In creating the 2023 Patelin de Tablas Blanc, the alchemists at Tablas Creek Vineyard blended six white Rhône varieties sourced from eight different Paso Robles vineyards that just might inspire you to reevaluate all you think you believe about the long-held belief that Chardonnay is the King of All White Grapes. Here you get Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne, Vermentino, not to mention the ever-popular Bourboulenc. 

For the detail-oriented among us, here’s the breakdown of what’s from where:

• 32% Viognier and Grenache Blanc from New Creations(Templeton Gap District)
• 24% Viognier, Grenache Blanc, and Marsanne from Derby(Templeton Gap District)
• 19% Grenache Blanc from Summerwood (Templeton Gap District)
• 8% Vermentino from Duas Terras (Geneseo District)
• 7% Grenache Blanc from Templeton Preserve (El Pomar District)
• 7% Roussanne from Nevarez (Estrella District)
• 2% Roussanne from Creston Ridge(El Pomar District)
• 1% Bourboulenc from Tablas Creek Vineyard's Regenerative Organic Certified™ estate

Not to worry, there’ll be no exam, but it’s safe to say that Grenache Blanc drives this wine, with Viognier providing the aromatic finesse  and the other varieties filling in the spaces.

If you’ve read this far, it’s probably useful to know that all of these grapes from whole-cluster pressed and co-fermented into stainless steel before aging in more stainless steel tanks until deemed ready for bottling. The wine is fresh and vibrant, as appropriate for geeking out to as it is just slurping down with nary a care in the world. The Patelin blanc may also be seen as a throwback to the old days when wines from Paso Robles could be bottled at a mere 12.5% alcohol and not taste at all wimpy and unfulfilling. Elegance and finesse are the key descriptors here, which is exactly what your friends will think about you when you pour this for them.