Abacela Tempranillo Cuvee 09

Delicate scents of candied cherries, cassis, candied red currant, and a distinct sense of rose petals mingle with toasty barrel spice in the nose. Flavors are of sweet black cherries, cassis, lots of toasty cocoa bean, and the wine finishes with a reiteration of the spicy barrel toast of the scent -- lovely spicy oak and black fruit.

This is the seventh release of our fruit forward, less tannic and earlier maturing Tempranillo, which was delicious upon bottling. The fruit sources included our West Slope block. The beautiful aromatics, focused red fruit flavors, and seamless finish will continue to improve over the next four to six years. - the winery

Previous Vintage Tasting Notes

From the winery: Vineyard maturity with consequent increased production has given us an opportunity to achieve one of our long-term goals, that is to produce a lighter style, more food friendly Tempranillo. The remaining obstacle, this grape's massive tannin structure, has been harnessed (in this vintage at least) and this Umpqua Cuvee is the outcome of that effort.

This Tempranillo delivers typical varietal character of blackberry, plum, cedar, spice and leather notes in both bouquet and flavor. It's more forward style will permit earlier enjoyment (i.e. less bottle ageing) with most daily fare or fancy entrees from shepherd's pie to veal Oscar. Enjoy!