So, here we go…another positive recommendation of Tablas Creek Vineyard from another wine writer. Are you tired of this yet? I hope not because the great Rhone style wines poured by Gustavo in the tasting room at Tablas Creek were clearly a highlight of my afternoon in Paso Robles.
Just down the winding lane from Adelaida Cellars is Tablas Creek Vineyard, a 120 acre vineyard which uses organic farming techniques, hand harvesting, and fermentation with native yeasts to produce world class Chateauneuf-du-Pape style wines grown in the limestone clay soils of the western part of Paso Robles. Certified organic in 2003, part of the vineyard is now using biodynamic techniques as well. The vineyard is a joint effort of the Perrin Family of Chateau de Beaucastel and Robert Haas of Vineyard Brands, both prominent families in the international wine world. The vines themselves are from Beaucastel Vineyards in France and and were quarantined upon arrival in the States to make sure all the *bugs* were worked out (longing for the good old days when we could bring grapevines, large bottles of liquid, and meat cleavers in our carry-on bags without drama..but I digress). Grown at Tablas Creek are grapes typical of Chateauneuf-du-Pape: Mourvedre, Grenache Noir, Syrah, Counoise as reds and Roussane, Viognier, Marsanne, and Grenache Blanc as whites. The tradition of blending selected varietals and the use of French oak are continued at Tablas Creek.
Fortunately, when my daughter and I arrived at 3pm on a warm, sunny weekday, not too many people were in the lovely, large tasting room offering a view of the casks in the winery through glass windows and more than enough room to have tastes and chat. Gustavo was knowledgeable and I loved all of the wines which he poured. The highlights?
**Roussanne 2009 – Ahhhh…the Roussanne! I continue to love the honeysuckle and pear aromas and tastes with a bit of oak thrown in. Honestly, if you enjoy white wine, you must find this varietal and give it a try. This selection was made from 100% Roussanne grapes which were estate grown.
**Rose 2011 – I have had a new appreciation for Rose wines lately since, as the truth be told, I’ve had plenty of tastings! Tablas Creek’s Rose is made from 58% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache Noir, and 12% Counoise. It’s very dry and thanks to the Mourvedre base, you may want to pair it with some serious food. The three varietals are from their oldest block of vineyards and co-fermented which means that there is plenty of structure to this Rose. This is not your high school Rose if you know what I mean…
**Cote de Tablas 2010 – And now for the Syrah~ With 46% Grenache Noir, 39% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, and 5% Counoise, this estate grown wine had spice thanks to the Grenache, meatiness from the Syrah, earthy notes from the Mourvedre and more spice from the Counoise. Gustavo said that this wine could age fifteen years in the cellar, but I don’t know too many people who could wait that long!!
**Esprit Chateau de Beaucastel Blanc 2010 – This is the wine I purchased after our tasting! Consisting of 60% Roussanne, 35% Grenache Blanc, and 5% Picpoul (giving more tropical notes and minerality), this blend showed tropical fruits such as mango and passion fruit, ginger, and pear on the nose as well as honey and more tropical fruit on the palate. Its long finish with a fair amount of minerality was magnifique~ This has 13.5% alcohol and will pair well with roasted vegetables, Asian stir fry, foods cooked with olive oil or garlic (ok-that means pretty much everything many of us enjoy!). Its structure and balance were just what I was looking for. Its cost was $40.00 and well worth it!
Tablas Creek Vineyards is a not-to-be-missed, world class winery to visit in Paso Robles for delicious wine in the Old World tradition but with the American spirit! A perfect blend of two great varietals.
Cheers! ~ Cindy
Paso Robles is a fantastic place to go if you love wine – so many of us think of Napa and Sonoma as the premier places in California to taste wine. And it’s true, there are unbelievably world class wineries there and you’ll be reading about some of them in the days to come. But if you have a chance, enjoy the many wineries in Paso Robles and appreciate their winemaking techniques, unique terroirs, down to earth people, and beauty of the area. It has been on the rise for awhile and I know that there is no stopping them now. For more information about the Paso Robles AVA just click on the link!!
