2008 Côtes de Tablas Blanc

Production Notes

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.

The grapes for our Côtes de Tablas Blanc were grown on our 120-acre certified organic estate vineyard.

The 2008 vintage was our second consecutive drought year, with yields further reduced by spring frosts. Berries and clusters were small, leading to excellent concentration. Ripening over the summer was gradual and harvest about a week later than normal. Crop sizes were similar to 2007 and about 20% lower than usual. The low yields and gradual ripening resulted in wines with good intensity, lower than normal alcohols and an appealing gentle minerality. Viognier began the harvest on September 3rd, followed by Grenache Blanc between September 16th and October 3rd, Marsanne between October 1st and 8th and Roussanne between September 30th 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 May 2009. The wine underwent only a light cold stabilization before bottling.

Tasting Notes

The 2008 Côtes de Tablas Blanc is a blend in the style of French Côtes du Rhône 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.

Reviews

• "Rich and refreshing": Fine Cooking (Oct/Nov 2010)
• 91 points; "sensational": Wine Advocate (Aug. 2010)
• "A real beauty": Wall Street Journal (Jun. 2010)
• 89 points; "vinrant and lively": Wine Spectator (Mar. 2010)
• 90 points: Tanzer’s IWC (Nov. 2009)
• 90 points: The Rhone Report (Nov. 2009)
• 91-93 points: Wine Advocate (Aug. 2009)

[...more recent Tablas Creek press]

Recipe Suggestions

• Mussels Mariniere
• Fish with Fennel

[...more recipes]

Food Pairings

• Mussels Marinière
• Green salads with avocado and citrus dressing
• Scallops
• Ceviche
• Light fish (halibut, sole) with tropical salsa

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