Winemaker Notes
The 2005 Côtes de Tablas has an intensely Grenache nose of rare steak, pepper and blueberry. It is juicy and rich in the mouth, with ripe tannins and a finish laced with licorice.
Food pairings: Grilled steaks, pastas with meat sauces, rich beef stews, spicy sausages.
"There are 3,900 cases of this delicious, deep ruby/purple-hued offering. Aromas of smoke, roasted herbs, meat juices, black currants and cherries are followed by a medium to full-bodied wine displaying beautiful purity, fruit, and depth. Drink it over the next 5-6 years." 91 Points
Wine Advocate
June 30, 2008
"Deep ruby. Spicy red berries and cherry on the nose, with musky underbrush and baking spices adding complexity; smells like a really good southern Rhône wine. Fresh red fruit flavors are enlivened by zesty mineral and candied floral qualities. Finishes sweet but with a pleasing bitter cherry bite. The tannins here are silky and harmonious, never intruding on the suave fruit." 90 Points
International Wine Cellar
November 15, 2007
Professional Ratings
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
The largest and perhaps most varied of California’s wine-growing regions, the Central Coast produces a good majority of the state's wine. This vast California wine district stretches from San Francisco all the way to Santa Barbara along the coast, and reaches inland nearly all the way to the Central Valley.
Encompassing an extremely diverse array of climates, soil types and wine styles, it contains many smaller sub-AVAs, including San Francisco Bay, Monterey, the Santa Cruz Mountains, Paso Robles, Edna Valley, Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Maria Valley.
While the Central Coast California wine region could probably support almost any major grape varietiy, it is famous for a few Central Coast reds and whites. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel are among the major ones. The Central Coast is home to many of the state's small, artisanal wineries crafting unique, high-quality wines, as well as larger producers also making exceptional wines.