Southern Oregon winemaker Kiley Evans worked with some of the Northwest’s top Grenache during his time at famed Abacela in the Umpqua Valley. Now, he’s showing a flair with grapes grown an hour to the south by Ross Allen, a third-generation farmer who also oversees 1,400 acres of nut orchards in the Central Valley of California. Evans keeps the focus on the fruit with his brief barrel program of nine months in 70% two-year-old French oak. That helps explain the cherry and cane berry flavors, which get a touch of sweet plum and blackberry jam thanks to the addition of Syrah (10%). The wine also has a heap of allspice and other baking spices, a pleasing texture and an enjoyable finish. Suggested pairings include pancetta-wrapped chicken thighs with sweet potato succotash and fresh herbs de Provence. Last fall, it earned a gold medal the Great Northwest Invitational Wine Competition in the Columbia Gorge. This winter, judges at the prestigious TEXSOM International Wine Awards near Dallas, Texas, handed this a best-of-class award and the elevated medal as a “Judges’ Selection.”
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 170 cases
Alcohol: 14.2%
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