The Data

Country   USA

Appellation   Paso Robles

Varietal   White Blend

Retail Price   $27

ABV   13.5%

Score   4.5 Stars/95 points

In the Glass

Brilliant, golden straw color.

The aromatics perfectly marry tart and acidic fruits with rich, juicy, and sweet fruit. Waves of white peach, green melon, pear, and mangosteen, fill the nose being supported by honeycomb, fresh herbs, mineral, and lemon zest.

The palate is the perfect realization of the promise made by the nose delivering a lush but vibrant fruit-driven core with waves of mineral, herbs, and citrus and mild skin tannins.

Medium-bodied with perfect balance and long, lingering fruit and herbal notes.

Cool Factor

Tablas Creek is a unique winery in California seamlessly marrying Old World and New World winemaking and setting the standard for Rhône varietals in California. What could be cooler?

Value Grade

This beautiful white won't make many bargain lists but that's okay, it's a cut above in terms of quality and we are happy to pay every penny of the asking price.

Analysis

This complex and substantial white is made of a blend of: 42% Viognier, 30% Grenache Blanc, 23% Marsanne, and 5% Roussanne. The harvesting of these four varieties ranges from August 23rd for a portion of the Viognier going all the way until October 15th for the last of the Roussanne. All of the fruit comes from certified organic vineyards and only native yeasts were used. The Cotes de Tablas is drinking beautifully now but it will evolve in the cellar over the next five years. 95 points out of 100.

How to Enjoy

You can sip this wine with nothing at all but I believe that this is a wine that is begging for food pairing well with nearly any fish or fowl being able to match herbs and spices as well.