- VineLines Dispatch: Tasting rooms continue to swirl around Woodinville
- Walla Walla Valley wine industry helps raise $55K for food bank
- VineLines Dispatch captures late scramble amid early freeze
- L’Ecole No. 41 recruits Marcus Rafanelli to take over as winemaker
- VinesLines Dispatch swings along Columbia River, Walla Walla Valley
- Alexandria Nicole Cellars uses white Rhône blend to lead Great Northwest Invite
- VineLines Dispatch coverage of 2019 vintage continues
- VineLine Dispatches from Harvest 2019
- ‘Slow and steady harvest’ forecast for Northwest grapes in 2019
- VineLines Dispatch: Northwest wineries fill lists of USA Today readers
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%
Website
Latest News
-
VineLines Dispatch: Tasting rooms continue to swirl around WoodinvilleIndustry churn for Washington state’s wine industry during the...
- January 3, 2020
-
Walla Walla Valley wine industry helps raise $55K for food bankWALLA WALLA, Wash. – It began in 2011 as...
- December 23, 2019
-
VineLines Dispatch captures late scramble amid early freezeThe final week of Great Northwest Wine photojournalist Richard...
- December 7, 2019
0 comments