Patelin de Tablas Blanc

For me some of the most interesting wines coming out of California in the last year or so are white wines using traditional southern Rhone grapes.  They are different, and most of them have been quite good.

Here's another good example, a 2010 Patelin de Tablas Blanc from the Tablas Creek winery in the Paso Robles area,  This is the California outpost of Perrin Family of Chateau Beaucastel from the Rhone.

The blend is 50% Grenache Blanc, 33% Viognier, 10% Roussanne and 7% Marsanne, a who's who list of white grapes from the Rhone.

Very floral nose with bits of honeysuckle vine, white flowers and freshly cut melons.  Tart and sharp in the mouth with a great taste of grapefruit, apricots, melon and citrus zest.  Long, tart finish that ended tasting a little like a white peach. 

There was a second preparation of shrimp and clams in a tomato, fish fumet and fennel sauce with some added orange zest.  Great match with the wine.

13.5% alcohol land $14