2006 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 2006 vintage was a study of contrasts, with a cold, wet start, a very hot early summer, a cool late summer and a warm, beautiful fall. Ample rainfall in late winter gave the grapevines ample groundwater, and produced relatively generous crop sizes. The relatively cool late-season temperatures resulted in a delayed but unhurried harvest, wines with lower than normal alcohols, strong varietal character, and good acids. Viognier began the harvest starting September 15th, followed by Roussanne and Grenache Blanc beginning September 27th, and Marsanne starting October 4th.

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 2007. The wine underwent only a light cold stabilization before bottling.

Tasting Notes

The 2006 Côtes de Tablas Blanc is a blend in the style of French Cotes du Rhone whites, and features spicy aromas of herbs, stone fruits and minerals are followed in the mouth by apricot flavors, rich texture, bright acidity, and a long, clean peachy finish.

Reviews

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Recipe Suggestions

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Food Pairings

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

Not Available for Purchase

Blend

  • 59% Viognier
  • 32% Marsanne
  • 6% Grenache Blanc
  • 3% Roussanne

Technical Notes

  • 13.5% Alcohol by Volume
  • 2600 Cases Produced

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Tablas Creek News

Featured Wine for June: 2012 Vermentino

In June, we're featuring our 2012 Vermentino at a 10% discount. Vermentino is a classic Mediterranean grape best known in Sardinia and Liguria, where it produces fresh, dry, citrusy wines that taste of the sea the vineyards overlook. Here, we think 2012 made our best Vermentino yet, perfect for the summer's fresh meals. Details »

On the Blog: The Pleasure of Discovered Bottles

June 17, 2013

By Robert Haas. Sometimes even forgotten bottles of white wines turn out to be a revelation.  Such was the case  at a gathering with friends Mel and Ynez Kaplan at their house in Charlotte, VT last Saturday.  Mel Kaplan brought out a couple of bottles of Tablas Creek Clos Blanc 2000.  He asked whether I thought that it would still be good.  Mel has an underground cellar there so I said,  “Let’s give it a try.”