Oregon Wine Press highly recommends a handful of Southern Oregon wines in their February issue.

Non-Bordeaux Beauties

Abacela 2008 Tempranillo, Southern Oregon • $20 (1835 cases) 

The class of a classy class continues to be Abacela’s skillful take on Temp. A crescendo of components and beautiful balance are what it’s all about here. Expansive flowers, hints of coffee and caramel on the nose, plush blackberry in the mid mouth supported by silky tannins.

Cliff Creek 2006 Estate Syrah, Southern Oregon • $25 (1760 cases) Another winner from a winery that’s making a singular statement with its rendition of the Rhone valley’s regal red wine grape. A chorus of full, distinctive flavors — cocoa, cola, almonds, smoke, leather, cassis — blend harmoniously in the mouth. Drinking nicely now, but well balanced for cellaring.

Chateau Lorane 2006 Tempranillo, Umpqua Valley • $20 (76 cases)
This is an irresistible immediate drinker that offers dark chocolate and earthiness with hints of smoke and youthfully fresh fruit. Not complex but very tasty.

Abacela 2008 Syrah, Southern Oregon • $19 (292 cases) Youthfulness keeps this deep, dense wine from showing its full potential. But a slightly hard edge can’t hide the expansive fruit whose rich, plummy and bright berry flavors lie just beneath the surface waiting to burst forth with a bit more time in the bottle.

Kandarian 2009 “Anomaly” Mystery Block Zinfandel, Applegate Valley • $20 (100 cases)
Who says Zinful wine comes only from California? This Southern Oregon Applegate Valley example proves otherwise. Juicy, red cherry fruit is complemented by a dollop of chocolate and bit of butterscotch. The result is a flavor-filled quaff you’ll want to pop in your mouth like candy.

Delfino 2008 Tempranillo, Umpqua Valley • $25 (156 cases) Lots of flavor makes for current drinkability with considerable character. Tasters said sí; sí to coffee, chocolate, cherry, caramel and currants all wrapped in an invitingly soft, round robe.