Tasting Notes:
Dark purple. Exotically perfumed aromas of fresh dark berries, toasty oak, incense and fresh flowers, with a mineral element adding vivacity. Vibrant cherry and blackberry flavors show very good clarity, gaining in sweetness and depth with air. Fresh, spicy and nicely concentrated for the vintage, finishing smoky, spicy and long, with fine-grained tannins.
Bodegas Obalo sits on a vantage point near Ábalos, and from this point the building shows off the sleek elegance of its structure and form. The winery is located in a small part of Rioja called The Sonsierra. With its hilly terrain (550 mts / above see level), there are numerous small vineyards that are often owned by single families that have carved out terraces from the foothills of the Sierra Cantabria right down to the left bank of the river Ebro.
In the settings surrounding Bodegas Obalo there are small plots of vineyards, sometimes hidden.
The clay-limestone composition of the soils helps to alleviate the effect of the summer rains on the grapes, specifically allowing the grapes to maintain their size. These soils grant the grapes a delicate aroma and smoothness, despite posing challenges in terms of vineyard management.
At the same time there are poor in organic matter and nutrients suitable for growing vines. Here, grapes are selected with patience.
Obalo Crianza is elaborated using some of the oldest Tempranillo vines from the area. Aged 12 months in new French oak barrels
(all tempranillo; aged for a year in new French oak): Dark purple. Exotically perfumed aromas of fresh dark berries, toasty oak, incense and fresh flowers, with a mineral element adding vivacity. Vibrant cherry and blackberry flavors show very good clarity, gaining in sweetness and depth with air. Fresh, spicy and nicely concentrated for the vintage, finishing smoky, spicy and long, with fine-grained tannins. - Josh Raynolds - Vinous 91 Points
Obalo is a consistently very good to excellent example of Rioja crianza. This is full and oaky up front, with tobacco, vanilla and briary black-fruit scents. A flush, voluminous palate is balanced and delivers earthy blackberry and chocolate flavors in front of a lively finish with a touch of buttery oak. Drink through 2019. - M.S. - Wine Enthusiast Magazine 90 Points
This red shows black cherry, licorice and mineral flavors, with leafy and smoky notes that mingle on the polished palate. Balanced and fresh, with moderate tannins and balsamic acidity. A savory style. Drink now through 2021. 2,000 cases imported. – TM - Wine Spectator Magazine 90 Points
Ripe and lush, the 2011 Óbalo Crianza is pure Tempranillo aged in a mixture of new and used French oak barrels for one year. It has a balsamic nose with plenty of oak-related aromas of spices and toast wrapped around a core of ripe berries. The medium-bodied palate has abundant grainy tannins that end slightly dry. 60,000 bottles produced. - Robert Parker 88 Points
