The Data

Country   USA

Appellation   Adelaida District

Varietal   Red Blend

Retail Price   $60

ABV   13.5%

Score   5 Stars/97 points

In the Glass

Brilliant, deep ruby color.

The aromatics are very intense offering scents of black plum and black currant with supporting notes of anise, black tea, slate, and campfire.

The palate echoes the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of blackberry, five spice, and smoked meat. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins and subtle, sweet balsamic notes on the finish.

Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a meaty yet silky 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

This is not your everyday wine as it's Tablas Creek's top red blend. Considering the pedigree, class, and pure hedonistic pleasure we find it to be a value at $60.

Analysis

The 2018 Esprit de Tablas is a charming and nuanced Châteauneuf du Pape tribute created in Paso Robles by Tablas Creek. If you love the wines of the Rhône and have not tried Tablas Creek — what are you waiting for? It's crafted with a blend of 40% Mourvedre, 27% Syrah, 23% Grenache, and 10% Counoise. The blend changes from vintage to vintage but the Esprit is always led by Mourvedre (ranging from 49% to 40% in the six vintages we have reviewed). The grapes for this wine were grown in their certified organic and biodynamic estate vineyard. The four varietals were all fermented separately in a variety of vessels from wooden, upright fermenters, open-top tanks, and closed stainless steel. The best lots were blended in June 2019 and then rested in a foudre for an additional 13 months before bottling. What a beauty with power and elegance.

How to Enjoy

Drink now or later — that is a the big question. If you drink this wine this year please decant it and wait for 30 to 60 minutes before serving. This wine will live for a decade-plus in your cellar. Pair with roasted duck, grilled lamb, or beef braised in red wine.