Est. 2001. Importer & Distributor of Fine Wine, Craft Spirits, and Ginjo Sake

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Exopto Cellars
Tom Puyaubert
Tom Puyaubert
Country of Origin: Spain
Location: Rioja
People: David Sampedro, Tom Puyaubert & Javier Gomez, Owners | Tom Puyaubert, Winemaker
Supplier: http://www.oleimports.com


David, Tom and Javier became friends through their affinity for Rugby. They later found that they had much more in common, and in 2003, Exopto Cellars was born. The man behind the wine is the very talented and passionate David Sampedro. They currently own 15 acres of vineyards. Their first vintage was 2003.

They are located in the Rioja DO (Zone 3), within the Rioja Alavesa subzone; the winery is located in the town of Laguardia. The vineyards are in the town of Abalos, at an altitude of 2014 ft. Of the 3 districts in Rioja (Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Baja), the Rioja Alavesa is the coolest and has the highest amounts of precipitation.

Climate: The average temperature between April and October is 61'F with 24.4 inches of rainfall yearly. The moderate warm days and cool nights of this Continential Atlantic climate forces the grapes to ripen slowly, resulting in wines that are fresher, more aromatic and with a greater fruit flavor. Exopto's vineyards are exposed to cooler temperatures and less rain that its neighboring producers within the Rioja Alavesa zone. As a result of these climatic conditions, we encounter: high skin to juice ratios, low yields, which lead to greater flavor concentration and aromatic expression.

Soil: The topsoil is composed of clay and limestone with rocks and sand as its subsoil. The cool temperatures allows for a longer ripening period, while this soil also allows for water retention, preventing drought. The subsoil (sand and rocks) is low in pH and poor in organic material, resulting in grapes that possess greater sensorial acidity and the resulting lower yields produce smaller berries hence greater flavor intensity.

What makes Exopto unique? A genuine terroir-ist, the truly brilliant and innovative winemaker David Sampedro. The combination of soil and climate, freshness, aromatics and fruit concentration. Small production wines. Tempranillo vines are between 50-90 years old and the Graciano vines are 30 to 100 years old contributing to the small yields.

Items
Exopto Cellars 2010 Bozeto Net Price Reviews —
Exopto Cellars 2011 'Bozeto' Net Price Reviews —
Exopto Cellars 2007 'Exopto' Net Price Reviews —
Reviews
Exopto Cellars 2007 'Exopto'
Rating: 90

An unusual blend of graciano (60%), tempranillo (30%) and garnacha, this wine's candied aromas of French oak sweeten a vast store of fruit underneath. It comes across in a youthful blast of flavor and may well gain sophistication with bottle age

- Wine & Spirits (12/1/2010)

Exopto Cellars 2007 'Exopto'
Rating: 93

The 2007 Exopto is made up of 60% Graciano, 30% Tempranillo, and 10% Garnacha that went through ML in barrel, 6 months in oak on its lees with batonnage, and 8 months resting quietly in French oak. Deep purple-colored, it gives up a nose of pencil lead, mineral, espresso, tobacco, and blackberry. Dense, structured, and lifted by vibrant acidity, this is a lengthy, complex offering that merits 5-6 years of cellaring. Its drinking window will extend from 2015 to 2027

- The Wine Advocate (4/1/2010)

Exopto Cellars 2010 Bozeto
Rating: 90+

Exopto Cellars' purple-colored 2010 Bozeto de Exopto is a blend of 50% Garnacha, 40% Tempranillo, and 10% Graciano aged in oak for 9 months. Aromas of crushed pepper, balsam wood, violets, cinnamon, and blackberry inform the nose of a sweetly-fruited, vibrant, well-balanced Rioja. It can be approached now but has the stuffing to fill out for another 1-2 years. This outstanding value will deliver plenty of enjoyment through 2018+

- The Wine Advocate (6/30/2011)

Exopto Cellars 2011 'Bozeto'
Rating: 90

Bright purple. Expressive aromas of blackberry, woodsmoke, spicecake and cracked pepper. Intensely flavored but lithe, offering penetrating cherry and blackberry flavors that show bright floral lift. Finishes with fine-grained tannins and lingering notes of licorice and bitter cherry.

- International Wine Cellar (10/1/2012)

Exopto Cellars 2011 'Bozeto'
Rating: 88

Made from an unusual blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano, all planted in organic vineyards, the 2011 Bozeto’s Grenache component was fermented and aged in concrete, and the Tempranillo and Graciano were fermented and aged in oak for nine months. A beautiful perfume of raspberries, crushed rocks, black cherries, tobacco leaf and earth soars from the glass of this dense ruby/purple-tinged wine. Medium-bodied with sweet tannin, decent acidity and a fresh finish, it is meant to be enjoyed over the next several years.

- The Wine Advocate (8/1/2012)