Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel Rouge 6/750 2010

Tablas Creek 2010 Esprit de Beaucastel, Paso Robles | 14.5% | 45% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache, 21% Syrah, 4% Counoise |
”I don’t always agree with Parker but this is worth every one of its 95 points…”
“Just the nose alone.”
“Isn’t it amazing?! It’s like history on the nose…”
Concentrated and penetratingly fragrant with leathern notes, sandalwood, baking spices, raspberries, kirsch, dark and lifted black fruit, wisps of sage and lavender, the palate cannot be contained in any language –save for that it is rich and resplendent, vibrant and dynamic, but ever even keeled and somehow calm with a sangfroid that bears all its fruit and savory notes which last long onto what seems an endless finish. 20 months in French oak tanks marries these varieties into a seamless union –even though the Mourvèdre lends the lion’s share of floral fruit and a wry edge of sauvage. What a marvel!
Nicholas Livingston, May 9, 2014 (Fruit)

The 2010 Esprit de Beaucastel shows Mourvedre's signature currant, balsamic, black tea and roasted meat aromas, given lift by a brighter raspberry note and notable minerality. The mouth is richer than the nose suggests, with plum, blueberry, pepper steak and dark chocolate notes. Well-mannered tannins keep order without blocking or weighing down the wine. This is an Esprit that will provide pleasure now, but which should also age gracefully for two decades.
Tasting notes from the winery

Expert Review

92 points; "silky, sweet and long": Tanzer's IWC (Nov. 2012)

93-95 points; "huge ... exciting ... refined": Wine Advocate (Aug. 2012)

93-95 points; "superb": The Rhone Report (Jun. 2012)

Food Pairings

• Game
• Dark Fowl (i.e., duck)
• Richly flavored stews
• Lamb
• Asian preparation of red meats (i.e., beef stir fry)