2010 Tablas Creek Vin de Paille Quintessence
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Tasting notes
(100% roussanne): Bright orange-gold. Ripe tropical fruits, honey and ginger on the hugely aromatic nose. Lush, weighty mango, pineapple and peach nectar flavors are brightened by a touch of bitter lemon pith and lifted by a spicy nuance. Shows very impressive energy for such a rich, sweet, even decadent wine, finishing with serious punch and cling. I imagine that this wine would go great with blue or washed rind cheeses but I'd be inclined to serve it by itself.
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Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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The 2010 Vin de Paille Quintessence (Roussanne) bursts from the glass with the essence of mango, passion fruit, dried flowers and honey all in a voluptuous, creamy style that is highly appealing. The Roussanne was air-dried prior to being pressed, resulting in a sweet wine with 199 grams of residual sugar. This is a gorgeous dessert wine from Tablas Creek.
A compelling sweet wine, the 2010 Vin de Paille Quintessence (Roussanne) bursts from the glass with the essence of mango, passion fruit, dried flowers and honey, all in a voluptuous, creamy style that is highly appealing. The Roussanne was air-dried prior to being pressed, resulting in a sweet wine with 199 grams of residual sugar. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020. As always, my tasting at Tablas Creek was a bit of a marathon session covering several dozen wines, but that is just a testament to a world-class winery that excels at so many things. This year I tasted with proprietor Jason Haas, winemaker Ryan Hebert and assistant winemaker Chelsea Magnusson. Haas describes 2011 as a difficult year. A devastating spring frost reduced yields by as much as 40% in some places. Vintage 2010 was characterized by a long growing season, but without the huge heat spikes that were seen elsewhere. It was also much more plentiful, which gave the winery the quality and ability to bottle its four main red Rhone varieties separately. Tel. (805) 237-1231; www.tablascreek.com
Possessing more than a passing resemblance to the Vin de Paille wines of Michel Chapoutier (even though those wines are make with Marsanne), the 2010 Tablas Creek Vin de Paille Quintessence is shockingly good and certainly one of the most Profound dessert wines I’ve tasted from California! Made from 100% Roussanne that was picked during harvest and then dried on straw mats for 3-weeks prior to pressing and fermentation in oak barrels, this oozes honeyed peach, apricot, and orange blossom like aromas on the nose. This is followed up by an unctuous, thick, yet gorgeously fresh mouth feel that despite having motor oil like richness, is light, perfectly balanced, and incredibly long. If you’re a dessert wine lover, don’t miss this!