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
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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.
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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?
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Value Grade
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.
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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.
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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.