Tablas Creek Esprit de Tablas Blanc Paso Robles 2013

The Data

Country USA

Appellation Paso Robles

Varietal White Blend

Retail Price $45

ABV 13%

Score 4 Stars/91 points

In the Glass

Appearance

Brilliant, golden straw color.

Aromatics

The nose is rich with the scent of fresh, ripe orchard fruit with a generous dose of butterscotch and hints of citrus, fennel fronds, and mineral.

Flavor

The palate is in full agreement with the nose delivering a lush, silky fruit core with supporting notes brown butter and oak.

Intensity & Texture

Full-bodied with rich fruit and oak accents foiled by bright acidity and a robust structure.

Cool Factor

Tablas Creek is a unique winery in California seamlessly marrying Old World and New World winemaking and setting the standard for Rhône varietals in California. What could be cooler?

Value Grade

C+

At $45 a bottle it's certainly beyond many wine drinkers weeknight budget but considering the pedigree and the fact that this wine will age very gracefully we recommend it.

Analysis

The Esprit de Tablas is a different animal than its white blend siblings being Roussanne forward with an unmistakable oak impression. The blend is: 71% Roussanne, 21% Grenache Blanc, and 8% Picpoul Blanc. The harvest ran from early September to early October. The Roussanne was fermented in a variety of barrel sizes, all neutral (not new) oak and all of the wine went through malolactic offering rounder, creamier edges to the natural acidity. 91 points out of 100.

How to Enjoy

This is a serious and meaty white that calls for braised dishes with loads of garlic and herbs, as well as oily fish and even duck.