The Data

Country   USA

Appellation   Adelaida District

Varietal   Red Blend

Retail Price   $35

ABV   14.5%

Score   4.5 Stars/95 points

In the Glass

Brilliant, deep ruby color.

The aromatics are quite intense and complex offering scents of black currant, mineral, and black tea with supporting notes of fig and cocoa.

The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of blackberry, red plum, cassis, and fresh herbs. The finish is long and lingering with chalky tannins.

Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture.

Cool Factor

Tablas Creek is a unique winery in California seamlessly marrying Old World and New World winemaking and setting the standard for Rhone varietals in California. This is America's Châteauneuf-du-Pape — What could be cooler?

Value Grade

We find this to be an incredible value. Try to find a Châteauneuf-du-Pape that's better for less.

Analysis

This rich and hedonistic wine is made with a classic Rhône blend of 45% Grenache, 33% Syrah, 12% Counoise, and 10% Mourvédre. The 2018 vintage provided near ideal conditions with cooler than normal temperature with a six week heatwave in July to August followed by moderate temperatures again before harvest. As is typical at Tablas Creek this wine is fermented in both stainless steel and large wood, upright vats. Once blended this wine spends a year in a large French foudres prior to bottling. The resulting wine is rich and opulent with perfect balance and style to spare. Drink it now or hold for a decade.

How to Enjoy

This complex and beautiful wine really needs to be decanted to be fully enjoyed. It does drink wonderfully now but it will only get better and has at least of decade in the cellar. Pair with rich, layered stews and braised dishes.