Tablas Creek

What better way to wind down spring break than catching up with friends?  And so it was that I found myself on Easter Sunday afternoon sharing a glass (ok, several glasses) of wine with Willows neighbors.

After finishing the last of an open bottle of J Pinot Gris (a favorite "house white" for its delightful drinkability and practical screw top), we moved on to something new: Tablas Creek 2009 Vermentino.  We found this wine to be light and refreshing, with a hint of citrus -- perfect for an Easter Sunday afternoon.

Next, we moved on to another Tablas Creek bottle, the 2009 Bergeron.  This wine was delicious, and totally different from the first, with hints of vanilla, caramel, and toasty oak.  It smells and tastes a bit like burnt marshmallow -- in a good way.  It was great with a slightly spicy appetizer.

Thanks to neighbors Laurie and Doug Bauer for introducing us to Tablas Creek.  They are big fans of the Paso Robles winery, which grows traditional Rhone varietals.  Laurie and Doug also make their own wines with friends under the Wren's Nest label.  They were kind enough to share a bottle of Syrah with me last fall, which I loved.