The red 2017 Horizonte de Exopto is a traditional blend of Tempranillo with 10% each Garnacha and Graciano, but now not all of grapes come fromthe village of Ábalos—since 2016, they have added two plots in SanVicente de la Sonsierra. The destemmed and lightly crushed grapesfermented in concrete vats with indigenous yeasts, and the wine matured50/50 in 600-liter demi-muids and 225-liter barriques for one year. Thewine is surprisingly fresh, expressive and aromatic and has a touch ofblack pepper, perhaps because there are more grapes from higher-altitudevineyards that didn't suffer the frost, and the result might be fresherthan some wines from 2016 or 2015. The move to bigger barrels and lessoak seems to have paid back with much better integration of the wood andadditional nuance. A great effort for the vintage and a bit of asurprise—lighter and less concentrated but more drinkable. 9,000 bottleswere filled in November 2018.
This is a beautiful play between fresh blackberries, violets and lavender and dried meat, vanilla and spices. Iodine, licorice and tarall in there, too. Full body, muscular yet grainy tannins and layerafter layer of plush fruit, wrapped up neatly in tangy acidity. Drink in2022.
12 Monate in Barriques und in grossen Holzfässern gereift.
80% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 10% Garnacha. Die Reben sind zwischen 50 und 80 Jahre alt. Einnehmendes Bouquet, Pfeffer, Mokka, Pflaumen, Cassis, mineralisch untermalt. Am Gaumen facettenreich, kompakt, saftige Konturen, wunderbar frisch, nobel und vital. Macht Lust auf ein weiteres Glas.
Der sympathische Quereinsteiger Tom Puyaubert stammt aus Bordeaux und kam ursprünglich für den Vertrieb von französischen Barriques nach Spanien. Beim täglichen Kontakt mit den besten Önologen des Landes packte ihn die Faszination für Wein und speziell für die Region Rioja. 2003 gründete er seine eigene, kleine Bodegas in Laguardia. Seine Riojas sind herrlich frisch, saftig und wunderbar unkonventionell.
