Tablas Creek: Patelin de Tablas 2023
Nabbed this at Costco when I saw it there.
Nose is bright fruit, strawberries, raspberries. Taste is an initial burst of fresh fruit, chewy tannins along with some nice acidity. Then a long herbal aftertaste, but not too bitter. Balanced. Flavors evolve throughout, interesting. Could probably improve a little if it had a few years.
I am not a traditional wine aficionado, I haven't been to a lot of tastings or wineries, I just drink a lot of wine with my wife (or by myself like a creep). Tablas Creek is one of the few wineries I have a longer relationship with. I had a tasting for them once, and I've sought out their wines whenever I see them since.
Their whole thing (to my understanding) is working with growers of old world grape varietals, and turning it into new world wine. That is at least partially why this one has so much stuff mixed together.
I believe Patelin de Tablas is more of their budget offering? Overall its quite good, bright and fresh. If you're eating a heavy meal or a lot of read meat you may want to go for something a little more intense, but I think this is a great wine for everyday use (though the price tag is a little on the high side).
One interesting note is the high level of what I assume to be tartaric acid crystals present in the wine, they ended up all over the walls of my wine glass. Curious how it will age, but not sure I have the patience to wait a few years before drinking the second bottle I bought.
Anyway, great wine.
NatScore: 3.5/5 Tasty