Description
Tablas Creek Syrah, Paso Robles '22
VARIETAL/BLEND INFORMATION: This wine is a pure varietal expression, composed of 100% Syrah. The fruit was sourced entirely from the winery's certified organic and biodynamic estate vineyard in the Adelaida District, selected from blocks that showcased the most classic varietal character to stand alone without blending.
VINTAGE & TERROIR: The 2022 vintage was defined by extreme conditions, marking the third consecutive year of drought in Paso Robles. While the growing season began cool, a record-breaking heat dome in early September accelerated ripening and compressed the harvest timeline. Despite the heat, the limestone-rich soils of the Adelaida District helped maintain freshness, while the drought conditions significantly reduced yields, resulting in fruit with immense concentration and thick skins. These terroir factors contributed to a wine of distinct minerality and structural intensity.
SENSORY DESCRIPTORS: In the glass, the wine pours a deep, opaque ruby with violet highlights. The nose is complex and intensely savory, leading with aromas of iron, soy, and crushed black peppercorns, balanced by dark fruit notes of blackberry and plum skin. On the palate, this full-bodied and dry wine reveals a juicier profile than the nose suggests, offering flavors of black raspberry, graphite, and a refreshing minty spice. The texture is dense yet energetic, framed by substantial, chalky tannins and a long finish driven by an iron-like mineral quality.
WINEMAKING & FARMING: Tablas Creek is the first winery in the United States to be Regenerative Organic Certified™, and this wine reflects those meticulous farming standards alongside biodynamic practices. Fermentation occurred with native yeasts in small open-top fermenters and stainless steel tanks to preserve terroir expression. Following pressing, the wine was blended and aged in a single 1,200-gallon French oak foudre and a selection of smaller, neutral barrels, avoiding aggressive new oak flavors to allow the fruit and earth notes to shine.
FOOD PAIRINGS: This savory, structured Syrah requires bold, protein-rich dishes. It pairs beautifully with slow-smoked Texas brisket, where the wine’s peppery notes and acidity cut through the rich, fatty bark of the meat. For a classic American comfort pairing, serve it alongside a grilled bison burger topped with melted blue cheese and caramelized onions; the gaminess of the bison and the pungency of the cheese complement the wine's inherent meaty, iron-like character.
CRITICAL ACCLAIM: The 2022 Syrah has garnered significant praise, with Wine Review Online (Rich Cook) awarding it 93 points for its "less ripe" style that emphasizes acidity and pepper over jammy fruit. Decanter rated it 95 points, and Wine Enthusiast gave it 93 points, noting its balance and delicacy. While priced in the premium tier, its pedigree as a limited-production, single-varietal bottling from a world-class Regenerative Organic estate makes it a benchmark example of American Rhone-style wines.
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