One of the outstanding wineries of Southern Oregon, as we march on another great Oregon Wine Month we bring you the wines of Abacela. Founded by Earl and Hilda Jones, Abacela is located in the Umpqua Valley AVA and was the first winery to commercially grow and produce Tempranillo wines in the Pacific Northwest. It is no surprise that these wines performed particularly well on my 2020 Tempranillo Report.
In 1995 the Jonses planted at their Cox's Rock Parcel, Abacela’s first vineyard, which was named for James and Elizabeth Cox who settled the property in 1849. It has southerly slopes that average 12% grade, and elevation ranging from 526 to 640 ft, with an average of 590 ft. Earl Jones has served as Abacela’s founding winemaker from 1996 until 2008 and since then Andrew Wenzl was promoted to winemaker.
Andrew’s new wines are absolutely terrific across the board. White and Rose wines have great freshness while the red wines possess awesome depth and concentration. Look to the 2019 Abacela Rose (WWB, 91) which is bright and has amazing freshness and good length. I loved the 2019 Abacela Albarino (WWB, 91) which has lovely green apple and melon flavors. Look to the 2015 Abacela ‘Reserve’ Tempranillo (WWB, 91) which is a deep and layered wine that will cellar well for the next decade. This is one of the top Tempranillo bottling out of Southern Oregon. Learn more about this great historic Oregon winery at https://www.abacela.com Here is the great new lineup by Abacela.
2019 Abacela Rose- This brightly colored Rose shows light red rose petals that meld with the bright red fruits on the nose. The palate has terrific freshness with orange rind and strawberry flavors that mingle with a soft texture and a wonderfully brightness. This has really good length and astringency. Drink 2020-2025- 91
2019 Abacela Albarino- Crafted from estate fruit, the 2019 Abacela Albarino opens with kiwi and green apple tones that come together with shades of nutmeg on the nose. The palate is plush showing good freshness and verve alongside the green apple and melon tones. Drink 2020-2025- 91
2017 Abacela ‘Fiesta’ Tempranillo- The ‘Fiesta’ Tempranillo shows forward dark fruit and cocoa powder flavors with a good freshness. Enjoy this excellent bottling over the next several years. Drink 2020-2024- 88
2016 Abacela ‘Barrel Select’ Tempranillo- The ‘Barrel Select’ is a great new Tempranillo that was largely aged in neutral French oak prior to bottling. Ripe red and dark fruits with chocolate and tar greet you on the palate, with lively acidity. This has the stuffing and acidity to cellar over the next decade. Drink 2020-2028- 90
2015 Abacela ‘Reserve’ Tempranillo- The nose is exceedingly good with layers of chocolate woven together with pipe tobacco, leather and damp earth that all combine in the glass. The palate has a polished texture with ripe blackberry cobbler and leather tones that mingle with shades of blood orange and bulls blood. Great to enjoy in its youth this great older wine will cellar well for another decade. Drink 2020-2030- 91
2016 Abacela Tinta Amarela- The 2016 Tinta Amarela has great freshness with a core of dark fruits with suggestions of dark chocolate shavings and underbrush tones. Lightly tannic, enjoy this great wine over the next several years. Drink 2020-2025- 89
2015 Abacela ‘Reserve’ Syrah- Deeply colored in the glass, the 2015 Abacela ‘Reserve’ Syrah shows creosote and bacon fat tones on the nose with layers of dark fruits that all combine in the glass. The palate has good freshness with medium bodied dark fruit and chocolate tones alongside a good vein of tension. Drink 2020-2025- 90