2006 Tablas Creek Vineyard Tannat (92 Points)

DATE CONSUMED

Saturday, December 3, 2011

VINTAGE

2006

WINERY/PRODUCER

Tablas Creek Vineyard

WINE NAME

Tannat

TYPE OF WINE

Red

COMPOSITION

88% Tannat, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon

SUBNAME/NICKNAME

N/A

VINEYARD DESIGNATION

Estate grown and bottled

REGION/A.V.A.

Paso Robles, California

ALCOHOL CONTENT

15.0%

PRICE PAID

$28

WHERE/WHEN BOUGHT AND/OR HOW PROCURED

We bought this bottle at the winery’s tasting room in November, 2008.  We were so taken-aback by the quality of TC’s wines that we joined their wine club that day (I’m assuming the price we paid for this bottle is the wine club member discounted price).

BOUQUET

This wine exhibits gobs of black fruit and spices on the nose, such as plums, blackberries, black cherries, black pepper, and savory herbs.  This wine’s bouquet foretells a beverage that will pack a wallop of flavors.

TASTING NOTES

Usually, a wine’s bouquet seldom lies.  And this wine is certainly no politician on the campaign trail.  As the nose suggested, there is TONS of black pepper and savory herbs that hit the palate first, followed closely by rich, creamy black fruit (plums, blackberries, and black cherries, just like the bouquet suggested/hinted).  There is also a nice stony/minerally character that compliments the wine’s tannic/acidic structure.  The finish was smooth and well-balanced for such a fiercely flavorful and tannic wine. 

Though only five years since harvest, this wine is still young and fresh.  We decanted this bottle at least an hour before dinner; if you have the same bottle, I would recommend decanting this wine for at least one to two hours. 

I would compare this wine to a Syrah if you’re unfamiliar with Tannat.  This is a very French varietal (whatever that means!) with nicely complex flavors with a firm, tannic backbone.  This is a delicious, dark, rich, creamy wine with fantastic depth-of-flavors.  I was unfamiliar with Tannat three years ago and based on this wonderful bottle, I’ll be on the look-out for other Tannats in the future (especially those from TC!).   Tannat is usually used in blends, and though not 100% Tannat, this is easily one of the most interesting single varietal wines (or close to it) that I’ve had all year.  This is just one more example why Tablas Creek is my favorite California winery.  There’s never a dull moment when there is an open bottle from Tablas Creek on the table!

PAIRING SUGGESTIONS

We paired this wine with Barefoot Contessa’s Beef Bourguignon and it was a wonderful match.  Because of its rich, creamy, tannic structure, this wine would also pair well with a ribeye steak smothered in Kosher salt and freshly-cracked black pepper, curried lamb shanks, and just about any other red meat dish, especially rich stews.  To quote my cousin Jennifer: “If you love Pabst Blue Ribbon, you’ll love this!”  Jennifer was recently released from a mental institution, so take her quote with a grain of salt (perhaps a mountain of salt would be a more appropriate analogy?).

AGING POTENTIAL

This wine is drinking very well right now, but as I mentioned above, this is still a young, virile, FRESH wine that will probably be at its peak in another five to ten years.  Like a quality Bordeaux/Rhone blend, this wine could probably age beautifully for another 20+ years.  My best guess is that this wine will mature gracefully and elegantly up to about 2040 or so.

SCORE

92 Points

Q.P.R. (QUALITY-TO-PRICE RATIO) (POOR, FAIR, GOOD, EXCELLENT)

GOOD - EXCELLENT

WINERY WEBSITE

http://www.tablascreek.com/