The Data

Country   USA

Appellation   Adelaida District

Varietal   Red Blend

Retail Price   $55

ABV   14.5%

Score   4.5 Stars/96 points

In the Glass

Brilliant, deep ruby color.

The aromatics are very intense offering scents of blackberry and boysenberryry with supporting notes of anise, mineral, and cigar box.

The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of cassis and red currant. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins.

Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a dense and meaty texture.

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

At over $50 a bottle it's not a bargain hunter's Rhône Ranger of choice but this is for lovers of Châteauneuf du Pape and in that proper context it's worth every penny.

Analysis

The Tablas Creek Esprit de Tablas is as close as you will get to Châteauneuf du Pape in California being made with vines propagated from budwood cuttings from the Château de Beaucastel estate. Again in 2015 Mourvedre takes the lead as the wine is crafted with a blend of 49% Mourvedre, 25% Grenache, 21% Syrah, and 5% Counoise. The 2015 vintage was the fourth consecutive drought year with alternating hot and cool periods. The grapes are all certified organic fruit. The wine was fermented with native yeast in stainless steel fermenters before being transferred to large French oak foudres until bottling. Another great Esprit de Tablas — 96 points.

How to Enjoy

This dense and rich wine really needs to be decanted to be fully enjoyed. It does drink well now but it needs some cellar time for it to show you all that it has. This wine will live for decades in your cellar. Pair with duck breast, roasted lamb, or beef braised in red wine.