Abacela

[Cole]

Abacela is far and away the best winery in Southern Oregon. Their Syrah is quite good, the Cab franc is very soft and flavorful. Merlot is nice, but not that nice. Tempranillo is what Earl Jones came to Roseburg to grow after having done extensive climate research across the US to try and match the growing conditions of great Spanish Rioja. They are getting excellent reviews for it, and deservedly so. I loved the 2000 in barrel! More than any other So Or winery they are paying attention to clones, yields, and careful but not overly manipulative winemaking. A new steep hillside vineyard with different soil type should produce a different take on Temp when it comes online in a few years. Also, like the top OR wineries up north, they are asking a pretty penny for their wine. Worth it? Who knows, that's up to each individual. But definitely a winery to watch from the Pacific Northwest!