The Tablas Creek Vineyard Patelin de Tablas Blanc bottling “is a blend of seven white Rhône and Rhone-adjacent varieties: Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Marsanne, Vermentino, Roussanne, Picpoul, and Bourboulenc, with fruit from eight top Rhone vineyards in Paso Robles. Each vineyard was selected for its quality. Like many white wines from the Southern Rhône, it is based on the crisp acids and rich mouth-feel of Grenache Blanc, with Viognier for floral, tropical aromatics and luscious stone fruit flavors, Roussanne and Marsanne for structure and spice, and additions of Vermentino, Picpoul and Bourboulenc for brightness and texture.”

This white is one of those diamonds in the rough and a pleasure to savor at every level. The pale yellow hue opens with a captivating bouquet of honeysuckle and fresh peonies. Inside, this succulent wine is bursting with exotic, tropical fruits of grilled pineapple, crushed pink grapefruit and fresh Mandarin oranges that sail across the palate. The core is silky with a layer of marzipan and brown baking spices that add texture and a multidimensional character. The finish is long and focused. This is an unexpected, finely tuned white Rhone blend that you will want to revisit many times during your lifetime. An exceptional effort by Jason Haas and his team at Tablas Creek Winery.

By W Peter Hoyne