TN 2007 Tablas Creek, En Gobelet

WINE TALK
1

I wonder why Tablas and a several other places up in Paso fall so much under the radar? Everybody talks about Saxum, but not much else? This last summer I rediscovered Tablas after having had some nasty stuff from them close to 10 years ago. I might also do a plug for l’Aventure at some point as I’ve tried some awesome stuff from them as well.
Anyways, this is a wonderful blend of almost equal amounts of mourvedre and grenache with a tiny splash of tannat thrown in. Needs quite a bit of air to open so as not to be completely primary, but yields to nice kirch and mint chocolate aromas, very nice medium bodied feel with long after taste with that kirch and chocolate feel lingering. This is almost as good as the Esprits that I’ve tried (2003, 2005, 2006) and was only $30.
Btw Gobelet (if spelled correctly) is the french version of head pruned, bit more descriptive.

2

TablasCreek never seems to get much accolades anywhere. Probably because they make their wines in a more restrained/elegant/ageworthy/balanced style, w/o
the gobs of hedonistic fruit some critics go ape over. And the age amazingly well.
I like the l’Adventure wines as well, though they can be a bit on the pricey side.
Tom

3

Tom,
l’Aventure is definitely pricy, but Tablas seems to be restrained in pricing as well as profile.

4

Tablas Creek hit a home run in '07 and the wines are fantastic. I’m working on the next newsletter and will have full notes up in November… The '07 Côtes de Tablas is a back up the truck wine… and the '06 is outstanding as well. I was able to pick this up locally for a whole 13 bucks… L’Aventure’s '07 Côte-à-Côte is also stunning.

5

I’m a HUUUUUGE Tablas Creek fan. Let them age 10 and watch them reward.

6

Thanks for the note, Peter. This must be a new offering from Tablas, as I’ve never seen it there before. As for their quality, I think they are the BEST Paso has to offer.

7

Bingo. [winner.gif]

8

Brian, Yes this was a new offering that came in my club shipment.

Jeb, I tried the '06 Côtes de Tablas and really liked it, I definitely need to get some of the '07 as well.

Brandon, I’ll get back to you in ten years, actually I just tried the newly released 2003 Esprit and thought it an outstanding wine.

9

The 2007 Cotes de Tablas is a great bottle for about low $20’s up here.

10

If the Rhone weren’t in the middle of several ridiculously high quality vintages back to back to back, Tablas would almost certainly be getting more recognition. Unfortunately, there are dozens of similar wines available for 30%-40% less out on the East Coast. The wineries that do a true Californian style with these varietals will get more exposure here because they are offering a noticably different wine, and for those that don’t like the Rhone style it’s worth the extra money.