Tablas Creek Esprit de Tablas Rouge, Paso Robles 2021
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96+
Vinous
Dark and brooding in the glass, the 2021 Esprit de Tablas smolders up with an array of dried violet and lavender tones, crushed ashen stone and hints of
white pepper. Silken in feel, this impresses with its balance of concentration and textural depth, all riding a wave of mineral-inflected red and black fruits. It’s
dramatically long and structured. Fine-grained tannins ex upon the senses as blue and purple inner orals slowly fade. There’s so much potential here, but it will be many years before the 2021 reveals all of its hidden charms. Despite a heat spike in July, the 2021 vintage was moderate with a cool harvest period that gifted Tablas Creek with an exceptionally healthy selection of fruit.
The 2021 Esprit de Tablas is a blend of 35% Mourvèdre, 26% Grenache, 23% Syrah, 7% Vaccarèse, 5% Cinsaut and 4% Counoise. A touch shy from its recent bottling, it slowly unfurls scents of briar fruit, pipe tobacco, dried herbs and botanical tones, gaining in spicy expression as it spends time in the glass. The medium-bodied palate explodes with floral flavors! It has a gently chewy texture, fireworks of fresh acidity and a long, graphite-laced finish. Offer it a couple years in a bottle or some time in a decanter. 2,820 cases produced.
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Tablas Creek Esprit de Tablas Rouge, Paso Robles 2022
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94
Vinous
The 2022 Esprit de Tablas has mellowed in an enticing way, delivering a perfumed bouquet of roses, geraniums, wet slate and dried black cherries. Cooling acidity and inner violet florals impart a graceful character as a wave of tart wild berry and blackberry fruits slowly saturates. This enshrouds the palate in fine-grained tannins and wild blueberries as it finishes with excellent length and a gentle inner sweetness. The 2022 is a darling with both upfront appeal and cellar potential.
There’s a wide, appealing array of aromas on the nose of this blend of 40% Mourvèdre, 28% Grenache, 22% Syrah, 4% Vaccarese, 3% Cinsaut and 3% Counoise, from dark strawberry and boysenberry to earthy, minty sagebrush to more candied cherry tones. Lavish strawberry, rose petal and violet flavors are rich on the palate, with hints of fennel pollen and toasted chaparral adding depth.
A complex and inviting nose of bramble berries, coffee beans, tobacco leaves and violets. The palate is full-bodied but fresh, with silky smooth tannins and bright acidity, showing notes of wild blackberries, dark chocolate and orange rind. Wonderfully balanced and giving. Made from a blend of 40% mourvedre, 28% grenache, 22% syrah, 4% vaccarese, 3% counoise and 3% cinsault. Drink or hold.
The 2022 Esprit de Tablas is 40% Mourvèdre, 28% Grenache, 22% Syrah, 4% Vaccarese, 3% Counoise and 3% Cinsaut. The energetic nose displays classic aromas of decadent dark fruits, new leather, fresh herbs and bright spices within a refined, graceful package. The palate strikes a delicious balance between sumptuous, ample concentration and palpable precision, remaining tight and focused without ever approaching austerity. The finish is impressively long and multidimensional, with a beautiful balance of tight, fine tannins and very bright, clean, energetic acidity. This feels gently guided and meticulously crafted rather than polished and uniform, and I am eager to follow its development.
A tightly focused version, with richly textured violet and pepper accents to the brambly raspberry core. Gets a nice lift of acidity as this finishes around firming tannins and baking spice details. Mourvèdre, Grenache, Syrah, Vaccarèse, Cinsaut and Counoise. Drink now through 2030. 2,925 cases made.
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