The fruit is sourced from vineyards near Haro, at the foot of Montes Obarenes, where soils are chalky-clay with a high limestone content. Here the River Ebro enters the Rioja region bringing clouds and cooler temperatures, resulting in excellent quality white grapes. Predominantly Viura, with 25% Tempranillo Blanco - the grapes are hand-picked into 200Kg crates, and are hand-sorted further at the winery. 80% of the must is fermented and aged on fine lees in new French oak barrels, and the remaining 20% is aged on fine lees in egg-shaped concrete tanks.
"The stunning white 2021 Montes Obarenes has to be one of the most elegant whites from Rioja. It's very complete and does not lack ripeness (14.5% alcohol), freshness (3.45), complexity and nuance, elegance and persistence. It has a golden color, a captivating nose of herbs, flowers, spices and pollen, a seamless palate with vibrant and pristine flavors and great precision. It was produced with a blend of 60% Viura, 25% Tempranillo Blanco and 5% each Malvasía Riojana, Calagraño and Garnacha Blanca that fermented separately with indigenous yeasts and matured in French oak barrels for 18 months. 7,463 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2023." 95+ Luis Gutiérrez The Wine Advocate
