at 16-18°C with roast lamb, grilled beef or a chorizo and bean stew.

*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.