Beverage of the Week (BOW)
Tablas Creek Esprit de Tablas Adelaida District 2017
Product Story
This dense and charming Châteauneuf du Pape tribute created in Paso Robles is crafted with a blend of 40% Mourvedre, 35% Syrah, 20% Grenache, and 5% Counoise. In this Tablas Creek red their dense estate-grown Mourvedre takes the lead, which is unmistakable from the first nosing to the last sip. 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 May 2018 and then rested in a foudre for an additional year before bottling. This is a beautiful, gentle beast of a wine.
Brand Story
Tablas Creek is a unique animal on the California wine scene. They are unquestioned pioneers in the movement of Rhône-styled wines in California and many consider them to be the absolute best-in-class. While many wineries in California make wines with classic Rhône varietals, Tablas Creek makes wines with the heart and soul of the Rhône. They were founded in 1989 by a collaboration between two iconic wine families – the Perin family of Chateau de Beaucastel and the Haas family of Vineyard Brands. Together they chose vineyard locations in Paso Robles, imported vine cuttings from the Rhône, and built vineyards and a winery from the dirt up. Their vineyard site in the Adelaida District of Paso Robles is a close match to climatic conditions and soils found at Chateau de Beaucastel. Their wines are not at all typically Californian in style. While they are not clones of Rhône wines, they are rather a unique expression of Paso Robles fruit grown at elevation with the winemaking touch of an old Rhône master. The resulting wines are filled with personality, never compromised, and frequently world-class.
Tasting Note
Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of blackberry, black tea, and earth with supporting notes of smoked meat, mocha, violet, blackcurrant, and cigar box. The palate confirms the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of plum, black cherry, and sweet balsamic. The finish is long and lingering with chewy and ripe tannins with crushed black fruits and mineral. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a meaty texture.
How to Serve
This dense and rich wine really needs to be decanted to be fully enjoyed. It does drink very well now but cellaring will undoubtedly reveal additional nuances. This wine will live for a decade-plus in your cellar. Pair with roasted duck, grilled lamb, or beef braised in red wine.
Price: $ 60
BevX Review: http://bevx.com/wine-detail/?id=3940
