2017 Tablas Creek Vineyard, Rosé “Dianthus” Adelaida District, Paso Robles.
The Mourvedre heavy, Tempier style, Dianthus Rosé by Tablas Creek is a full bodied and richer version from this Paso Robles winery, iconic for Rhone themed wines and known for its gift of vine cuttings, originally from the famed Château de Beaucastel estate in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Vividly pink/magenta in glass 2017, this Dianthus, from a warm vintage, is perfect for Fall and Winter cuisine as well as Summer, has loads of flavor and a nice sense of underlying zip and mineral tones, making for a mouth filling and complex example of California Rosé. One of the best Domaine Tempier, Bandol region, inspired wines along with Morgan Twain-Peterson’s “Ode to Lulu” Bedrock Wine Company Rosé, the Tablas Creek Dianthus” is made up of mainly Mourvedre with a good dose of Grenache and some Counoise, which adds the zesty spark here to contrast the structure and density of fruit from the meaty Mourvedre and ripe opulence of the Grenache. Working in biodynamics and with all organic practices, Tablas Creek, based on Paso’s west side with its cooler zone and limestone soils, continues to be one of the most influential and authentic wineries in California, making a great and varied selection of quality Rhone offerings.
The Tablas Creek Vineyard Dianthus 2017, is last years wine, but still vibrant and the maturity hasn’t slowed down this fabulous wine, it is a blend of three estate-grown varietals, and as mentioned, these cuttings were propagated from budwood cuttings from Château de Beaucastel vines and was crafted in the saignee method, a bleeding of the juice from ripe red grapes as the name suggests and seeing a touch of wood in the aging, making it a more textural and vinous wine, it is serious stuff and has a longer shelf life. The 2017 shows plum water, watermelon, tart cherry, strawberry and orange marmalade fruits along with dried flowers, wet chalk, wild herb/lavender, cinnamon and delicate earthiness, adding a touch of rosewater and the finish is crisp, but very lingering. The is a sense of dense impact, but overall the performance is elegant and poised, this Dianthus Rosé is a wonderful food wine, especially good with mussels in spicy broth, outdoor cuisine including BBQ and it has enough substance to hold up to bold dishes, drink now and for the next year, and be sure not to miss the 2018, which should be even better! Tablas gets more interesting every year, be sure to sample the latest releases and don’t over look their whites, which are awesome and their pinks.
($27 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive