2009 Grenache Blanc

Production Notes

The 2009 Tablas Creek Vineyard Grenache Blanc is Tablas Creek’s eigth 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 2009 Grenache Blanc were grown on our 120-acre certified organic estate vineyard.

The 2009 vintage was our third consecutive drought year, with yields further reduced by April frosts. Berries and clusters were small, with excellent concentration. Ripening over the summer was gradual and our Grenache Blanc harvest complete at the time of a major rainstorm on October 13th. Crop sizes were 10% smaller than 2008 and 30% lower than usual. The low yields and gradual ripening resulted in wines with an appealing lushness, rich texture and gentle minerality. Our Grenache Blanc was harvested between September 14th and 24th.

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 2010, and bottled in July 2010. The wines underwent only a light cold stabilization before bottling.

Tasting Notes

The 2009 Grenache Blanc shows a smooth nose of buttered toast, preserved lemon and caramel, with a mouth-filling richness on the palate. The finish at first is bright and lemony, and then turns softer with lingering creamy, mineral notes. Drink in 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
  • 524 Cases Produced

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