Abacela 2012 Estate Select Tempranillo, Umpqua Valley, $32
This vintage marks the 16th release of Earl and Hilda Jones’ flagship wine, a selection of blocks throughout their Fault Line Vineyards from Oct. 3-9. Their Oregon-grown winemaker, Andrew Wenzl, chose a barrel program of 44% new French oak which accounts for aromas of anise, cola, black cherry, strawberry taffy and dark honey. On the palate, it’s mouthfilling as the fruit profile of black cherry, blackberry and mocha stays just ahead of tannin profile akin to black currant skins and dried blueberry. While the best is yet to come as these Temps only begin to spread their wines five years after their birth year, those who refuse to wait should enjoy this with Braised Lamb Shank with Creamy Polenta & Parsley Gremolata or Cochinillo Asado — Spanish roast suckling pig. Abacela recently added Maryland, Massachusetts and Montana to its database, giving its shipping rights to 28 states.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 596 cases
Alcohol: 14.8%
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