2021 Patelin de Tablas Blanc

The secret to Paso Robles is often a balance of power and acidity to find harmony. Tables Creek relies, instead, on their vast portfolio of focused, graceful and terroir-driven wines. The winery, established in 1989, is located in the extreme western reaches of Paso Robles, within the Adelaida district. The vineyards, all contiguous, are carefully divided into blocks that allow the team, led by winemaker Neil Collins in close conjunction with proprietor Jason Haas, to give individual care as needed. In recent years, Tables Creek has switched from organic and partial biodynamic practices to full-on regenerative. The regenerative system creates an environment that sustainably nurtures itself from the inside out. This includes a focus on soil health, biodiversity, no tilling, active flocks of sheep, sustainable energy and paying all workers a living wage to better everything within and attached to the farm. Regenerative is a term that readers will be hearing a lot more about in the coming years. Tablas spearheaded the process, being the first winery to receive an official certification from the Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA). As for the wines, both the reds and whites are superb. Most of what I tasted was from the 2021 vintage, which is very exciting. It’s essential to keep in mind that Tablas Creek can often be misjudged by the average consumer looking for a Paso Robles experience. The new releases are almost always understated yet complex and refined. In most cases, these don’t just require further aging but demand it. With that said, patient collectors will reap the rewards.