2010 Antithesis Chardonnay

Production Notes

The 2010 Tablas Creek Vineyard Antithesis Chardonnay is Tablas Creek’s eleventh bottling of this traditional Burgundian varietal. In the early 1990s, we imported all our Rhône varietal cuttings from France. At the same time, at the request of a Sonoma winery, we imported the highly regarded small-berry, low-vigor Chardonnay clone named “La Vineuse” and planted 1.5 acres to produce a small amount of bud wood for sale. In 2000, we got our first small crop of Chardonnay.

After tasting the grapes, we thought them so compelling that we made the Antithesis Chardonnay our first non-Rhône bottling, as well as our first single-varietal wine. We have continued to produce a small amount each year since.

Our Chardonnay grapes were grown on our 120-acre certified organic estate vineyard.

Chardonnay thrives in our chalky clay soils (much like those of Burgundy), and the cool nights in Paso Robles serve to balance the warm, sunny days. We chose a terraced north-east facing block above our grapevine nursery for the Chardonnay.

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. The long hangtime and cool temperatures combined to produce fruit with intense flavors at low alcohol levels. The Chardonnay was harvested in one day on September 29th -- the latest Chardonnay harvest ever at Tablas Creek.

The Chardonnay grapes were whole cluster pressed, and fermented using native yeasts in a mix of neutral oak and stainless steel barrels to preserve the wine’s varietal and mineral character. The wine went through full malolactic fermentation in barrel. It was bottled in July 2011.

Tasting Notes

The 2010 Antithesis shows a creamy, minerally nose, but there are sweeter aromas of creme patisseur and custard too. The mouth is lush but firmly dry, with supple texture and a generous mid-palate. The flavors are classic Chardonnay, edging slightly tropical with pineapple and toasted bread, then finishing with a briny mineral note.  Drink now and for the next five years.

Reviews

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Recipe Suggestions

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Food Pairings

  • Chicken in cream sauce
  • Light-fleshed fish
  • Baked scallops
  • Lobster with butter sauce
Antithesis Chardonnay

Not Available for Purchase

Blend

  • 100% Chardonnay

Technical Notes

  • 13.5% Alcohol by Volume
  • 800 cases produced

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Upcoming Events

Celebrate Paso Robles Wine Festival with Tablas Creek

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