Tablas Creek’s Côtes de Tablas Blanc is a Rhône-style white blend based on Viognier. In this 2020 vintage, the cuvée is 38 percent Viognier, 32 percent Grenache blanc, 22 percent Marsanne, and 8 percent Roussanne. The certified organic and biodynamic grapes were whole-cluster pressed and fermented with ambient cultures in a mix of stainless steel and large wood foudre.
The clear yellow body is fragrant of apricots and orange blossom, tarragon and mint. Texturally it’s silky but with a flare of peachy acidity at the finish. Viognier from warm climes and vintages can be syrupy (it reaches its elegant apogee in the cold and stony northern Rhône), and bending often helps counter the grape’s native soft acidity. This wine doesn’t read as if those other grapes were compensatory, though; it’s a seamless whole that delivers zesty refreshment. Don’t serve it too cold.
2020 Tablas Creek Vineyard Côtes de Tablas Blanc Paso Robles
12.5% ABV | $30 (sample)
