Tablas Creek Vineyard was founded by the Perrin family of Château de Beaucastel and Robert Haas, the longtime importer and founder of Vineyard Brands.
Tablas Creek is dedicated to the production of wines made from Rhône grape varietals. All of their wines are made with grapes from their 120-acre certified organic estate vineyard. Each varietal is hand-harvested and fermented separately using native yeasts.
The Côtes de Tablas Rouge 2006 is 72% Grenache, 11% Syrah, 9% Mourvèdre, 8% Counoise. The wine showcases the fruit from the Grenache, with some meatiness from the Syrah and earthiness from the Mourvèdre and Counoise.
Ruby red in color. A very Grenache inspired nose of black cherry, strawberry, kirsch, pepper, bacon fat and some floral notes. On the palate, medium body with pure, fleshy fresh fruit. Loaded with raspberry, currant, pepper, graphite, with a touch of rare meat, licorice and earth. Silky tannins and good acidity — very approachable and enjoyable.
This wine evoked memories of Bonny Doon’s Clos de Gilroy at the height of its powers in the late 1980s — very Grenache-driven (fleshy raspberry, pepper and spice) and Nouveau-like fruit. This is a lot of wine for $18 a bottle. 14.8% alcohol. 3500 Cases produced. Strongly recommended.
I also really liked the Tablas Creek Vineyard Côtes de Tablas Blanc 2006, but would give a slight edge to the rouge — though both are very well made.
Related posts:
Tablas Creek Grenache Blanc 2006
Côtes de Tablas Creek Vermentino 2008
Tablas Creek Vineyard Côtes de Tablas Blanc 2006
[...] Rocks & Gravel 2005 Jean & Agnes Foillard — Morgon Cuvée Corcelette Vieille Vigne 2007 Tablas Creek Côtes de Tablas Rouge 2006 Domaine des 2 Anes, Premiers Pas 2005 Pierre Laplace Madiran 2005 Sean Thackrey Pleiades XV Old [...]
[...] Recommended. Another example why Tablas Creek is one of my favorite producers in California. Others include: Tablas Creek Grenache Blanc 2006 Tablas Creek Vineyard Côtes de Tablas Blanc 2006 Tablas Creek Côtes de Tablas Rouge 2006 [...]
[...] Related posts: Côtes de Tablas Creek Vermentino 2008 Tablas Creek Vineyard Côtes de Tablas Blanc 2006 Tablas Creek Côtes de Tablas Rouge 2006 [...]
[...] wines from Tablas Creek: Tablas Creek Côtes de Tablas Rouge 2006 Tablas Creek Grenache Blanc 2006 Côtes de Tablas Creek Vermentino 2008 Tablas Creek Vineyard [...]