Bodegas Exopto Rioja Horizonte de Exopto 2022

Bodegas Exopto Rioja Horizonte de Exopto is a village-level Rioja built entirely from old, high-altitude plots in the western Sonsierra.

Horizonte blends 80 per cent Tempranillo with 10 per cent Garnacha and 10 per cent Graciano, drawn from around a dozen old-vine parcels in the lee of the Sierra Cantabria ranges. Once based solely on Ábalos vines, since 2020 it has taken in fruit from the old vines of Los Pozos and El Sacramento in San Vicente, along with old-vine Tempranillo from a vineyard at Baños de Ebro bought in 2019, plus fruit from the lower part of Tom Puyaubert's La Mimbrera cru vineyard. The varieties are co-fermented naturally in cement vats with a short maceration of about a week, then matured in oak barriques before finishing in large, neutral 600-litre barrels to keep the already minimal oak impact in check. The altitude shows: this is a darker, deeper and more structured Rioja, with vibrant blue and blackberry fruit, fruitcake spice and fine, powdery tannins.

Drink now with air or hold eight to ten years. Serve at 16-18°C with lamb cutlets, chorizo 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.