91 2006 Tablas Creek Cotes de Tablas 3/22/09 ($20)
72% Grenache, 11% Syrah, 9% Mourvedre, 8% Counoise 14.8% alc
Color: Deep raspberry to black cherry. (3.0) Bouquet: Bramble, tree bark and other forestal nuances complementing red and black raspberry fruit. Rich with spice and black licorice. (3.0) Body: Excellent acidity, fruit and balance. Solid middleweight with structure, even a little tannin behind the fruit. (3.0) Flavor: Rich, racy red and black fruits with excellent spice, game and forestal flavors. More forward and delicious than the bouquet. (3.5) Finish: Parallels flavor, but not quite as intense. (3.0)
Overall: This is terrific stuff at a terrific price. It has delicious fruit, spice, game and forestal nuances with great balance and drinkability. Very light on its feet, yet intense. Game and forestal nuances with Grenache fruit is very Cote du Rhone-like, with the raciness of the fruit being the CA component. Cote du Rhone lovers must try this to experience what's possible in CA and CA Zin and Syrah fans must try this to experience what a Rhone wine can be. (15.5)