Winery - Abacela
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is the winery’s first bottling of this Bordeaux blending grape It is a curiosity that will be of interest to those in search of the unique and rare, but this does not convince me that the grape should be the centerpiece of a varietal wine. There’s tangy, plummy fruit, searing acids and very astringent tannins. But the wine is incomplete—there’s no middle.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Juicy and spicy and tannic, this might be an old-vine Zinfandel—it’s got that sort of briary, slightly gamy scent to it. It’s going to fare well with Zin-friendly foods such as pastas and pizzas; there’s an undertone of ripe tomato to the fruit.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is a substantial wine whose raspberry, pomegranate and wild cherry flavors are enhanced with striking minerality. The aromas suggest more to come as the wine develops, offering teasing hints of mint, vanilla and lead pencil. Give this plenty of cellaring and see what happens.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is certainly one of the most distinctive Syrahs made anywhere in the New World. It has French elegance, including some garrigue-like scents— herbs and cured meats and pepper. Big blue and black fruits, lots of spice and a chocolaty finish tag this as a serious effort. Though the alcohol is written as 14.1%, it feels lighter. The brightness of the fruit and the freshness of the acids proclaim it as Northwest, but without the chewy tannins or excessive use of new oak that disguises the actual terroir. Fine effort.
Tags:
Abacela Syrah - 2005
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Abacela’s tenth vintage of Tempranillo suggests it’s time to call the “experiment” a success. It’s savory and scented with cured meats; a spicy red that marries black currant fruit to pepper and more exotic spices—curry, cumin and five spice. Tannins are tongue-scrapingly dry, but is there a better match for a thick steak?
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Here’s a light, spicy, pretty red wine, mixing juicy and sweet plum and purple grape flavors with plenty of acid. You might pick up hints of tobacco, a little white pepper; the acids keep the wine fresh and the fruit is youthful and vibrant.
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Surely there is no other Syrah-Tempranillo-Merlot-Dolcetto-Graciano-Petit Verdot-Nebbiolo-Cabernet Franc-Grenache-Muscat-Viognier-Tannat-Malbec-Cabernet Sauvignon in the world? What’s it taste like? Well, red table wine is as good a description as can be offered. Racy red fruits, mineral, bitter chocolate, good grip, spicy tannins—bring on the burgers.
Tags:
Abacela Red Blend - NV
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A blend of Umpqua and Applegate valley fruit, this spicy, tannic wine sports a bit of citrus peel, anise, earth and vanilla for added interest. Tannins are characteristically hard and tight, and it is quite angular at this time, showing some green tea in the tannins. Air it out.
Tags:
Abacela Syrah - 2002
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
When Abacela does a kitchen sink blend, they don’t hold anything back. Thirteen varieties from seven vineyards go into this gem, but rather than creating an unfocused mélange, the result is a lush, fragrant, fruit salad of a red, with some nice new oak and a solid core of berries and plums.
Tags:
Abacela Red Blend - NV
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Intense, spicy and richly fruity nose. Already meaty, bloody and gamy; this really hits the mark for this variety. Good acids, weight and balance. It’s a very sexy wine, with a long, concentrated finish that shows extracted berry fruit and layers of mineral and earth, with just the barest hint of roasted barrel.
Tags:
Abacela Syrah - 1999
0 out of 0 people thought this note was helpful.
