Winemaker Notes
A deep nose, powerfully reminiscent of Syrah and the Rhone, with notes of soy marinade, black pepper, chocolate, and fig. On the palate, equally balanced between Grenache's red fruit and acid and Syrah's dark fruit and power, with flavors of kirsch, bittersweet chocolate, black cherry, and chalky tannins. A serious, powerful Cotes de Tablas that is already delicious but with the stuffing to age.
Blend: 45% Grenache 33% Syrah 12% Counoise 10% Mourvèdre
Pair this wine alongside grilled steaks, pastas with meat sauces, rich beef stews, or spicy sausages.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
There’s an utter smoothness to this wine that must come from the decades of experience that the winery has in blending Rhône varieties. This mix of 45% Grenache, 33% Syrah, 12% Counoise and 10% Mourvèdre starts with cherry, hibiscus, crushed gravel and cola on the nose. The palate combines berry, baking-spice and cappuccino flavors, wrapped in a leathery structure.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Pale to medium ruby-purple, the 2018 Côtes de Tablas is a blend of 45% Grenache, 33% Syrah, 12% Counoise and 10% Mourvèdre. The nose offers pretty blackberry and blueberry fruit with accents of bergamot, graphite, dust, coffee bean and citrus peel. The palate is medium to full-bodied and gently styled with a soft, juicy frame, perfumed fruits and a long finish.
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Tasting Panel
A medium-ruby blend of mostly Grenache and Syrah with a spicy nose. Smooth, meaty, and dense; rich and earthy, with good acid structure, length, and balance.
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Wine Spectator
Precise yet expressive, with elegantly complex black cherry and raspberry flavors accented by smoky garrigue and cracked pepper flavors that build tension toward medium-bodied tannins. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Counoise. Drink now through 2027.
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.
