Tasting across from Tablas Creek general manager Jason Haas, we both simultaneously grinned after tasting the first wine. “You won’t find this one anywhere else” said Haas. “Other than at Beaucastel.” Hass was referring to the near extinct Picardin varietal which he brought over from Chateau Beaucastel to revive its heritage. I’ll fully admit this was the first Picardin that I had tasted but there was something really exciting about its rich texture and nutty tones. “I don’t think I’ve had anything quite like this” I exclaimed.
For those less familiar with Tablas Creek, they are a premier producer of Rhone varietals in Paso Robles. The winery started as an iconic partnership between Chateau Beaucastel and Robert Haas, owner of their United States importer, Vineyard Brands. I won’t forget my 2020 tasting with Haas over Zoom, tasting through a range of their spectacular ‘Espirit de Tablas.’ These wines can age well over fifteen years!
The Tablas Creek Vineyard began when Jean-Pierre and François Perrin and Robert Haas purchased a former alfalfa farm that is set on limestone soils in the Adelaida Hills. From the beginning they focused on Rhône-style wines made organically. The first plantings took place in1994 and the first Tablas Creek Vineyard wines produced in 1997. The winery has been an incredible success since that time, reaching worldwide acclaim particularly for their Rhone style red and white blends.
I loved the new 20201Tablas Creek ‘Patelin de Tablas’ Rose (OB, 91) which is fresh and filled of energy. It just could be the best ‘Patelin de Tablas’ Rose that I have tasted and it is a downright killer bottle. Do not miss out on the bright and vibrant, as well as beautifully textured 2021 Tablas Creek ‘Dianthus’ Rose (OB, 93) which is up there with the finest Rose wines you will find in North America. The white wines from Tablas showed a great combination of power and finesse. Finesse might have been a bit more difficult to come by in 2020 but I loved the minerality impated in the 2020 Tablas Creek Grenache Blanc (OB, 93) which is bright and shows gobs of mouth-watering acidity. The best wine I tasted and one of the finest Rhone style white wines I have tasted in California over the past year, the 2020 Tablas Creek ‘Espirit Blanc de Tablas’ White Wine (OB, 96) displays incredible flavor density, mouthfeel and complexity. It needs at least an hour of air if consuming now and will live on for at least another fifteen years. Learn more about these outstanding wines at https://tablascreek.com Here are the outstanding new wines by Tablas Creek.
2021 Tablas Creek ‘Patelin de Tablas’ Rose- Mostly Grenache (79%), this shows wild mushroom and bright red fruits with shades of orange blossom on the nose. The bright acidity brings you back to the glass for more. Vibrant red cherry, strawberry and guava favors combine with copious minerals on the palate. This displays wonderful finesse so drink up now! Drink 2022-2026- 91
2021 Tablas Creek ‘Dianthus’ Rose- A blend of near equal parts Mourvedre (42%) and Grenache (42%), with smaller parts Counoise and Cinsault, this reveals very earthy tones with compost and Bing cherry with nectarine and cashew nut tones that all take shape in the glass. The palate is deep and concentrated, as this is dense but comes off very weightless with its pretty red fruit profile. Drink 2022-2029- 93
2020 Tablas Creek Picardan- Tablas Creek has the most production of this varietal, as there is not much literature on the grape. Aged in stainless steel, this shows nutty and pear tones with plenty of minerals and a silky texture on the palate. Drink 2022-2027- 92
2019 Tablas Creek Clairette Blanc-This varietal has seen a revival in both Chateauneuf du Pape and North America, as this was aged for eight months in stainless steel before being bottled in June 2020. White flowers and citrus blossom combine with cashew nut and kiwi on the nose. The palate shows beautiful finesse and texture, as the wine comes off very seamless and pure. Salty undertones round out this sensational new wine. Drink 2022-2029- 94
2020 Tablas Creek Picpoul Blanc- The really good 2020 Tablas Creek Picpoul Blanc was stored for eight months in stainless steel prior to bottling. Sweetened gooseberry and nectarine combine with shades of green papaya on the nose. The mouthfeel and texture of this wine comes off velvety and soft, as this finishes very long. The bight acidity of thawing really impresses as this is beautiful to consume over the next six plus years. Drink 2022-2028- 93
2020 Tablas Creek Grenache Blanc- The 2020 Tablas Creek Grenache Blanc was stored in half half large format oak barrels and half stainless steel vats prior to bottling. The nose is complex with mixed nuts and star jasmine and bright Bartlett pear. The wine shows beautiful texture and minerality, with a lengthy finish. This gorgeous new wine will be sure to cellar well for another eight years. Drink 2022-2030- 93
2020 Tablas Creek Viognier- The 2020 Tablas Creek Viognier was stored in half half large format oak barrels and half stainless steel vats prior to bottling. Honeysuckle, mango and starfruit tones all come together on the nose. The palate is soft and round, with lovely salty tones alongside melon and starfruit flavors. This has some incredible aging potential. Drink 2022-2030- 94
2020 Tablas Creek Marsanne- This was the last Rhone varietal for Tablas Creek to bottle as a single varietal. Aged in neutral oak puncheons prior to bottling, this unveils banana and salted Macadamia nut tones alongside shades of honeycomb. Fresh and beautifully textured, this has outstanding weight, length and finesse. Only 12% alcohol. Drink 2022-2030- 94
2020 Tablas Creek Roussanne- The 2020 Tablas Creek Roussanne was stored in roughly 10% new French oak prior to bottling. A golden hue, this reveals cantaloupe and white peach, alongside wild mushroom and Pink Lady apple on the nose. The palate is soft and inviting with a silky texture and length that doesn’t quit. This is blow your mind stuff that has terrific aging potential. Drink 2022-2033- 95
2020 Tablas Creek ‘Espirit Blanc de Tablas’ White Wine- This sensational southern Rhone style wine blends 46% Roussanne and 28% Grenache Blanc with smaller parts Picpoul, Bourboulenc, Clairette Blanche and Picardin. The aromatic range is off the charts with banana, honeydew melon, salted nuts and shades of kiwi. The thrilling 2020 Tablas Creek ‘Espirit Blanc de Tablas’ White Wine unveils a multitude of working pieces once on the palate, ranging from tropical fruits to melon and stone fruits. Salty and very savory, wait for the minute-long finish! This is hugely complex and also highly delicious Rhone style wine that will easily cellar well for another fifteen years. Drink 2022-2037- 96