2010 Tablas Creek En Gobelet
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Tasting notes
A blend of 37% Grenache, 28% Mourvedre, 13% Syrah, 12% Counoise and 10% Tannat, the 2010 En Gobelet comes all from head-trained, dry-farmed vines and was aged all in foudre and larger French oak puncheons. A big, structured effort, it delivers classic southern Rhone-like aromas and flavors of black cherries, saddle leather, licorice, crushed flowers and mineral to go with a medium to full-bodied, well textured, yet structured feel on the palate. Possessing ample tannin and integrated acidity, it should hit peak form 4-5 years after the vintage and drink nicely through 2024. Drink 2014-2024. Certainly a reference point for Paso Robles, Tablas Creek continues to produce wines in a restrained, age-worthy and savory style that sets them apart. Both 2010 and 2011 are strong here, with the 2010s showing additional depth and concentration and the 2011s showing pretty, elegant profiles. I suspect the 2011s will be on faster evolutionary tracks, but given their balance, they could surprise in the cellar. In addition to their current releases, I was able to do short verticals of their Esprit de Beaucastel (which is now called Esprit de Tablas) and Panoplie. To say I came away impressed would be an understatement. Tel. (805) 237-1231; www.tablascreek.com
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(37% grenache, 28% mourvedre, 13% syrah, 12% counoise and 10% tannat): Vivid ruby. Complex, highly aromatic nose displays candied red berries, minerals, potpourri and Asian spices. Perfumed and sappy in the mouth, with a silky texture and deep raspberry and floral pastille flavors given lift by juicy acidity. Gentle tannins give grip and bite to the long, focused finish.
The 2010 En Gobelet is a big wine, but all the elements meld together gracefully, probably because of the co-fermentation Tablas Creek employs for this field blend of 37% Grenache, 28% Mourvèdre, 13% Syrah, 12% Counoise and 10% Tannat, all from head-trained, dry-farmed vines. Today, it is the purity of the fruit and the silkiness of the tannin that stands out most, but with another year or so the aromatics should become more expressive and nuanced. Dark red berries, licorice, herbs and tobacco are layered into the dense, energetic finish. This is a promising En Gobelet.
One of the stars of the 2010 barrel samples, the smoking 2010 Tablas Creek En Gobelet, a blend of 37% Grenache, 28% Mourvèdre, 13% Syrah, 12% Counoise, 10% Tannat that comes all from head trained vines, delivers exotic, floral aromas of pit and spice-laced purple fruits, citrus, soy, and violets on the nose. Medium to full-bodied, with gorgeous precision, a dense, concentrated mid-palate, and fantastic length, this immensely promising blend should benefit from short to mid-term cellaring, and have 10-12 years or more of overall longevity.