The Data

Country   USA

Appellation   Adelaida District

Varietal   Grenache

Retail Price   $45

ABV   14.5%

Score   4 Stars/95 points

In the Glass

Brilliant, medium ruby color.

The aromatics are intense, offering scents of red cherry, boysenberry, and hibiscus flower with supporting notes of slate, mulberry, and strawberry.

The palate echoes the nose delivering a red fruit-driven core with flavors of raspberry, tart cherry, black tea, and five spice. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins.

Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture.

Cool Factor

At BevX, we are big enthusiasts of Grenache. Tablas Creek unquestionably belongs to a select group of California wineries that excel in Rhône varietals. What could be more exciting?

Value Grade

Selling at $45 a bottle, it's a superb deal for those seeking a taste of pure Grenache from one of America's Rhône masters.

Analysis

The 2018 Tablas Creek Vineyard Grenache represents Tablas Creek’s fifteenth varietal bottling of Grenache, and it’s a tremendous hit at BevX. It ranks among America’s finest Grenache wines. Tablas Creek utilizes most of their Grenache in their exceptional Esprit de Tablas and Cotes de Tablas blends, but fortunately, they set aside a small portion for this single varietal bottling. The 2023 vintage began with the wettest winter on record for them. The growing season was the coolest in over a decade, resulting in a harvest around a month later than recent vintages. In selecting lots for this single-varietal bottling, they prioritize choices that emphasize freshness rather than those that are riper. The chosen lots were blended in June 2024 and aged in neutral 1,200-gallon oak foudres until bottling in February 2025.

How to Enjoy

Enjoy now or age for a decade or more in the cellar. This well-balanced and complex wine pairs beautifully with grilled beef ribeyes, game stews, and rich ragus.