Rioja DOCa DOCA Horizonte de Exopto Exopto 2012

Bodega Exopto has been owned for ten years by Frenchman Tom Puyaubert, who has settled in the village of Laguardia. His vines, which range in age from 20 to 90 years, come from the Rioja Alta, Rioja Avalesa and Rioja Baja wine regions. His mineral fruity and well-structured wines are rich and balanced, and characterised by subtlety and elegance. One of the unusual features of the domaine is that wines are blended (a throwback to the vine grower’s Gascony roots) from Tempranillo, of course, but also Grenache for the reds and Viura, white Grenache and Malvasia Riojana for the whites.

A blend of Viura, Garnacha Blanca and Malvasia vinified together, the white Horizonto de Exopto has a beautiful intensity (vine age plays a major part in this) and remarkable complexity. The palate reveals white flowers, yellow peaches and notes of fennel which, combined with a slightly iodine edge, make this wine a delight to taste.