Beverage of the Week (BOW)
Tablas Creek Vermentino Adelaida District 2021
Product Story
There is precious little Vermentino grown in America — a damn shame — and Tablas Creek's Vermentino is unmatched. Vermentino is typically high in acid with flavors of grapefruit, green apple, peach, and lime with hints of blanched almonds and spring flowers. The grape is native to Italy where it is utilized in wines from Liguria to Sardegna and locations in between. It is also grown in the South of France with great success. The 2021 vintage began after a chilly and relatively dry winter. This resulted in small clusters and berries with total yields down about 25%. Tablas Creek’s Vermentino grapes are whole cluster pressed and fermented utilizing native yeasts in stainless steel and concrete. This ultra-refreshing wine sees no wood at all and is ready to drink today. You need this wine!
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, light green/gold color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of lime leaf and red grapefruit with supporting notes of lemon grass, slate, and green tea. The palate echoes the nose delivering a citrus-driven core with flavors of pineapple, quince, limeade, and trailing notes of mineral. The finish is long and lingering and as it warms the fruit becomes softer and more expansive. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant texture.
How to Serve
You really need nothing but a glass but it does pair great with seafood, pesto, and vegetable stir-fry.
Price: $ 30
BevX Review: http://bevx.com/wine-detail/?id=4202
