Tablas Creek Vineyard Patelin de Tablas Blanc

The Tablas Creek Vineyard Patelin de Tablas Blanc is a blend of four white Rhône varietals: Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Roussanne, and Marsanne. The wine incorporates fruit from eight top Rhone vineyards in Paso Robles, each vineyard selected for its quality. Like many white wines from the Southern Rhône, it is based on the crisp acids and rich mouthfeel of Grenache Blanc, with Viognier added for floral, tropical aromatics, and small additions of Roussanne and Marsanne for structure.

The 2012 vintage was a classic Paso Robles vintage, warm and sunny, but with above-average yields thanks to average winter rainfall and the frost-reduced 2011 crop. Despite the warm summer, ripening was slowed due to the healthy crop levels, and harvest at a normal time under ideal conditions, starting in early September and finishing in late October.

All varietals for the Patelin 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 July 2013.

The 2012 Patelin de Tablas Blanc shows fruity, floral aromas of honeysuckle, apricot and candied grapefruit, with a spicy mineral note emerging with air.  In the mouth it's mouth-filling with peach and lemon zest flavors and a creamy texture, but kept fresh by vibrant acids. The finish is long, rich and clean, with lingering flavors of peach and mineral.  Drink now and for the next 2-3 years.

Best paired with: Seafood cooked with garlic and white wine Green salads with avocado and citrus dressing Lemon chicken Scallops Light-fleshed fish with tropical salsa