Wines and Beyond

White Wine by Tablas Creek from Central Coast, California. Blend: 70% Roussanne, 25% Grenache Blanc, 5% Picpoul Blanc The 2005 Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc is a vibrant expression of the terroir of Tablas Creek. It shows aromas of honeysuckle, mint, lemon peel and spice, with rich Roussanne flavors of honey, rose petals, pear, petrol and white flowers, excellent breadth, cleansing acidity and great length. It should drink well when young but will also reward time in bottle; it is expected to show beautifully for at least the next 5-7 years. Food pairings: Cooked shellfish (lobster, softshell crab, shrimp); roasted or grilled vegetables (eggplant, asparagus, peppers); foods cooked with garlic and olive oil; rich fish dishes (i.e., salmon, swordfish); Asian stir fry

White Wine by Tablas Creek from Central Coast, California. Blend: 65% Roussanne, 30% Grenache Blanc, 5% Picpoul Blanc The 2004 Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc is a vibrant expression of the terroir of Tablas Creek, with aromas of honeysuckle, pear, spice and mineral, flavors of caramel apple, lemon peel and honey, excellent breadth and a long clean finish. It will drink well when young but should also show beautifully for at least the next 5-7 years. Food pairings: Cooked shellfish (lobster, softshell crab, shrimp); roasted or grilled vegetables (eggplant, asparagus, peppers); foods cooked with garlic and olive oil; rich fish dishes (salmon, swordfish); Asian stir fry

White Wine by Bonny Doon from California. From what far-flung, telic appellation might be dispatched a white cigar? Le Cigare Blanc is the white analogue of Le Cigare Volant, Bonny Doon's homage to the complex blended wines of the Chateauneuf-du-Pape. This seasonal outing is based (60%) on the Roussane variety. This mysteriously subtle grape combines stone and mineral notes within a package surprisingly full of ripe orchard fruit. Grenache Blanc at 40% volume adds its own bright refreshing character, nearly merging this cuvee into the fast lane of snappiness, before the Rousanne takes charge, pulling stylishly over to the right and settling down for a seductively long ride.

White Wine by Tablas Creek from Central Coast, California. The Tablas Creek Vineyard Cotes de Tablas Blanc is a blend of four estate-grown white Rhone varietals: Viognier, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc, and Roussanne. The wine, like most wines of the Southern Rhone, is a blend of varietals, featuring the aromatics and fruit of the Viognier, the flavors and clean minerality of the Marsanne and Roussanne, and the crisp acids and rich mouthfeel of the Grenache Blanc. The 2006 Cotes de Tablas Blanc is Tablas Creek's fifth national release of its Viognier-based white blend. It features spicy aromas of herbs, stone fruits and minerals are followed in the mouth by apricot flavors, rich texture, bright acidity, and a long, clean, peachy finish. Food pairings: mussels Mariniere, green salads with avocado and citrus dressing, scallops, ceviche, light fish (halibut, sole) with tropical salsa