Tobelos Crianza 2019

Tobelos is one of those wines that exemplifies to perfection how just the right amount of oak can make a wine balanced, showing a very pleasant sensation of fruit on the palate, and complemented by a long list of nuances that originate from its ageing, yet nothing attracts too much attention and there are no rough edges, as it is nicely rounded-off, a wine to enjoy from the first to the last glass. It could be described as somewhere between a classic and a modern Rioja, but there are so many labels and styles around at present that we prefer to call it a fine wine, a fine Tempranillo and a fine contemporary Rioja. Tobelos displays a brilliant cherry colour with a rim that makes a gradual appearance and plenty of density. On the nose, the first aromas offer whiffs of leather, but its complexity is revealed as the wine opens up and gains intensity and volume. Even before the first sip, we are arrested by its aromas that invite us to carry on...enjoying the wafts! We discover there a whole host of notes: chocolate, liquorice, toffee...balsamic and mineral hints... and the wonderful realisation that everything is perfectly integrated. Once on the palate, we can appreciate its creaminess; it is warm, voluminous, powerful, fleshy, a rounded wine that in no way deceives. What is more, its excellent balance between sweetness and acidity is also inviting, urging another sip, and despite not being overly long, there is a predominance of fruit on the aftertaste. Quite a discovery - spurring us on to hurry back to Logroño and search out other gems like this one.