2018 Patelin de Tablas
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The Tablas Creek Vineyard Patelin de Tablas is a blend of five red Rhône varietals: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Counoise, and for the first time Terret Noir. The wine incorporates fruit from several of the top Rhône vineyards in Paso Robles, each vineyard selected for its quality. Like many red wines from the Rhône Valley, it is based on the dark fruit, mineral and spice of Syrah, with the brightness and fresh acidity of Grenache, the structure and meatiness of Mourvèdre and small additions of Counoise and Terret Noir for complexity.
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92 points; "Supple, well-knit tannins build steadily on the long, lively finish": Vinous (Dec. 2020)
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90 points; "floral raspberry, smoky bay leaf and black pepper flavors that finish with zesty tannins": Wine Spectator (Nov. 2020)
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91 points; "a grainy frame, good freshness and an understated finish": Wine Advocate (Oct. 2020)
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91 Points; "earth, mineral and a mix of savory herb along with ripe plum": Purely Domestic Wine Report (Oct. 2020)
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92 points; "earthy and full of rocky flavors, yet also offers black-raspberry, red-plum and wild herb elements": Wine Enthusiast (Aug. 2020)
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91 points; "racy and long with hints of earth and spice": Blue Lifestyle (Jul. 2020)
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94 points; "Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a meaty texture": BevX (Jun. 2020)
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90 points; "red fruit flavors with shades of white pepper, smoked meats and Provencale herbs": Washington Wine Blog (May 2020)
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Extraordinary & Best Buy; "this is a great red wine with lots of style, finesse, balance and flavor. Bravo": Underground WineLetter (May 2020)
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94 points; "If there ever was a focused casual wine for a meal with good friends and a rack of lamb smothered with garlic and mint, this is it": VinePair (Apr. 2020)
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90-92 points; "Smooth tannins lend shape to a long, lively finish": Vinous (Feb. 2020)
Tasting Notes
A dark, spicy Syrah-driven nose reminiscent of Cornas: teriyaki, black olive, eucalyptus and black plum. On the palate, meaty and juicy, with flavors of soy marinade, black raspberry, wood smoke and white pepper. The long, gently tannic finish lingers with black fruit and spice. Delicious now, but with the substance and balance to age for up to a decade.
Technical Details
Appellation
- Paso Robles
Technical Notes
- 13.0% Alcohol by Volume
- 2400 Cases Produced
Blend
- 40% Syrah
- 33% Grenache
- 21% Mourvedre
- 3% Counoise
- 3% Terret Noir
Recipes & Pairings
Recipe Suggestions
Food Pairings
- Grilled meats
- Pastas with meat sauces
- Roast pork loin
- Beef stews
- Beef or pork stir fries
Production Notes
Grapes for the Patelin de Tablas are sourced from four regions in Paso Robles. Three are limestone-rich: the warmer, higher-elevation Adelaida District near Tablas Creek, the cool, coastal-influenced Templeton Gap to our south, and the moderate, hilly El Pomar to our south-east. These regions provide structured, mineral-laced fruit and excellent acidity. We also source fruit from the warmer heartland of the Paso Robles AVA: the Estrella District, whose mixed sandy loam soils produce juicy, darkly-fruited Syrah.
The 2018 vintage saw an almost ideal balance of vine health and stress, as is often the case with the first dry year after a very wet one. Although rainfall was just 70% of normal, the rains came late, delaying the onset of bud-break and the beginning of the growing season. The cool weather continued most of the year, punctuated by a six-week heat wave in July and early August. But temperatures moderated before picking began, and harvest proceeded under slightly cooler than normal conditions, allowing us to pick without stress and producing fruit (and wines) with intense flavors and good balancing acidity.
All varietals for the Patelin de Tablas were fermented in a mix of upright oak fermenters and stainless steel tanks and aged in wooden uprights, it was bottled in July 2019 and has been aging in bottle ever since.