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REVIEWS
Piedmont Post (Nov. 2009)
Wine Advocate (Aug. 2009)
Wine Enthusiast (Aug. 2009)
Wine Review Online (May 2009)
Wine Spectator (Mar. 2009)
Tanzer's IWC (Nov. 2008)
Wine Advocate (Jun. 2008)

How is it drinking?
Vintage Chart

The Tablas Creek Vineyard Côtes de Tablas Blanc is a blend of four estate-grown white Rhône varietals: Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Grenache Blanc. The wine, like most wines of the Southern Rhône, is a blend of varietals, featuring the aromatics and fruit of the Viognier, the flavors and clean minerality of the Marsanne and Roussanne, and the crisp acids and rich mouthfeel of the Grenache Blanc. Like our Côtes de Tablas red, this wine is designed to be ready to drink young: at its peak from the moment of its release.

As with all our wines, the grapes for our Côtes de Tablas Blanc were grown on our 120-acre certified organic estate vineyard.

The 2007 vintage was the product of three yield-reducing factors. Both 2006 and 2005 were relatively high-production years, and we expected less production in 2007. In addition, the previous winter was dry (just over 30% of normal rainfall) and cold, both of which contributed to small berries and small clusters. Ripening over the summer was gradual and harvest just slightly earlier than normal. Crop sizes were down between 15% and 30% compared to 2006. The low yields resulted in wines with tremendous concentration, good acids and phenolic ripeness at lower than normal alcohols. Viognier began the harvest on August 31st, followed by Marsanne in one day on September 11th, Grenache Blanc between September 6th and October 1st and Roussanne between September 6th and October 24th.

All varietals for the Côtes de Tablas Blanc were whole cluster pressed, and fermented in stainless steel to emphasize the clean crisp flavors and preserve the aromatics. Only native yeasts were used. After fermentation, the wines were racked and blended, and bottled in April 2008. The wine underwent only a light cold stabilization before bottling.

The 2007 Côtes de Tablas Blanc is a blend in the style of French Cotes du Rhone whites, and features intense aromas of stone fruits and minerals, flavors of apricot and Provençal herbs, rich texture, moderate acidity and a long peachy finish.