Paso Robles

• Willow Creek

The top wine in the Tablas creek stable.  A blend of 60% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache and 10% Syrah.  Tasted along side the 03, this is more animale and a bit darker fruits.  Both were stunning.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has a fair amount of barnyard/brett.  If tasting blind, I would have guessed older Beaucastel.  There is also plenty of plums and black raspberry fruit.  On the palate, this has light tannins left.  Layers of plums, black cherries and black raspberries with plenty of earthiness.  Great balance and energy.  Long finish.  Delicious and demanding of attention o

This is the top wine that Tablas Creek makes.  It is a blend of 69% Mourvedre, 21% Grenache, 7% Syrah, and 3% Counoise.  Wow.  At age 18, this is gorgeous.  Bought on release and decanted for sediment just prior to serving.  Still vibrant and drinking youthfully if closing in on peak.  The nose has plums, black cherries, a slight char and a bit of earthiness.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this layered and complex.  Layers of black cherries, plums, earth and spice.  Tannins seemed resolved.  Great balance and energy.  Long finish.  Drinking on its own, this will be contemplative but will wor

Sadly this was slightly corked.  No fruit due to the TCA, but the texture was great and the potpourri notes were evident.  It happens.  

This is the Tablas Creek version of a Chateauneuf du Pape.  It is a blend of 46% Mourvedre, 31% Syrah, 18% Grenache, and 5% Counoise grapes.  At age 5 from vintage, this is drinking great already.  The nose has plums, black cherries, spice with a touch of funk.  Full bodied with a great texture.  Red and purple fruits; black cherries, cherries and boysenberries with a nice underlying minerality.  Nice finish.  This is still young and should develop more over the next five years or so, and drink well for ten more after that.  It drinks great on its own and would work well with roasted meats

This is a blend of 60% Syrah, 25% Grenache and 15% Terret Noir grapes.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper and roasted herbs.  Full bodied with firm tannins.  On the palate, black raspberries with some char underneath.  Delicious.  Nice acidity.  Long finish.  They Syrah is dominating now but this should gain some complexity with a few more years in bottle.  Drink over the next twelve to fifteen years.  This would work great with Indian or Thai food with a bit of spice.  

This is always a great value.  it is a blend of 37% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 23% Mourvedre, and 3% Counoise.  Tablas Creek sells vines and then sources back some of the grapes from those vineyards to make this wine.  Brilliant and what a way to be a good neighbor.  The eight vineyards are listed on the label (plus 4% of Tablas Creek grapes).  Screw capped.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is warm with dust, cherries and an anise (black licorice) note.  Nice texture.  On the palate, the cherries and anise come thru.  Some depth.  Nice finish.  This drinks well but would be ev

This is a single varietal wine that is part of their wine club offerings.  A very cool wine to try to get to understand this grape usually used in blending.  Light ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is different with cranberries, strawberries, nutmeg and slight clove notes.  On the palate, there is strong acidity.  Tart "red" berries (similar to the nose).  Light tannins.  This is somewhat like a cross between a rose and a less ripe Grenache, but not quite.  It will work better with food.  Lighter salads but also duck or roasted chicken would be nice.  Drink over the next five to se

This is a Rose made in the style of Bandol, that is, a heartier style of Rose.  It is 48% Mourvedre. Light ruby/orange in color, clear and bright. The nose is  nice with cherries and slight orange notes.  On the palate, this is slightly viscous with cherries and a slight red licorice note.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  A very pleasant rose that will work well on its own or with all sorts of food off the grill.  Drink over the next few years.  

This is their take on a white Chateauneuf du Pape and they do it very well.

Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has apples, golden raisins, and slight lemon notes.  On the palate, this has a slightly viscous texture.  Apples and pears with a nice streak of acidity.  Moderate finish.  This drinks smoothly right now on its own.  It will work well with lighter foods.  Drink over the next few years.