It’s that time of year… Yes, it’s Rosé season!. With that in mind, I’ve embarked upon a series of weekly “Drink Pink!“ Rosé tastings.  This week’s Rosé is the 2012 Tablas Creek Vineyard Dianthus.

The Winery

Tablas Creek Vineyard (“TCV”) is probably the best-known of all Paso Robles wineries specializing in Rhone style wines.  It is a partnership between Robert Haas, and the Perrin Family of Chateau de Beaucastel in the Chateauneuf du Pape region in France. What I find interesting about TCV is that they specifically chose to establish themselves in Paso Robles because of the similarities of the soil conditions and climate of Paso Robles to Chateauneuf du Pape.  They went as far as to import vines from Chateauneuf du Pape.  The vines were propagated and grafted in their on-site nursery and used to plant their 120 acre organic vineyard.  Check the full story here.

 The Wine

Tablas Creek (“TCV”) is no newcomer to Rosé.  Unlike many relative newcomers who have hopped aboard the dry Rosé bandwagon as of late, TCV has been producing a Rosé since 1999. And that’s no surprise given their association with Chateau de Beaucastel in the Southern Rhone region in France.

Dianthus is a new name our estate rosé — in former vintages called simply Rosé — and refers to a genus of flowering plants known for their deep pink blossoms and known colloquially as “pinks”.

What is new for 2012 is that TCV decided to produce two Rosés.  This wine, Dianthus, is dominated by Mourvedre( 60% Mourvedre, 25% Grenache, 15% Counoise.  Whereas, the Patelin de Tablas Rose (see related post below) is predominately Grenache.

The fruit for this wine sourced the oldest section of French-sourced vines on their 120-acre certified organic estate vineyard. The grapes were harvested and co-fermented together on skins in stainless steel. After 48 hours, about 800 gallons of juice was bled off, and fermented dry away from the skins. Those lots were further supplemented with saignées (bleedings) from other Mourvèdre and Grenache lots in the cellar.

As an aside, I tasted this wine at the Rhone Ranger San Francisco tasting back in March and it’s evolved nicely. It’s more aromatic now.

My tasting notes follow:

Cranberry red color with red berry,watermelon and dried rose aromas. Slow legs On the palate, it’s medium-bodied, balanced and dry with medium-acidity, and strawberry, cherry, red plum, spiced watermelon, and mineral flavors. Medium-long finish. 14.5% alcohol| SRP- $27| 1,200 cases produced

Rating:  A-:   The deeper color of the wine portends a richer, more full-bodied experience that most Rosé wines. Score!

Pair with: This Rosé is more full-bodied than most. That’s a beautiful thing is my book.  I love Rosé, and it’s great to have one on that will pair with the “weight” of heavier foods. Not all summer fare is lightweight, and remember Rosé is a wonderful wine at the table year-round (I could easily seen this pairing well with a Thanksgiving meal).  For summertime,  a Grilled Ahi Tuna Salad, or Paella comes to mind!

Sample purchased for review 

Related posts:

• Drink PInk! Rosé of the Week: 2012 Tablas Creek Vineyard Patelin de Tablas Rosé
• Wine of the Week: 2010 Tablas Creek Vineyard Cotes de Tablas
• Wine of the Week: 2009 Tablas Creek Vineyard Grenache
• Wine of the Week: 2010 Tablas Creek Vermentino
• Wine of the Week: 2009 Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel

Ratings Key:

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This article is original to ENOFYLZ Wine Blog.com. Copyright 2013 ENOFYLZ Wine Blog. All rights reserved.