TN: 2004 Tablas Creek - Tannat (USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles)

WINE TALK
1

2004 Tablas Creek Tannat - USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles (9/19/2014)
– popped and poured –
– tasted non-blind over a few hours –
– 92% Tannat, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon –

NOSE: expressive; red-fruited; floral; strong chalky/mineral wash (reminds me a bit of LB Bdx.).

BODY: violet color, with just a hint of browning at the edges; sediment present; medium to medium-full bodied.

TASTE: wow, this is good! Still presents as young, but no harsh tannins from its infancy remain; medium-light oakiness; 14.8% alc. is well-hidden; adequate acidity; tertiary aspects (leather and muddled berries) creeping-in now; sweet cherry gummies; probably at peak right now, although I don’t necessarily see it dropping off this peak anytime real quick here; drink now through 2024.

50, 5, 12, 17, 8 = (92 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

2

That’s just completely cool, 10 year old Tannat from Cali!

I was at Tablas a couple years back and my favorite red was the Tannat. Interesting wine by them.

3

Was just there a few weeks ago and tasted the 2012 Tannat. Very approachable but really deeply pitched with dark fruits, meat and smoke. Very dense with great texture. Quite masculine but somewhat tamed by the vintage. Listed 14.1% ABV to boot.

4

I have singles of several vintages in the cellar, but have been afraid to touch one yet because of the long age curve on these. Interesting that this older bottle contained 8% Cab, I wonder if the more recent vintages are 100% Tannat now that they have removed the Cabernet vines from the property.

5

That’s one of the best wines from Paso. Really a beauty. I should buy it more often.

6

The 2012 is blended with Cabernet as well (9%). I believe they grafted over to a different variety this year or last year (was told, but can’t recall). I would imagine that they would do a 100% Tannat as they were blending it with Cabernet because of their nursery program and it being somewhat traditional in the Madiran.

7

I’m going to have to track some of this down. I love aged Tannat from the SW of France, and would love to see what they’re doing with it in Paso.

8

Neil also makes Tannat at Lone Madrone in a richer style and I’m pretty positive some other producers are starting to vinify it as well.

9

Thanks Taylor! I will have to keep an eye out for these.

10

It’s worth seeking out, Jim. This is usually one of my top wines of the tasting whenever I swing by Tablas.

11

It tastes like a California wine, as it should, but it retains the character of tannat, in my opinion.

Has anyone ever had an Uruguayan tannat? That’s still on my to do list.

12

What I appreciate about the Tannat is that while the primary fruit character provides a nice canvas, you really get an intensity of varietal secondary characteristics from the get go. I’m not sure if that’s universal for the variety or not, but it’s certainly enjoyable.

13

Thanks for the note. I got a taste of the 2005 vintage of this a few weeks ago and really liked it. I didn’t get a detailed note but I remember some intense California fruit with a nice tannic structure and some aged character to back it up.

14

I’ve had the Tablas tannat a few times and quite like it. But I always makes me think that I’d rather drink a CA petite sirah. Now I have too much PS.
Btw TC wines generally age quite well, often needing 10 years to strut their stuff.

15

Actually, yes. I have really liked the couple I have tried for value. They probably have a similar relationship to Irouleguy or Madiran that Argentinian Malbec has to Cahors. I’ll post a note on the one I just bought soon.

Also trades can be worked out… flirtysmile

16

Thanks, Brian. Do you (or does anyone) know offhand if it is a tasting room/mailing list wine only?

17

Not limited to members so you can buy it direct from Tablas (online).

18

Thanks!

19

Thanks for the insight, in 2010 they did a one-off 100% cab and I thought I remembered that was because they were removing the small amounts of all of the non-rhone varietals they had on the estate. Maybe I’m mixing up a couple different stories here.