2012 Picpoul Blanc
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The 2012 Tablas Creek Vineyard Picpoul Blanc (also known as Piquepoul or Piquepoul Blanc in France) is Tablas Creek’s sixth bottling of this traditional Southern Rhône varietal, used in Châteauneuf du Pape as a blending component, and best known from the crisp light green wines of the Pinet Region in the Languedoc. Derived from the French "piquer" (to sting), in France the grape is known for its bright acidity, its minerality, and a clean lemony flavor. We have found that in California, it maintains its bright acidity, but also develops an appealing tropical lushness.
Tasting Notes
The 2012 Picpoul Blanc shows expressive aromas of pineapple, nuts, white flowers, and grilled bread. The mouth shows brighter than the nose suggests, with flavors of pina colada broadened by a hint of toast, a lush texture surprising for those who only know Picpoul from France, and a clean, lemony, mineral-laced finish.
Technical Details
Appellation
- Paso Robles
Technical Notes
- 13.9% Alcohol by Volume
- 280 Cases Produced
Blend
- 100% Picpoul
Recipes & Pairings
Recipe Suggestions
Food Pairings
- Fried Calamari
- Thai dishes with lemongrass & ginger
- Dover sole
- Ceviche
Production Notes
Picpoul Blanc was the first supplementary varietal we brought into the country after the initial eight varietals. It went into quarantine in 1996, and was released in 1998. The first vines went into the ground in 2000. We are so excited about the varietal that in the winter of 2005-2006 we tripled our planted acreage (from 1 to 3 acres).
Our Picpoul grapes were grown on our 120-acre certified organic estate vineyard.
The 2012 vintage was a classic Paso Robles vintage, warm and sunny, but with above-average yields thanks to average winter rainfall and the frost-reduced 2011 crop. Despite the warm summer, ripening was slowed due to the healthy crop levels, and harvest at a normal time starting in early September and finishing in late October. The resulting wines showed lush, juicy fruit, balanced by good acids, and should provide enormous early appeal. Our Picpoul was harvested on October 4th and 15th.
The Picpoul grapes were whole cluster pressed, and fermented using native yeasts in stainless steel to maintain its freshness. It completed malolactic fermentation in tank, and was bottled in June 2013.