New York Times (Nov. 2004)
Stephen Tanzer (July 2004)
Wine Anorak (July 2004)
Wine Enthusiast (May 2004)
Wine Advocate (August 2003)

How is it drinking?
Vintage Chart

The Tablas Creek Vineyard Côtes de Tablas is a blend of four estate-grown Rhône varietals: Mourvèdre, Syrah, Grenache and Counoise. Like most wines of the Southern Rhône, it is a blend of varietals, featuring the meatiness of Mourvèdre, the spice and structure of Syrah, and the generous fruit of Grenache and Counoise.

The 2001 Côtes de Tablas is Tablas Creek's second release of its Côtes de Tablas red blend, made in the style of a full-throttle Côtes du Rhone. The 2001 vintage began with a late-spring frost, reducing quantities of grapes by nearly 50%. The summer was warm and sunny, but cool nights preserved the aromatics of the Syrah, while the low yields (1.5 - 2.5 tons per acre) produced intense flavors and chewy tannins. The harvest began with the Syrah on August 28, followed with the Grenache and Counoise in mid-September, and finished with the last lot of Mourvèdre on October 3.

All varietals were fermented in stainless steel with the use of native yeasts: the Syrah in open-top fermenters, punched down manually, and the other varietals in closed fermenters with pump-over aeration. After pressing, the wines were racked, blended, aged for a year in 1200-gallon French oak foudres, and then bottled in June 2003. The wines underwent only a light filtration before bottling.

Updated tasting notes February 2005: showing a beautiful balance of earth, spice and fruit, soft, generous tannins, and excellent length. It is just at its peak, and should drink well for the next 3 to 5 years. Try it with lamb, duck, grilled vegetables, rich stews, and pastas.