Cellar Notes

The Wines of Tablas Creek

By Al Spoler,

Published March 26, 2025 at 4:23 PM EDT

When a major French winery decides to invest in California wine country, you know that something good is bound to happen.

Price key: $=less than $20 $$= $20-40 $$$=$40-60 $$$$=above $60
Quality key: * = decent wine ** = very good wine *** = superb wine ****= elite
VALUE = exceptional quality for the money

Tablas Creek Blanc, Paso Robles ’23 ** $$
(Bone dry, blend of 7 white grapes, strong mineral, citrus flavors)

Tablas Creek “Cotes de Tablas” Paso Robles ’21 *** $$$
(Pricy, much like Chateauneuf du Pape, complex, big, yet graceful red)

WINE OF THE WEEK
Tablas Creek Patelin Rouge, Paso Robles ’22 **1/2 $$
(Decidedly New World style, but very reminiscent of Cotes du Rhone)

All of these wines can be purchased at Wells Discount Liquors

Cellar Notes

Al Spoler

Al Spoler, well known to WYPR listeners as the wine-loving co-host of "Cellar Notes" has had a long-standing parallel interest in cooking as well. Al has said, the moment he started getting serious about Sunday night dinners was the same moment he started getting serious about wine. Over the years, he has benefited greatly from being a member of the Cork and Fork Society of Baltimore, a gentlemen's dining club that serves black tie meals cooked by the members themselves who are some of Baltimore's most accomplished amateur cooks.

See stories by Al Spoler

Hugh Sisson

As General Partner of Clipper City Brewing Company, L.P., Hugh J. Sisson is among Baltimore's premier authorities on craft brewing and a former manager of the state's first pub brewery, Sissons, located in Federal Hill. A fifth generation Baltimorean, Hugh has been involved in all aspects of craft brewing.

See stories by Hugh Sisson