- Tinte Cellars donation drive for Ukraine enters final week
- Jackson Family Wines invests in Walla Walla vines, wines
- 2022 Idaho Winery of the Year: Holesinsky Vineyard and Winery
- 2022 Idaho Winery to Watch: Rivaura Vineyards and Winery
- 2022 Washington Winery of the Year: Westport Winery Garden Resort
- 2022 Washington Winery to Watch: Liberty Lake Wine Cellars
- 2022 Oregon Winery of the Year: Chris James Cellars
- Long path of Andrew Riechers leads to early acclaim for Audeant Wines
- The Wine Knows: Upchurch hits sweet spot with Cab on Red Mountain
- Northwest Merlot remains memorable in talented hands
Abacela 2014 Barrel Select Graciano, Umpqua Valley, $30
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%
Subscribe to our Wine of the Week newsletter
0 comments