2010 Grenache Blanc

Production Notes

The 2010 Tablas Creek Vineyard Grenache Blanc is Tablas Creek’s ninth bottling of its 100% Grenache Blanc. The Grenache Blanc grape, a little-known but widely-planted Southern Rhone varietal, produces wines with full body, good acidity, and flavors of citrus, anise, and green apple.

We use most of our Grenache Blanc in our Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc and Cotes de Tablas Blanc each year. However, we have been so pleased by the flavors and intensity of the Grenache Blanc that we try to reserve a small quantity of Grenache Blanc for a single-varietal bottling each year.

The grapes for our 2010 Grenache Blanc were grown on our 120-acre certified organic estate vineyard.

The 2010 vintage saw healthy rainfall after three years of drought. The ample early-season groundwater and a lack of spring frosts produced a good fruit set. A very cool summer delayed ripening by roughly three weeks, with harvest not beginning until mid-September and still less than half complete in mid-October. Warm, sunny weather between mid-October and mid-November allowed the later-ripening varieties to reach full maturity. The long hangtime and cool temperatures combined to produce fruit with intense flavors at low alcohol levels. Grenache Blanc parcels were picked between September 21st and November 12th.

The Grenache Blanc grapes were whole cluster pressed, and fermented using native yeasts in stainless steel tanks and one two-year-old foudre. The Grenache Blanc lots were assembled in May 2011, and bottled in July 2011. The wines underwent only a light cold stabilization before bottling.

Tasting Notes

The 2010 Grenache Blanc shows an expressive, intensely mineral nose that also includes sweeter flavors like marzipan, licorice, and chicory root.  In the mouth it is rich yet zesty, with flavors of quince, marmalade, and granny smith apple.  The vibrant acids come out on the finish, suggesting preserved lemon and ending with just a hint of Grenache tannin. Drink now and for the next two to three years.

Reviews

[...more recent Tablas Creek press]

Recipe Suggestions

[...more recipes]

Food Pairings

  • Spicy Asian preparations of fish and chicken
  • Shrimp Scampi
  • Sushi
  • Lemongrass Beef
Grenache Blanc

Not Available for Purchase

Blend

  • 100% Grenache Blanc

Technical Notes

  • 14.2% Alcohol by Volume
  • 680 Cases Produced

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Upcoming Events

Celebrate Paso Robles Wine Festival with Tablas Creek

Join us for the Paso Robles Wine Community's biggest celebration! We'll pour Esprit de Beaucastel at Friday's Reserve Event and a range of new releases at Saturday's Grand Tasting. And all weekend we'll have special wines open at the winery and will be taking tours to visit our herd of sheep, alpacas and donkeys. Sunday 11am to 1:30pm enjoy Chef Jacob Lovejoy's small plates, free with a tasting. Details & more events »

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