Beverage of the Week (BOW)
Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas Paso Robles 2022
Product Story
The great Patelin de Tablas Rouge is made with a unique blend of 54% Syrah, 29% Grenache, 13% Mourvedre, 3% Counoise, and 1% Terret Noir. We have watched the makeup of this wine change through the years (this is our ninth vintage reviewed). Through the years the portion of Syrah has dipped but in 2022 we see the highest percentage of Syrah since the 2014 vintage. The grapes are sourced from multiple vineyard sources including Tablas Creek’s organic estate vineyard, three vineyards in the Templeton Gap, two vineyards in the Adelaida District, as well as vineyards in El Pomar District and Geneseo District. The 2022 vintage was the third drought year on the trot with the little rain coming early in the season. A cool start was followed by a very hot August and September leading to an early start and finish to harvest. The low yields resulted in very concentrated fruit. The wine was fermented in a combination of stainless steel tanks and large, upright oak fermenters. After fermentation the wine was blended and then aged in large oak foudres for a period of six months prior to bottling in July 2023. The resulting wine is meaty while ideally balanced with a great future.
Brand Story
Tablas Creek is a unique animal on the California wine scene. They are unquestioned pioneers in the movement of Rhône-styled wines in California and many consider them to be the absolute best-in-class. While many wineries in California make wines with classic Rhône varietals, Tablas Creek makes wines with the heart and soul of the Rhône. They were founded in 1989 by a collaboration between two iconic wine families – the Perin family of Chateau de Beaucastel and the Haas family of Vineyard Brands. Together they chose vineyard locations in Paso Robles, imported vine cuttings from the Rhône, and built vineyards and a winery from the dirt up. Their vineyard site in the Adelaida District of Paso Robles is a close match to climatic conditions and soils found at Chateau de Beaucastel. Their wines are not at all typically Californian in style. While they are not merely replicas of Rhône wines, they are rather a unique expression of Paso Robles fruit grown at elevation with the winemaking touch of an old Rhône master. I love how the Tablas Creek wines are always true to their respective vineyards and vintages. The wines convey a sense of being expertly managed rather than manipulated. Bravo!
Tasting Note
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of blackberry and mineral with supporting notes of star anise, tamari, and cigar box. The palate confirms the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of black cherry, bramble, black currant, cocoa, and slate. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a chewy texture.
How to Serve
Serve at cellar temperature, ideally decanted to allow the aromatics and flavors to fully bloom. Pair with braised beef short ribs, grilled meats, and pastas with rich meat sauces.
Price: $ 28
BevX Review: http://bevx.com/wine-detail/?id=4347
