Abacela has been coming on strong for some time as one of the shining stars in the southern Oregon wine scene. They have championed Tempranillo as a varietal that can achieve greatness in the clay soils of the Umpqua Valley and their estate reserve has received substantial national attention. The new tasting room is a little on the fancy side with its flat screen tvs and abstract sculptures, but it still has a nice open feel. They feature a number of tasting flights that highlight the rather large number of varietals they produce from both estate and non-estate grown fruit.
This is an Albarino that I remember loving from past vintages and the 2010 doesn't disappoint. The nose has notes of lime, pineapple, creamsicle cream, and a touch of soapiness. It explodes on the palate with a strong dose of freshly squeezed pineapple juice, green apple, and lychee. The tropical fruit sings through the long finish with little staccato notes of cilantro and other green herbs. This is a light to medium bodied but complex wine. This Albarino certainly falls on the tart (almost sour) end of the spectrum but it softens and mellows nicely as it warms. A bit of nuttiness even begins to show itself. If you are going for a picnic at Benson State Park this summer, I would most definitely bring at least one bottle of this along!
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