Abbot's Table 2005 from Owen Roe
by Jean Yates
It's here! Owen Roe's Abbot's Table Red Wine 2005 $18.89/$20.99
A "Wine for all People"
Some things just hit the sweet spot - everybody seems to like them. Such is the character of Owen Roe Winery's Abbot's Table, a "Wine for all People".
This wine has something for everybody. A blend of eight different red wines grapes, David says this wine has "no Counoise this year, and a bit more Zinfandel ". More than half of the blend is the traditional Bordeaux grapes Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. The extra zest, the secret ingredient, is the addition of Zinfandel, Pinot noir, Grenache, Malbec, and Syrah, from some of the best Washington and Oregon vineyards.
There's really nothing else on the market quite like "the Abbot's". It's a conversation starter, with rich, easy drinking flavors, a super-appealing scent of raspberries in the nose, hints of smoke and spice, and that over-the-top lushness that comes from the Zinfandel in the wine. The range of grape types keeps the scent and flavors changing constantly, and it just wins people over.
"A wine for all occasions and all people" says winemaker David O'Reilly. This is such a rich, yet easy drinking red wine that can be paired with the broadest range of foods. The Zinfandel component pairs beautifully with zesty Italian fare. The Bordeaux varieties scream for hearty beef dishes. While the Pinot Noir makes the Abbot's Table perfect with lamb and game. Of course, the Syrah and Grenache work masterfully with spicy cuisine. Then again, the Abbot's Table just tastes great by itself.
Grapes in Abbot's Table:
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel, Malbec, Pinot noir, Grenache
Winemaker David O'Reilly was looking to create a wine from his childhood. Born and raised in Ireland, O'Reilly's family often served wine at the dinner table, and he has fond memories of a Claret, a Bordeaux blend, that was rich, warm, silky, smooth and flavorful.
Abbot's Table is O'Reilly's tribute to his memories of Ireland. Of all the high-end, premium wines he produces, O'Reilly said Abbot's Table is one of the most fun to produce, and the wine that pays the bills. David really goes all out with this wine, and some of Owen Roe's best, single vineyard fruit ends up in the bottle. O'Reilly says that Abbot's Table is made before the high-end Owen Roe wines, and the fruit is selected from the same sources.
Abbot's Table will ship to you in Mid-August. Order now to assure you get some of this fast selling hit.
TWO MORE WINES from Owen Roe
Owen Roe Yakima Red 04 $37.76/$41.95
David is a strong believer in the exceptional winegrape growing conditions of the Yakima Valley of Washington State. While most of the buzz is about Walla Walla, David is quietly proving that Yakima can grow some of the NW's best grapes.
David is passionate about the vineyard, focused with a laser-like precision on finding the right grapes to grow on the right site. He's brought national attention to Yakima's Dubrul and Rosa Mystic Vineyards already, with high scoring wines from both sites in the last issue of Wine Spectator.
We're predicting that by the time people figure out the western Yakima Valley, David will be lightyears ahead of most of them. He's establishing vineyards, working with owners to refine their crops to his standards, and is so sure of the future of the region, he's building a winery there.
The 2004 Yakima Red gives you an opportunity to try his take on the best that western Yakima has to offer. It's a blend of Cabernet Franc, Dubrul Vineyard Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from his new Slide Mountain Vineyard and the Rosa Vineyard's Mystica Block.
David says he's most excited about this wine, of all his 2004's, and the only reason it's still available is that, for some reason, Wine Spectator did not include a review of it in the recent issue that gave the Owen Roe Dubrul Cab 94 points. A 'sleeper', try it before the rating comes out and it instantly disappears.
Owen Roe Dubrul Vineyard Chardonnay 05
$25.16/$27.95David takes this very limited wine (28 cases made) to wine dinners, and he says it creates a "wow moment" every time. He compares it in style to a good Meursault, combining gorgeous aromatics and intense tropical fruit flavors with a racy acidity and clean finish. Bottled in May 2006, it's young, drinking well now, and could be cellared for several years.
