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Abacela 2014 Barrel Select Graciano, Umpqua Valley, $30

By on June 3, 2017

One of the most obscure Spanish grape varieties grown in the Pacific Northwest, Graciano has found a home at Abacela where founding winemaker Earl Jones has been doting on it since he established his vineyard in 1995. In those 20 years, he’s approved of it 20 percent when it came time to harvest, and 2014 vintage ranked among those for this single acre. Rioja winemakers traditionally use the low-yielding variety as a blender, but Andrew Wenzl accurately predicted the quality of these three barrels. It’s inky black with aromas of plum, dusty blueberry and milk chocolate. Smoky plum and pomegranate flavors offer juicy acidity and pleasing medium tannins akin to espresso grounds. This earned a gold medal at the 2017 SavorNW Wine Awards. Enjoy it with roasted lamb, charcuterie or smoked brats.

Rating: Outstanding!

Production: 69 cases

Alcohol: 13.6%

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About Great Northwest Wine

Articles credited to Great Northwest Wine are authored by Eric Degerman and other contributors. In most cases, these are wine reviews that are judged blind by the Great Northwest Wine tasting panel.

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