Community Tasting Note
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tward Likes this wine: 90 points
April 11, 2020 - A seven year screwcap wonder. The last of these I had on hand, I wasn't sure what to expect and I was very pleasantly surprised.
I'd have guessed this is a very Grenache-heavy SoRo and wouldn't have blinked if someone told me it was an basic CdP bottling from a decent house. Seriously. I'd have guessed 80% Grenache, 60% minimum, yet this is 45% Syrah, 29% Grenache, 22% Mourvedre and the balance Counoise. Though there are some background meaty qualities, it is the remaining brightness and spice of the Grenache that shine through.
This was best on PnP and as the bottle emptied, a couple of hours later the last bits did seem to flatten and dry up a bit. Really impressive QPR, particularly as I'd bought at a discount a number of years ago.
Note that my cellar is good, but not ideal, seasonally moving from low-mid-50s to low-mid-60s F. So an ideal cellar could hold this for years more. Wow.
[Edit: I see I have four other TNs on this wine. Five years ago it was an '87' and the same in late 2017, along with an '88', then an '89' two years ago. Now the '90'. Take points with a grain of salt, but it's clear I became more impressed as this entry-level screwcap wine aged. Impressive. It is also interesting to see my impression of the wine go from "Syrah begins to dominate with dark fruits" and "ripe profile, dark fruit dominates" to "I'd have guessed this is a very Grenache-heavy... the remaining brightness and spice of the Grenache that shine through". Interesting to see how the different varietals rotated through center stage.]3 people found this helpful 1,115 views
4 Comments
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srh commented:
4/21/20, 4:51 PM - WOW! I just stumbled across your INCREDIBLY thorough review -- & am *genuinely* GOBSMACKED! :) My congrats on the EFFORT you put forth! :)
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tward commented:
4/21/20, 7:17 PM - I was impressed given the price, intent, and age of the wine!
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tward commented:
9/1/20, 2:39 PM - Tablas just announced this as a library wine available for sale. "Five years ago, we stashed about 100 cases of the 2013 Patelin de Tablas because we wanted to show how well even our entry-level Patelin de Tablas blend could age."
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srh commented:
9/1/20, 4:44 PM - TY for the heads up, tward! :)