La Mimbrera de Exopto 2016

I didn't get the Burgundian nose in the 2016 La Mimbrera that I saw in the 2015. For proprietor and winemaker Tom Puyabert, 2016 is not a truly Atlantic vintage, and this feels somewhat more Mediterranean than the 2015, with notes of rosemary, thyme and even esparto grass, not something I have seen in many other wines from Rioja. The tannins might be amplified by the strong chalky sensation from the high limestone content of the soils, which also impart a special tastiness to the wines. It has a sapid, almost salty finish. There are more tannins, and the wine feels a bit young and in need of some more time in the bottle. 500 bottles were filled in April 2018.

La Mimbrera is a single co-planted parcel of 0.5 hectares in Ábalos that was abandoned before Tom Payaubert came to the rescue. Based on Tempranillo with 25% Grenache and 5% Viura, this lightly wooded red is focused, refreshing and elegant with white pepper and clove aromas, chalky minerality and sweet, textured red fruit. 2021-28