Tablas Creek En Primeur 2017 Wines
Tablas Creek Vineyards
Tasted Saturday, December 1, 2018 by wilypod with 108 views
Introduction
TCV has an annual barrel tasting of its flagship Esprit and Panoplie Mourvedre based wines. TCV's model is of course that of its co-founder, Chateau de Beaucastel in Chateauneuf du Pape. I was eager to sample the 2017s because TCV is quite excited about the vintage, which had the benefit of healthy rains (after 5 years of drought) and a superb harvest.
Flight 1 - The Flagship Wines (3 Notes)
We tasted three Tablas Creek Mourvedre based-wines, the 2017 Panoplie, the 2017 Esprit, and for contrast the 2010 Esprit.
2017 Tablas Creek Panoplie
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles Adelaida District
From barrel. 69% Mourvedre, 17% Grenache, 14% Syrah. Black-hued with crimson blue edges. Aromas in the 55 F cellar were initially muted but emerged with powerful blackberry fruit, licorice, florals of old English dark roses, and umami resins. The palate is meaty and deeply flavorful, plusher yet somewhat less spicy than the 2017 Esprit, with a silky, satiny texture and tannins and a lengthy finish. This is so tasty and loaded it should drink well soon after its 2019 release and go out 20 years. Guessing 93-97 after bottling.
Both the Panoplie and Esprit reveal terroir character. Just as the Napa Rutherford Bench imparts notes of eucalyptus and prickly dust, the Adelaide AVA speaks a rained-on fir forest garrigue.
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2017 Tablas Creek Esprit de Tablas
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles Adelaida District
From the barrel. Saturated deep red, close to black. 40% Mourvedre, 35% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 5% Counoise. The 55 F temp was not helpful to releasing aromatics, but eventually a lovely nose emerged: very polished boysenberry and dark chocolate cherry, embossed with fir forest resin and umami notes. In the mouth the flavors are quite integrated, some Grenache pepper and red fruit peeking through, structuring acidity and youthful tannins that predict a bright future.
The overall profile is similar to the 2014 Esprit, perhaps a bit more deeply fruited, assertive and plush at this stage. Guessing 92-95.
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2010 Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel 93 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
I scored this wine an 87 in 2014. Patience is rewarded. With eight years of age this wine is approaching its peak. Crimson red and not showing much bricking. Warm scents of brown spices and roasted meat, morello cherries. As YATCHISIN noted a "gorgeous, giving" wine. Tannin and acidity are in harmony and make for a smooth, yet textured palate with leather, savory herbs, roast beef au jus and cherry notes. Was wonderful paired with an Alsatian Cassoulet with root vegetables.
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