I finally got to stop by the Tatum Cellars (website) tasting room to try out their wines. Even more exciting, it was a Thursday night – vinyl night. The tasting room is small, but has a nice outdoor patio. We decided to try everything. And went home with at least one of each. Josh, the winemaker and owner, is usually the one pouring so you can learn as much or as little about the wine as you want. A great stop.
Mourvèdre
This is aged in mostly neutral oak with 5% in new oak. This gives it a really spicy pepper flavor that isn’t overwhelming. My first thought is to put it with steak, but the flavor is so good you could just drink it in front of the fire on a Thursday night. Honestly, my notes say “smells like happiness.”
Rosé de Grenache
This rosé is made in the style of a Provençal Rosé and is slightly effervescent. It has a grapefruit scent and a long sweet (but tart) finish. A bit dry, but neither overly sweet or overly dry. Technically it is a Pet Nat (Petillant Naturel) [read what that means here]. It’s perfect for Thai on
Tuesday or the porch after a long week on Friday.
Roussanne
This is a very citrus and buttery Roussanne. It has a deep cream flavor, almost like browned butter. It’s oak fermented on the lees to give it that characteristic. We decided it should be paired with grilled pineapple. I’ve reviewed the Roussanne before, and you can read it here. Having it in the tasting room, away from food – I’d still rate it a Wednesday.
Grenache
This has a good cherry flavor that is tart but sweet. I honestly didn’t make many notes on this one a I was just enjoying it to much. Definitely a Friday night treat yourself wine with aa good flavor that can just be sipped without food.
Syrah
Good berry scent with a good spice flavor. Its aged in neutral oak on the lees, which gives it the scent of coffee and cardamon. It has a nice sweetness that doesn’t overwhelm. This would be perfect with Lazy Dog’s bison meatloaf dinner… or a Frito Pie. Perfect for Wednesday night.
Final Thoughts
So, what did we like? Well, we went home with at least one of each. Josh, the winemaker and owner, is usually the one pouring so you can learn as much or as little about the wine as you want. A great stop right in downtown Johnson City on the square – which is decked out at the holidays. Plus, you can’t go wrong with just stopping in for a glass of wine while you wait for a table at 290 Locale Winery & Pizzeria (more). [They don’t serve Tatum, but they should since the rosé or syrah would go really well with the LBJ….]
Not familiar with my philosophy on wines or ranking system. Check them out here.
