2018 Picpoul Blanc
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The 2018 Tablas Creek Vineyard Picpoul Blanc (also known as Piquepoul or Piquepoul Blanc in France) is Tablas Creek’s eleventh 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.
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90 Points; "a juicy, vibrant mix of pear, Meyer lemon, lime and ruby grapefruit flavors": Wine Spectator (Apr. 2020)
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91 Points; "Shows sharp focus and chewy texture and closes spicy, focused and long": Vinous (Feb. 2020)
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89-91 Points; "light to medium-bodied with a core of fleshy, perfumed fruits, juicy acidity and a long, floral finish.": Wine Advocate (Oct. 2019)
Tasting Notes
An electric nose of pineapple and lemon, sea spray, and sweet green herbs. The mouth is like biting into a fresh, barely ripe pineapple, with additional lemongrass and mineral notes. The finish is clean, vibrant, and delineated, with a lingering impression of waves breaking over rocks. Drink now and over the next few years.
Technical Details
Appellation
- Adelaida District Paso Robles
Technical Notes
- 13.2% Alcohol by Volume
- 440 Cases Produced
Blend
- 100% Picpoul Blanc
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 were so pleased with 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 certified organic and biodynamic estate vineyard.
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.
The Picpoul grapes were whole cluster pressed, and fermented using native yeasts in a mix of stainless steel and neutral 60-gallon acacia barrels to achieve a balance of freshness and richness. It completed malolactic fermentation in barrel, and was bottled in June 2019.