Winemaker Notes
Blend: 43% Syrah, 28% Grenache, 23% Mourvedre, 6% Counoise
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Medium ruby in color, the 2021 Patelin de Tablas is a blend of 43% Syrah, 28% Grenache, 23% Mourvèdre and 6% Counoise. It has inviting aromas of blood orange, raspberry and pomegranate with touches of tar and forest floor. The medium-bodied palate is chalky and fresh with a concentrated core of crunchy fruit and a long, floral finish. Best After 2023
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Decanter
Bright, lifted aromas open on this palate-pleasing Syrah-Grenache-Mourvèdre-based blend, with a touch of Counoise, all sourced from some of Paso's top Rhône-producing vineyards – blueberries and earthy spices wrapped with lovely floral notes. The palate dances with texture, its juicy black raspberry and cherry flavours pure, vibrant and long. There's an irresistible drink-me-now message in this one, but deceptive weight and a vein of iron-rich minerality keep it serious, too.
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James Suckling
A bright, brambly nose showing strawberries, raspberries and licorice. A fresh, elegant palate, fluid, medium-bodied with a firm backbone of tannins. Pristine, fruit-expressive finish. 43% syrah, 28% grenache, 23% mourvedre and 6% counoise.
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.
Paso Robles has made a name for itself as a source of supple, powerful, fruit-driven Central Coast wines. But with eleven smaller sub-AVAs, there is actually quite a bit of diversity to be found in this inland portion of California’s Central Coast.
Just east over the Santa Lucia Mountains from the chilly Pacific Ocean, lie the coolest in the region: Adelaida, Templeton Gap and (Paso Robles) Willow Creek Districts, as well as York Mountain AVA and Santa Margarita Ranch. These all experience more ocean fog, wind and precipitation compared to the rest of the Paso sub-appellations. The San Miguel, (Paso Robles) Estrella, (Paso Robles) Geneso, (Paso Robles) Highlands, El Pomar and Creston Districts, along with San Juan Creek, are the hotter, more western appellations of the greater Paso Robles AVA.
This is mostly red wine country, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel standing out as the star performers. Other popular varieties include Merlot, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Grenache and Rhône blends, both red and white. There is a fairly uniform tendency here towards wines that are unapologetically bold and opulently fruit-driven, albeit with a surprising amount of acidity thanks to the region’s chilly nighttime temperatures.