The Tablas Creek Vineyard 2021 Picardan is our sixth varietal bottling of this unique estate-grown varietal, propagated from budwood cuttings from the Château de Beaucastel estate. Picardan is one of the Rhone's most obscure white grapes, permitted in Chateauneuf du Pape but with a total footprint in France of just over one acre, although it was apparently more common before phylloxera's arrival in the 19th century. We imported it into the United States in 2003 as part of our goal to have all the Chateauneuf du Pape varieties. It was released to us in 2012, and we planted a half-acre in 2013. Its first harvest was 2016.

TASTING NOTES: The 2021 Picardan shows a complex, savory nose of lime, peppery citrus leaf, and briny oyster shell. On the palate, very bright with flavors of lemon and fresh green herbs, crushed rock, and sweet spice. The finish shows Picardan's characteristic zippy acids and lingering saline minerality. Drink over the next 3-5 years.