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Abacela 2009 Merlot, Southern Oregon, $20
The Joneses didn’t migrate across the country to make many wines from mainstream grapes, and this is one of the few that fits in that category. In the hands of winemaker Andrew Wenzl, this is a classic Merlot made in the Northwest style. He brought in grapes from the estate Fault Line Vineyards, as well as two locations in the Rogue Valley. This enchanting wine opens with aromas of brown sugar, Cherry Garcia ice cream, blackberry and even a whisper of sizzling bacon. On the palate, it is loaded with dark and exciting flavors, including cola, black tea, black olive and ripe dark fruit. We even detected something that reminded us of chocolate-covered orange peel. It’s all backed with bright acidity and moderate tannins. This perfectly balanced red is delicious now and should continue to provide delicious happiness for the next decade.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 708 cases
Alcohol: 14%
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