- Red Wine
- Graciano, Grenache, Tempranillo
- Sustainable
- Dry
- Medium Bodied
- 750ml
- 14.5% alc./vol
About the Winery
Bodegas Exopto
Exopto is Latin for “to long for” or “to desire greatly” and it is the dream of Frenchman Tom Puyaubert and his family to endeavor to craft and assemble wines where the whole adds up to more than the sum of their parts. Tom relocated from France to Rioja in 2000 after falling in love with the region and working for the French cooperage Saury as its Spain representative.
When Tom began Exopto, he wanted to do a project that produced wines within this historical context of Rioja - combining both worlds in a unique way. His idea is to remain true to the blending of the principle grape varieties and to do so from the best terroirs/villages for those varieties crossing sub-regions of Rioja. Each wine though, has a majority of a different principle grape – showcasing that variety specifically within the context of a blend. The viticulture and winemaking model is that of the “vigneron” days – small plots of vines in the extremes, wild yeast fermentation in concrete or old oak vats and then aging in a way to showcase the fruit, minerality and terroir not the wood or aged flavours that people often associate with Rioja.
Press Reviews
WineAlign
92 points - Sara d'Amato
Peppery, fresh, and modern - a result of a project to recover old bush vines on the slopes of the Sierra Cantabria and Monte Yerga at over 1,800 feet in elevation. A blend of garnacha, tempranillo, and graciano aged in concrete for 8 months in order to preserve it primary varietal character and a distinctive sense of place. Peppery rotundone permeates the palate of this aromatically engaging wine that proves a lot less heavy and tannic on the palate than the 14.5% belies. Relatively supple yet mineral with juicy acidity that lends definition. Notably well balanced with excellent length. Tasted May 2026.
91 points - Megha Jandhyala S.J.D., DipWSET
This is an unusual Rioja, in the most wonderful way. It is a blend led by garnacha with 30% tempranillo and 5% graciano. Fruit for this wine was sourced from old bush vines growing on the slopes of the Sierra Cantabria and Monte Yerga, at over 1600 feet. This wine was aged for 8 months in concrete. It is not especially expressive aromatically, but it blossoms on the palate, revealing delightful petals of flavour - ripe red plums and dark cherries, violets, black pepper, and lots of herbs. I like the simple charm of this wine, it's the focus and minimalism. The palate is medium bodied and tender, with a pleasing impression of sweetness, fine-grained tannins, and fresh acidity. The finish is long-lasting and bright. Tasted May 2026.
90 points - David Lawrason
Here's a very lively, fruit driven tempranillo that displays the simple heart of Rioja. The nose uplifts with cherry all the way, plus hints of tobacco, earth and spice. It is medium weight, fleshy, open, warm (14%) and juicy with gritty/sandy tannin. The length is very good. Rioja unadorned and quite charming. Chillable. Tasted May 2026
90 points - John Szabo, MS
Here's a pleasantly juicy-fruity, oak-free Rioja in a modern guise, highly drinkable and contemporary, a garnacha-led blend with tempranillo and graciano sourced across sub-regions — old-vine garnacha from sandy plots at Alfaro/Monte Yerga, tempranillo from Ábalos, graciano for finesse — fermented with native yeasts and aged six months in concrete and large 5,000L oak vats, with a touch of semi-carbonic for buoyancy. I appreciate the zesty, lively palate, brimming with fruit and spice, and the fine-grained but properly sandy tannins. Length, too, is solid. Attractive and pretty much ready to enjoy even if there's no rush. Tasted May 2026.