Modern in thinking and packaging, a lot of stuff they do harks back to the past. El Mozo is a small family project with only 9 hectares of vines across 18 vineyards, all of which are deep in Basque Rioja, where traditional forms of viticulture and vinification are still practiced. Many of the organic vineyards were planted by Gorka and Itxaso’s grandparents over 70 years ago. Everything is done by hand, with no yeast, fining agents or SO2 added. The goal here is to let the wine express itself without the crutch of oak - the best wines are made in the vineyard not the winery indeed!
These are striking, outrageous wines. Herrigoia is a multi plot, multi variety field blend (including whites) made via carbonic maceration as in Beaujolais! Malaspiedras is a more standard offering actually, 100% Tempranillo with a lick of oak. Their Cosmonauta range is where they really fly, Barranco de Aqua is a white, made with the famous Riojan white variety Viura, it is rich and deep. MIssion a Marte (mission to Mars) is an orange style wine made with red and white varieties. The Cosmonauta reds are En Paraje, with is a big juicy, compulsive style, whereas Viaje En El Tiempo is above verve and freshness.
Take a walk on the wild side with El Mozo, if interested read more about the evolution of Rioja HERE.
