Abacela Winery, Umpqua Valley (Oregon) Albariño 2019

 Over its 25 year history, Abacela quietly developed a well earned reputation for Tempranillo and Albariño.  It also grows many other varieties in its 75 acre vineyard located in the Umpqua Valley in Southern Oregon.  As the region’s pioneers of Spanish varieties, owners Earl and Hilda Jones conducted detailed studies of the climate and soils before planting Albariño on north facing slopes.  With its initial 2001 bottling, Abacela may have been the first American winery to produce an Albariño.  Its recent vintages of Albarino are impressive.  Made from its 12 acres, the 2019 Albariño is a textbook example.  It begins with bright apple, lime and citrus aromas that open up in the glass to show a minerally and floral side.  Medium bodied, nicely textured, and slightly tropical, it always keeps to the brisk, zippy message leading to a long, persistent finish.  1,500 cases produced.