Clos de l'Obac
A benchmark Priorat producer crafting densely concentrated, age-worthy wines from steep slate terroirs in Catalonia's most prestigious denomination.
Clos de l'Obac is a founding member of the modern Priorat movement, established in 1989 by the visionary Carme Canela i Rawles in the village of Gratallops. The winery is renowned for producing complex, mineral-driven red wines from meticulously farmed old vines planted on Priorat's distinctive llicorella slate slopes. Their flagship wine exemplifies the denomination's characteristic power and elegance, commanding international recognition and critical acclaim.
- Founded in 1989 by Carme Canela i Rawles, marking the beginning of Priorat's modern renaissance alongside René Barbier and Alvaro Palacios
- Located in Gratallops, one of five villages in Priorat DOQ, with vineyards planted on steep llicorella slate terrain at 250-550 meters elevation
- Produces approximately 40,000 bottles annually across multiple cuvées, maintaining strict quality control and traditional winemaking methods
- The flagship Clos de l'Obac wine (Grenache, Syrah, Carignan blend) typically scores 92-96 Parker points and ages gracefully for 20+ years
- Member of the prestigious Gratallops collective that revolutionized Priorat from a forgotten region to a world-class designation in the 1990s
- Practices organic viticulture on 16 hectares of owned vineyards with yields restricted to 15-20 hectoliters per hectare
- 2012 vintage marked a transition to full estate bottling, eliminating reliance on purchased grapes and ensuring complete quality control
Definition & Origin
Clos de l'Obac is a boutique winery and brand representing one vineyard parcel (the Obac plot) in Gratallops, Priorat DOQ, Catalonia. Founded in 1989, it emerged during Priorat's revolutionary transformation from a marginal, phylloxera-devastated region to one of Spain's most acclaimed wine territories. The winery epitomizes the modern Priorat philosophy: ultra-low yields, handcrafted viticulture on precipitous slate hillsides, and unoaked or minimally oaked expressions of indigenous Grenache blended with Syrah and Carignan.
- Pioneer of Priorat's contemporary identity alongside Alvaro Palacios and René Barbier
- Established when the region was largely abandoned and economically depressed
- Focuses exclusively on dry red wines from own-rooted, low-yielding vineyards
- Represents the new-wave Spanish regionalism that challenged Rioja and Ribera del Duero dominance
Why It Matters
Clos de l'Obac holds historical and qualitative significance as a catalyst for Priorat's international emergence in the 1990s. The winery's consistent production of world-class wines demonstrated that Priorat's terroir could rival established regions, thereby attracting investment and establishing a new benchmark for Spanish quality wine. Their commitment to site expression over technological intervention has influenced an entire generation of Spanish winemakers to prioritize authenticity and minimal intervention.
- Helped establish Priorat as a prestigious denomination worthy of €40-80+ bottle prices
- Showcased llicorella slate terroir's unique mineral signature and aging potential
- Influenced minimal-intervention winemaking practices across Mediterranean regions
- Created a sustainable economic model for small-scale, family-owned Catalan producers
Terroir & Viticulture
The Clos de l'Obac vineyard occupies 16 hectares of precipitous terrain on Gratallops's southern slopes, where llicorella slate—a dark, crumbly metamorphic rock—creates extreme growing conditions that concentrate fruit flavors and impart distinctive mineral characteristics. Carme Canela's organic farming approach prioritizes extreme low yields (15-20 hl/ha versus regional averages of 25-35), hand-harvesting, and minimal chemical intervention. The steep gradients (up to 60% slope) necessitate terraced cultivation and entirely manual labor, making these among Spain's most labor-intensive vineyards.
- Llicorella slate provides exceptional drainage, mineral uptake, and natural stress on vines
- Old vines (many planted in 1940s-1960s) produce concentrated fruit with lower yields
- Organic certification reflects commitment to natural winemaking philosophy
- Terrace maintenance requires specialized knowledge passed through generations
Winemaking & House Style
Clos de l'Obac employs traditional Catalan winemaking with contemporary precision: low-temperature fermentation in open wooden vats, extended skin contact for tannin extraction, and strategic use of new French oak (30-40% for 12-16 months) without overwhelming the wine's natural complexity. The flagship wine is a Grenache-dominant blend (typically 60-70% Grenache, 20-30% Syrah, 10-15% Carignan) designed for immediate pleasure yet capable of 25-year evolution. Recent vintages show a philosophy shift toward fresher, more vibrant expressions that emphasize minerality over extraction.
- Fermentation occurs in open wooden vats with natural yeast inoculation
- Blending occurs post-vinification, balancing each varietal's distinct characteristics
- Limited use of new oak preserves terroir expression and slate minerality
- Non-interventionist approach includes minimal fining and filtration
Recognition & Market Position
Clos de l'Obac commands consistent critical acclaim, with the flagship wine regularly achieving 93-95 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95-97 points from Jancis Robinson, and selections for major wine competition medals. The wine retails for €50-65 in primary markets (Spain, USA, UK, France) and trades at €80-120+ in secondary markets for aged vintages. International distribution includes over 30 countries, with particular strength in the USA, Scandinavia, and core European markets.
- Top-100 ranking in multiple 'best Spanish wines' selections since 1996
- Consistent critical recognition without extensive marketing investment
- Growing cult following among serious collectors and sommeliers
- Limited production (3,000-4,000 cases annually) maintains exclusivity and quality focus
How to Identify & Collect
The flagship Clos de l'Obac wine is identifiable by its distinctive label featuring a dark llicorella slate background with embossed lettering, and the producer's name prominently displayed. The bottle shape follows Burgundy conventions (sloped shoulders), and quality indicators include hand-applied capsules, natural cork closures, and minimal capsule wax (indicating artisanal production). Serious collectors recognize the 1995, 1998, 2001, 2005, and 2009 vintages as landmark expressions; recent 2015-2019 bottlings show enhanced freshness without sacrificing complexity.
- Distinctive packaging emphasizes slate heritage and minimal-intervention philosophy
- Primary market availability through specialty retailers and direct-to-consumer channels
- Secondary market depth exists for pre-2010 vintages, offering investment potential
- Clone variations exist: earlier vintages show more extraction; recent releases emphasize minerality and freshness
Clos de l'Obac presents an intensely mineral, black-fruit-driven profile dominated by dark plum, blackberry, and licorice aromatics with secondary notes of graphite, slate dust, and garrigue (wild herbs). On the palate, the wine demonstrates exceptional concentration and texture—velvety tannins frame layers of cassis, dark cherry, and white pepper, with a distinctive saline minerality that lingers through a persistently dry, precise finish. Medium-bodied yet powerful, the wine balances Grenache's ripe fruitiness with Syrah's spice and structural complexity, revealing leather, tobacco, and earth notes with 8-10 years of bottle age.