"[...] Although the year could have been cooler, this 2016 seems riper than the 2017s, a constant here, and in this case, it's thanks to Rioja Baja Graciano. There are more Mediterranean herbal notes in this vintage, and the wine is quite rich and full-bodied but with freshness, life and length. There's also less oak than in previous vintages." (Wine Advocate 2019 - Luis Gutiérrez) A modern, tasty wine.
Features
Estate
Bodega Exopto
Cuvée
Exopto
Vintage
2016
Designation
Rioja
Region
Spain
Grape varieties
Graciano (60%), Garnacha (20%), Tempranillo (20%), vignes âgées de 50 à 100 ans
Terroirs
Pebble, limestone and clay soils
Viticulture
Traditional and meticulous
Harvest
Manual, in 12 Kg cases
Winemaking
Hand de-stemming, fermentation in wooden vats, 21-day maceration, malolactic fermentation in barrels.
Breeding
Aged on lees for 18 months in new French oak barrels
Tasting & pairing
Eye
Dark purplish color
Nose
Very ripe black fruit with hints of vanilla, coffee, spices and pepper.
Mouth
Cherry and blackcurrant on the palate, with spicy touches and a very long, persistent finish. A very modern and attractive wine.
Serve
AT 16°C
Open
1 hour before
Drink before
2030
Food and wine pairing
Enjoy with game, beef on the spit, lamb in sauce, or hard cheeses such as Idiazabal or Manchego.
Bodega Exopto
Rioja
Expert opinion
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate
Rated (2019 guide) 93/100 (Wonderful wine)
Domaine noté Recommended (Wine producer recommended by Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate)
About the wine:
The eponymous 2016 red exopto had the advantage of a cooler year, and was a blend of 60% Graciano, 30% Tempranillo and 10% Garnacha - quite an unusual mix in Rioja - which had fermented in 225-liter barrels using a so-called integral method. vinification. He lowered the percentage of new oak to 30% and 75% of the wine was aged in 500-liter barrels to reduce the impact of oak in the wine. I was quite surprised when Tom Puyabert mentioned 2011, the year he feels has the most similarities with 2016, as he told me that at Ábalos, 2011 wasn't as hot. Although the year could have been cooler, this 2016 seems riper than the 2017s, a constant here, and in this case it's because of the Rioja Baja Graciano. There are more Mediterranean herbal notes, and the wine is quite rich and is full-bodied to full-bodied but with freshness, life and length. There's also less oak than in previous vintages.
James Suckling
Recommended area
Customer reviews
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