Drinking perfectly now! So interesting at this phase that Mourvedre is the main wine, but flavor-wise, it is grenache that is dominating on the palate.
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The cork was completely crumbled on this bottle. But still sealed with no leakage along the side of the cork. A bit brickish on the color. Not as crisp and fresh as I would have liked for a 2010 TCV out of a 1.5L. Clearly Mourvedre based. Good but not fabulous GSM. I have one more bottle to sample. Stay tuned.
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Maybe I had a bad bottle but it had none of the notes described here. Fell flat across the board with a kind of acrid taste. A small hint of black berries trying to get through but generally disappointing.
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Beautiful wine right now, drinking like an old Beaucastel. 45% Mourvedre/30% Grenache/21% Syrah/4% Counoise. Red/black cherry and dried plum fruit. Notes of stewed tomatoes, red licorice, savory herbs, olive tapenade, and spice. Nice acidity and finish. Great right now and over the next year or two.
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As good as the first bottle: Gorgeous, giving wine. Plush mouthfeel, deep dark berry/plum fruit that keeps going. A delight. (Cork did break, but after a decant it was fine.)
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The smooth texture of this wine was excellent. However, I wish we would have drunk it a year or so earlier as it is starting to get that raisin-y, stewed fruit taste which is not my favorite flavor for wine.
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This is a good time for drinking this vintage -- right now it is within a very nice space -- it has matured and has the signature blend of tastes and smells.
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I expected this 2010 to hold up better. With 43% Mourvèdre I expected more rusticity and earthiness. IMO drink now, no hold. My preference is a good Bandol.
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PNP. Soft red fruit. Earthy notes, a little savory, fleshy texture. Needed a couple hours to open up. Full bodied, flavorful CA GSM but still fresh, not jammy. Ready to go, but no rush.
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Still excellent -- but agree with other recent reviews that this was the time to open and enjoy it -- the flavors are all there, but its not quite the 'out of the ballpark' hit that we'd been expecting. This was opened for a birthday celebration, and perhaps we'd anticipated it too strongly from the other bottles. Really one to be savored and enjoyed.
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Definitely hitting stride with this wine. I would not age much more. I have one more 750, and two 1.5's. I will definitely have the 1.5 at the next large gathering.
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With Isobel and Jeroen at Blue point...last wine of the evening.
From prior notes:"Dark red core. Nose showing dark fruits, black raspberry, dried flowers, incense. Nose built in depth over first 2 hours. Rich and viscous palate, dark cherry, spice, spice cake, cola. Sappy red fruits and lavender through the mid palate. Full body and long finish...."
Spice is notable on this wine, shows better about 30 minutes in. Calif meets CdP...in a great spot
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Very nice bottle. Lots of dark fruit flavors and aromas. I got a bit of clove and cinnamon on the finish. Everything very well-integrated and it was delicious with stir-fry noodles and char siu marinated ribeye steak.
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Opened tonight with venison-black bean chili. Wonderfully fruity, thick with enough acid to keep it from veering into jammy. Clearly Californian, yet with a passing nod to the S Rhone in its flavor profile. Still with plenty of life left in it.
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Typical TC CdP style - beautifully balanced, lots of red and blue fruits, some earth, spices and minerality to round out out. Drank over two nights, and it was definitely at its peak in the first, after an hour or so decant in the glass. But night two, some of the brightness had begun to fade. But this is a winner, as are so many from TC.
TCV vintage chart says this 2010 is in the good place right now, and we agree, though still has many more great years ahead of it. This wine needs a 2+ hour decant time to really show itself. Has wonderful layers of typical southern Rhone flavors that are well integrated and balanced. This acidity is lively on the finish, which is smooth and lengthy showing the wonderful fruit and garrigue flavors. Went fantastic with our grain bowls top with roasted root vegetables and other delectables.
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The wine has moved to a lighter refined area compared to the last time I had it a couple of years ago, which was quite muscular and very herbal. Everything seems to have integrated together and is drinking nicely.
Strawberry, iron, flinty, stony, misc minerality, garrique and other herbs. Dusty mid palate tannins, cherry cordial, minerals, acid, lingering spicy finish.
Paired well with a Tablas recommended recipe: "Pork loin roasted with apples and winter vegetables"
Very nice, drinks somewhat like a 15 year old Beaucastel. 45% Mourvedre/30% Grenance/21% Syrah/4% Counoise. Blackberry, red cherry, and dried plum fruit. Mid-palate notes of red licorice, stewed tomatoes, dried herbs, and some spice. Nice easy finish...great drinking window right now.
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First bottle in a while, slow oxed, drank over 2 nights.
Dark red core. Nose showing dark fruits, black raspberry, dried flowers, incense. Nose built in depth over first 2 hours. Rich and viscous palate, dark cherry, spice, spice cake, cola. Sappy red fruits and lavender through the mid palate. Full body and long finish.
Last bottle 5 years ago, this has added considerable depth with time in the bottle. Last bottles (from memory) did not have as much of the CdP profile this one does. In a great spot, still has nice energy throughout, should go for a while.
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Rich, ripe cherry and spice. I would prefer a bit less alcohol but this is still very nice right now. Give it a 45 minute decant and drink it now and you can’t go wrong.
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Very nice ripe red cherries and raspberries, with notes of cola, Chinese five spice, and purple flowers. Nicely balanced, with a core of sweet fruit - making this very pleasurable to drink.
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Decanted for two hours. Inviting, lush nose, raspberry and ripe stone fruit, hint of cassis or grenadine? Something rich and sweet anyway. Tasted, Mourvedre red fruit and acid dominate, light and bright, but plenty of fruit fill in, medium tannins lingering long on the palate. Managed to save a glass to try tomorrow, looking forward to it already.
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Two hour decant before serving, noted at three hours. Deep ruby color. Savory secondary aromas of bay leaf, smoked paprika, dried thyme & hibiscus flower; dried dark fruits - plum & blackberry; with sanguine and sous bois notes. The bouquet evolves. A bit angular and austere structurally at first, the wine rounds out nicely as it goes. Shows notes of spiced blueberry & plum, with a dense yet expressive secondary core (see above). Thick and juicy on the mid-palate, with full finely-textured and supple tannins. Compelling depth on the finish. Excellent - into its secondary stage with plenty of primary fruit. Recommend a three hour decant. Drink/hold.
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Beautiful right out of the bottle without a decant, although she opened up even more over the course of dinner. The Mourvedre (45%) is front and center with a bacon fat, roasted meat quality that played well with the juicy, fruit-driven lift of the Grenache (30%). Tannins are almost fully integrated. A beautiful accompaniment to our red-sauce pasta dinner, this promises continued delight for another decade. Although I liked it now for the juicy fruit that will likely fade over time. Drink now to 2030. Outstanding.
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Have been waiting to have this wine. Nose is currant jam ... Wanted toast the smell was so amazing. Low tannin with a wonderful long finish. Very solid fruit taste but not overwhelming. Drink by 2022
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1st of 2 bottles, PnP and consumed w/friends on a road trip to Tiffin. No formal TN, but this wine has softened a bit with 9 yrs of bottle age, showing a very well-made, reined-in version of GSM fruit, clocking in at 14.5% abv. Kirsch, blackberry pie, espresso grounds, lifted by minty spiciness. Fairly long finish, with moderating acidity and overall quite delicious. Drink now through 2024+.
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Day 1: Pruney porty mess, from opening to decanting and three hours later. Probably 80 if rating. Oddly bottle has been impeccably stored since purchase from Tablas and the cork looked great with the telltale sediment/wine cake on the liquid side with no cracks/leakage. Just a very bad bottle?
Have one more 2010 left and very curious to see what that one is like! Alas, buried in the cellar so can’t compare head to head.
Vac sealed in cellar overnight. Uncorked in morning and slow oxed another 10 hours.
Night 2: finally some candied raspberry and chambord notes emerge to balance out the porty notes which have taken on a beefy quality on the palate but still distracting on the nose. Won’t rate above as I’m guessing this needs a 48 hour decant? 90 otherwise.
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I think this wine is still too young to drink. Nice wine, but not the blow-away wine I am used to and I think it needed a longer decant and more aging overall.
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After the fruit showed an initial raisined note, it seemed to brighten up and ultimately show greater freshness than I expected. Great weight and balance to this wine and quite enjoyable.
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Well reviewed by others. Very ripe raisiny fruit with some interesting secondary character - black olives, garrigue - and sustaining acid. It does seem old world, which I think was the intent. I might have guessed southern France and not Paso Robles, but it is cleaner and without the funkiness you sometimes get from Provence. It’s all working well now and better than several years ago. Dense and raisiny is not my favorite, but this is very well done.
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Upon opening, the nose had scents of sage, menthol, wood shavings, meat, and juicy blackberries. The palate had more of a dried red fruit vibe, although the flavor profile moved progressively blacker as it opened up. Even though it has a very dark red/purple appearance, it is medium in body, and has a very appealing balanced acidity. The finish lasts 30-40 seconds. At this point, a 2 hour+ decant will definitely add to its appeal.
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No formal note, PnP, which probably did not do it justice, it had a dumbed down demeanor most of the time in the glass, I am thinking more air time would allow it to express itself more fully.
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Seal and cork were in perfect condition. Bottle purchased from winery and stored at a dedicated wine storage facility, so I’m very disappointed that this had turned. It’s the first red wine from that storage that has ever turned bad for me.
Closed at first then vegetal notes, spices, shoe polish, tobacco, liquorice, bitter fruit...like some ports. Smooth, fruit forward and light weight. Somewhat uni-dimensional. Medium finish. Easy drinking, real nice on its own and ready!
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No formal note but this wine is definitely drinking in a really good place, as the winery suggests in their vintage chart. It was pretty much PnP ready and showed great funk, spice and blue & black fruits on the nose leading to a smooth nice palate.
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Looking rich and regal. An absolute olive tapenade smorgasbord in both mouth and nose. Real Provençal character, beautifully balanced between primary and tertiary fruit. Nice red berries really stand out on the nose. Full and rich in the mouth. This is really in a sweet spot and as good as any Esprit in my memory. Leave it open a day as I did and you will be richly rewarded on day two. 5-13-18-9: 95/100.
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Disjointed upon first opening, this offering settles into a beautiful place with some time in the glass. A whiff of kirsch and some horse blanket in the bouquet and we’re off to the races. Beautiful structure in spite of the cornucopia of black, red and blue fruits on the palate. It’s both food friendly and a comfortable sipper beforehand. Elegant finish. Still a young adult, this promises another decade of pleasure — at least. Drink now to 2030. Outstanding.
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On the nose is crushed berries and a hint of menthol. Bright red and black cherries on the tongue are accompanied by medium soft tannins, medium acidity and a fairly long finish. Still mainly fruit forward, there are some notes of earth and tobacco coming through. This is drinking nicely now but still has plenty to give.
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Very nicely balanced wine with well resloved tannin, ample acidity and great complexity. Nice black cherry, kirsch, mushroom, spice and peppery game notes. VinoVino's note really nails where this wine is right now.
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Tablas Creek En Primeur 2017 Wines (Tablas Creek Vineyards): 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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W cassoulet at 540 - 12 guests. 5 hour decant. This was really good. Very fresh medium red color, beautiful fruity and interesting nose and on palate very good fruit, spice, quite a bit of weight. Long finish. Very good combo with the food as you would expect. This has a long life ahead and I hope I will check this note and not drink the rest in next year. 2025 is a good target. That being said it is really good now. Had the 2009 later, which was thinner and less bold.
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Fully mature, soft tanins, hint of smokiness. Very approachable. Would never guess that this was from California but then Rhone grapes used throughout and given ownership of this estate, not a surprise. Thoroughly enjoyable.
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This was an accidental open. Thought I was grabbing an upright 2007 Tablas Syrah. I even had several sips somewhat mindlessly ahead of dinner while watching a game on TV. Then I paid attention - "This tastes like Grenache!"... "but I'm getting some minty dark chocolate-y notes and roasted meat - This tastes like Mourvedre". So out to the kitchen and indeed, the big reveal! I've found the older Tablas Syrahs remind me of Northern Rhone renditions, while the Tablas blends are much more true to the Southern Rhone / CdP intentions.
This is drinking beautifully. It really manages to have that depth and complexity carried effortlessly, never heavy, complemented with a brightness on top and spices and garrigue that most of us want in a CdP.
Oddly enough this did not stand up well against a mild (not really rich) pressure-cooker beef stew. The wine's essence got kind of neutralized. I think this would be better with a more straight-on preparation of aged beef, lamb, or even duck.
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The wine looks violet colored. The legs are medium. There is no sediment in the bottle. It smells like blackberry, blueberry, stoniness, mushroom and light toast.
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Sadly, I'm writing this note nearly two weeks after consumption and the notes I'd jotted down were lost. This is a tale of two bottles tasted double blind. One bottle was purchased from the winery in Dec. 2012 and the other as part of a library selection in Dec. 2015. The bottles showed noticeably differently with one wine showing what we thought were more signs of advanced age and thus more accelerated aging. Since possession these wines have been stored in good, but imperfect conditions (seasonal range from low-mid-50s to mid-60s) with the 2012 bottle having even been moved from "under the staircase" conditions. Well... it turned out that the much fresher one was the one taken in 2012! Some possibilities include Tablas storage being very good, but perhaps consistently above 60F or that the wine was at a distributor and taken back?
Both bottles were very nice and I went back and forth on preference. The library wine was certainly more like Southern Rhones of late while the one from 2012 was more elegant and showed more like I've seen from Tablas in the past few years.
Garnet in the glass hint of terra-cotta at the edges, palate is medium bodied and earthy, fruits trend tart, note of cranberry, wild raspberry, bit dusty and woody hint of spice, long finish. Nice perhaps a bit past peak.
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A year later than my previous review and I have to say this has either passed its best, or I have gone off its flavor profile. A light mineral nose was the best feature, but the palete was dissapoiinting this time. Too sweet and almost syrupy in flavour that I did not appreciate. Perhaps with some good blue cheese it might have been better, but overall a dissapointment. I wonder if its time to drink these up. Window suggests time to go, but I am not so sure. As before I think for 10 dollars more you get the real deal - a CNDP. And I wonder if this is why Beaucastel has now taken their name off this wine, and from 2011 onwards I think it is labeled simly Esprit de Tablas. From a marketing point of view they made the right call in my opinion, as I no longer think it worthy of the Beaucastel name.
Smoke, cherry and a hint of spice. Palate has lush cherry intensifying into pepper and a smooth integrated palate with a hint of minerality. Finishes with tannins dryness but a lingering fruit.
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Tasted alongside the 2011 Beaucastel double-blind. This offered strong yet suave Grenache character, great balance, and a Chateauneuf-du-Pape-like sense of place. Though smoother than the Beaucastel, it also seemed more rustic. Guessed this to be Old World and the Beaucastel New World. Great experience. Fine wine.
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Showing so much finesse and balance with garrigue, briary fruits, spices, olives and very much rhone. Had double blind next to the Beaucastel cdp and I had them flip flopped
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Four years in the cellar since my last bottle has treated this well. Nice bright grenache with translucent bright red fruit and nice spiciness and acidity to keep the finish fresh. A touch sweet but good structure saves it from being flabby. Fun wine
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This is a lovely wine. Relatively light in color albeit with a dark ruby center. Nose is terrific. Smoke, plum, purple flowers. Get the Grenache acidity and biting raspberry, but some meatiness as well. (I was saving this bottle as I loved it a few years ago, but I don't think age has improved it. Fine, time left, but no need to hold.)
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Soft and unmemorable GSM even after several hours of decanting. My third bottle over the last few years; minimal improvement if any at all. UPDATED: See the very first comment below regarding the shut-down phase.
Nose is a bit over-ripe. Lots of stewed fruits and some spice. The palate is very full-bodied but dense, fresh and with good structure. Bright, even. Fascinating interplay of very high ripeness and structure, freshness and ultimately balance. Loads of fruits on the palate, black and red as well as passion. Spicy, with Herbs de Provence as well as cedar and hints of Southern Rhone-like roasted meat,black cherries and herb switches. Extraordinary minerality. Great stuff. Having no experience with old bottles of this, I assume it is fully mature at this point, but should last 5-8 more years and might develop greater complexity with another 2 or 3 more years. 93
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Blind: semi-opaque brown with a medium vague narrow rim, alcohol, juniper on the palate. Soy. Medium+ rustic tannin. Hot alcohol(15+). Medium+ acidity, medium+ body, dry.
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Decanted 2 hours. Tasted along side a 2008 Terry Houge Skins. Really tough to say which was better but they were both outstanding. You could definitely see the more complexity in the TCV with a dominant Mourvedre wine vs the TH which had Grenache dominant. Both great wines.
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Color: slightly lighter than expected: medium ruby core showing some transparency -> diffuse, light/medium ruby rim. Quite the nice, reasonably complex bouquet showing off blackberries, spice, wet rock a touch of earth and a little black pepper. Pleasant, medium-bodied palate of blackberry, tobacco, minerals and a little plum splash. Good acid and light on its feet. This is really lovely -- well balanced, polished -- very much like a CDP from a light/medium weight year. Alcohol in check and a medium-long finish. I think this will develop nicely over the next few years but is drinking well enough now to pop the cork if desired.
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Liked this more than a lot of other folk. It does not have as interesting a nose as a good Chateauneuf (that it is essentially fashioned off) but the palette was very pleasant. Fresh black berries and some earth notes and forest floor. Admittedly it costs a little more than a California Syrah, but you do get some of that rich Rhone flavor in return. This hing is that the light nose - almost Pinot light - is a bit disappointing. And in the end for $10 more you can buy the real thing, a decent CNDP.
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I am a Chateau Beaucastel snob and was extremely skeptical that a domestic "look-alike" could come close to my favorite CdP. This one did. Quite an impressive effort, aided, as I understand it, by the Beaucastel winemaker himself (or members of his staff). Went out and found another three bottles on the market and snapped them up.
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An elegant GSM blend that tastes too soft and shallow even after few hours of decanting. Could improve with more cellaring; for now, a poor value relative to other regions/varietals in the same price range.
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Fairly disappointing upon opening: overly tame with simplistic Grenache notes. Took well over 2.5 hours of decanting to evolve into something much more impressive: not overly ripe, with secondary floral notes, and good depth. Moderate-to-long finish.
Drinking really well now. Incredible body and so well integrated right now. Hard to believe it will get better but my experience with these wines is that it will.
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Decanted for 2 hrs. Nose of dark fruits, plum & dark chocolate. Medium body. Smooth, well-balanced tastes of raspberry, dark fruits, plum & chocolate. My wife & I split the bottle and some of the taste intensity waned in the last couple of glasses.
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This bottle was consistent with a disturbing trend I have been experiencing in all of the TC wines I have been drinking lately. After over ten years putting these wines in my collection I have decided to stop buying TC as they just are not living up to my previous experiences with them. Overall, this bottle just lacked character. Sure it was pleasant, integrated and there were for sure the expected hints of flavor, smooth tannin and balanced acid one would expect from a bottle of this stature, but it just did not leave me wanting another sip, let alone another bottle.
We received this iconic (and always fabulous) red blend from Tablas’ wine club in September, 2012. I don’t believe any reliable wine critics/sources or myself have ever scored this wine below 90 points. Let’s see how the 2010 comes in………… The bouquet is mostly earth and spices, with hints/rumors/suggestions of oak and floral elements as well. The wine pours dark, which isn’t too surprising considering 2/3 of the blend consists of Mourvedre and Syrah (the exact varietal break-down: 45% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 21% Syrah, and 4% Counoise). As usual, this is a delicious, rich, mineral-driven, dark-fruited, savory, herbal, deeply-flavored and complex red blend. Tablas Creek is one of (if not THEE) best winery in California. We’ve been wine club members since 2008 and ALL of their wines are fantastic (I don’t believe I have ever rated/scored one of their wines below 90 points). As expected (based on how dark the wine pours), there’s an abundance of dark, delicious fruits up front, such as plums and blackberries, supported by secondary red fruits (compliments of the Grenache), such as cherries, raspberries, and currants. Next up to the plate is an abundance of dried and savory herbs, like thyme and rosemary. After the fruit and herb profile, there’s a massive representation of black pepper (which I LOVE to death (and which explains why I LOVE Petite Sirah, Syrah, and earthy/peppery/savory Pinot Noirs as well)). There’s the PERFECET amount of rich, creamy oak as well, in addition to stony/minerally elements that add depth and complexity to the flavor profile. This wine also exhibits Paso Robles’ limestone, slate, calcareous, and earthy/stony elements as well. This wine is harmoniously well-balanced, where all the elements co-mingle beautifully so that all the individual elements add-up to one fabulous wine. In addition to all of the flavor/character elements, this wine is fabulously well-structured. The tannins are crisp and zippy, and the acidity adds a very food-friendly profile as well. This wine is slightly rich and creamy, but thanks to its structure, it is also a very food-friendly red with an elegant palate-cleansing ability. This wine is drinking VERY well right now, but all of Tablas’ red and white “Esprit de Beaucastel/Tablas” red and white blends go through a “closed” phase where their flavor profile “shuts down” for 1 or 2 or 3 or more years (all wines evolve every nanosecond in the bottle; some improve and some become incredibly complex years after bottling (such as this beauty; it will probably enter it’s “closed” phase in the next year or two)). This beauty will continue to mature/evolve/gain complexity over the next five to twenty-five years. I paired this wine with lamb chops spiced with Kosher salt, black pepper, and Herbs de Provence (seared on the BBQ). This wine paired PERFECTLY with the lamb chops and would also pair well with almost any/all red meat proteins. As previously-mentioned, it’s drinking very well right now but will probably enter its “closed” phase in the next year or two. Based on its structure, this wine will probably continue to age and mature gracefully for the next 10-to-20 years. Since we’re sitting on several of Tablas’ signature red blends (Panoplie; their ultimate and “best-of-the-best” red blends that since 2006 are either in a “closed” phase or are considered too young/”hot”), I’ve decided that once their Esprite de Beaucastel/Tablas blends (red and white) are in a “Peak Maturity” phase, it’s best to drink them fairly “young” rather than having to wait years and years and years for them to exit their “closed” phase and to re-enter their “peak maturity” phases. Tablas Creek’s website has a vintage chart that tells you what “phase” their wines are in. If you have this 2010 beauty in your library/cellar, I would recommend popping those “Bad Boys” open ASAP unless you don’t mind waiting another 5+ years. This wine is drinking PERFECTLY right now and I would recommend drinking it now unless you don’t mind waiting another 5+ years for it to “exit” its “closed” phase.
At the beach Memorial Day, brought this for my European friends to bridge Calif and Rhone tastes. Decanted for about 30 minutes, could use more...
Rhone blend of 45% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 21% Syrah, 4% Counoise, the Mouvedre driven profile gives this more floral notes on the nose. also getting citrus/orange peel on the nose
Medium ruby color. Palate of black/blue fruits, baking spices, black pepper, tobacco leaf. Very CdP like - the objective, clearly. Medium finish, layered and complex. Wine is in a really good spot right now, will hold at this level for a while, IMO
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Color: slightly lighter than expected for such a youngster: medium-deep ruby core showing some transparency -> diffuse, light/medium ruby rim. Quite the nice, reasonably complex bouquet showing off blackberries, spice, wet rock and a little black pepper. Pleasant, medium-bodied palate of blackberry, tobacco, minerals and a little plum splash. Good acid and light on its feet. This is really lovely -- well balanced, polished -- very much like a CDP from a light/medium weight year. Alcohol in check and a medium-long finish. I think this will develop nicely over the next few years but is drinking well enough now to pop the cork if desired.
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Really fine, well-balanced offering. Smoke and earth and abut of blackberry on the nose. Dark cherry and a bit of pepper on the palate. Long, peppery finish. Integrated. Good with food.
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Popped and poured from split. This is a solid red wine with a nose of dust, orange peel, and rosehips. The mouth has sweet cherry flavors, with slightly grapey overtones. The finish is spicy with a nice tangy element. Overall, this was a bit muted at first but opened with air. I don't think now is the optimal drinking time. 90 points.
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Opened this 2010 bottle last night based upon suggestion from Tablas Creek blog vertical tasting of the Esprit de Beaucastel of vintages from 2000 - 2013. This Rhone blend was absolutely perfect possibly at its peak and went great with rich Italian pasta and risotto dishes. Well worth paying a corkage fee at an upscale Italian restaurant.
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(Tasting at the winery) Open for business right now, as opposed to the 2012, which was tight. Dark ruby with kirchenfenster legs and enchanting dusty fruit-driven notes. A finish that seems to go on for hours. Still tannic, but slowly shedding some of its baby fat.
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Contender for WOTN at the auction mtg. Great minerality to balance red and black fruit along with herb and smoke...the floral nose is impressive for intensity.
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Sweet, smooth texture, violets, leather, red and blue fruit, licorice, fresh enough and very ready to drink. Modern expression.compared to the 2007 Mastroberardino Radici 07 and the Yann Chave crozes hermitage 12 le rouvre this came up short, but still very nice wine and easy to enjoy.
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CdP from the Central Coast. Complex, round and fresh. The wine is a seductive blend of Mourvedre, Syrah and Grenache that has muscle yet delicate notes of orange peel and smokey red fruits. Best wine of a great tasting.
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Klassischer Rhone Wein - sehr gut (dunkle Beeren, nicht viel Gewürze). Noch recht jung aber dafür schon sehr rund und harmonisch. Schöner, runder Rhone Wein, der aber nicht an einen CdP rankommt.
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I opened this at our 7/12/14 brisket dinner / Mourvedre tasting. Because of its youth, I poured it through a vinturi into a decanter and let it sit for 3 hours prior to tasting. It had rich, ripe, bright bouquet of cherry, raspberry, cola and spice aromas. The palate was rich, ripe and fresh with good lift and flavors that followed the nose. 92+
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Old school Rhone! Restrained nose with red cherry notes. Medium ruby color. Much more restrained than typical central coast blends. Palate of darker fruit with some bite. I get a lot of Grenache despite "only" 30% in the blend. Needs to sit a little -- I can't wait to try it in 5 years.
Dark purple, full bodied, high alcohol Dark fruits, some spice (nutmeg, coriander seeds) Tastes much like the nose, stewed prunes, silky texture, red licorice, tannins are present, hints of cocoa, with a longish finish
I enjoyed this wine more as time passed. I think it will get a little better with time, but drinking nicely now.
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Black fruit, minerals, spice cedar and smokey oak. The wine is well integrated, tannins still showing thru, but there is nice balance. Wine seems to have a good backbone and seemed youthful, but drinkable.
A.
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A very good but not sexy wine. Possessing neither the funkiness of a French Rhone not the brute fruit of a CA Rhone ranger, it may require patience to reveal any latent glory. Bright blue and red fruits of moderate intensity with little of the garrigue and gaminess I associate with a good Rhone. No oak spice, jam, or baked pie fruit I associate with CA fruit bombs. Flavorwise, it is balanced and complete with an expansive and lifted middle palate and a finish of medium length. The wine is beautifully crafted but seems closed, and lacks spice and excitement -- at least at this stage. Wait until 2017.
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A terrific and tasty Rhone-style blend by Tablas Creek. Made up of 45% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 21% Syrah, 4% Counoise, this baby oozes big fruit flavors of strawberry and sour cherry, coated in anise and pepper and garnished with hints of wood, fig and earth. Light weight but with a big mouthfeel and nicely balanced acidity leading into a long finish. 91 is probably a bit conservative and I may have to revise my rating upward in the future. This should continue to improve for years to come.
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This is more of a group review than a personal review. We had this bottle with some aged cheddar cheese. The consensus was that this was a good wine with subdued flavors - nothing overpowering. One of the members of our group commented that he found that the wine had some saltiness - afterwards I found myself agreeing with his assessment. Overall, I thought this was more muted than I had expected; I preferred the 2011 Esprit. I have a few more of these bottles, so I will be looking forward to seeing how my assessment changes over time (if at all).
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Pretty reserved. Good wine, but not a ton of character and pretty muted. Bright acidity, but no frame or weight to balance it. Good experience overall, just expected a little more.
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Ordered a half bottle off the wine list at Absinthe Brasserie and Bar in San Francisco. Clear dark ruby. Expressive nose of cherry and earthy leather. Medium palate of black cherry, hoisin, plum, leather, and vanilla. Very good length. Pleasant acidity. Young tannins.
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Aromas of brambly earth, anise, black cherry, and mineral. Descriptors that come to mind on the palate- rich, elegant, balanced, fleshy. Flavors of cherry, mineral, mossy earth, and dark spice. Bright acid and fine tannin, with a big juicy finish. Great stuff- should evolve nicely.
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PnP. Not as much going on with this wine as I hoped to see. Perhaps it needs a lengthy decant. Kind of light and disjointed on this tasting. Typical GSM type flavors.
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This wine has so much finesse. Had a taste at the tasting room today. Bought another bottle to add to the other two I have sitting at home. Approachable now, but this has a long life ahead of it.
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So well balanced yet complex that it passes over the palate with such an easy going nature that defines a great wine. Layers of blue fruit with earth, cassis and a bit of spiciness. Long finish. Can definitely enjoy now through the next couple of years.
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Wonderful rich full body wine now that will be measurably better in 3 or 4 years. Still the depth of this wine shines through with rich aromas of plums and dark berries on the nose and layers of flavors on the palate from cherries, tar, licorice and a dusty hint of fruit on the finish. I have had 5 or 6 years of this wine and this is the best.
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Tablas Creek: red, red, red aromas. on the palate more herb and less fruit than the '10Mourvedre. Hints at spice, but not overdone. very nice. '10 was a long and cool vintage with no frost. '09 was hot.
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Now we're talking. Closed but showing incredible potential; this will scream in 10+ years. Ruby hued with generous legs. Resting in the glass, some elements start peeking out -- cherry, black raspberry, tobacco. Tannins are fine but upfront right now. This will be a beautiful wine. "97" rating based on potential; right now I'd rate it a 91.
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2013 Rhone Rangers - The Best of The Rhone Rosés: Carmine color with black raspberry, plum, smoked meat, and pepper aromas. On the palate, it's ample with an intense supple mouthfeel. It shows black raspberry, plum, and a kiss of bittersweet chocolate flavors. Long finish. Blend of 45% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 21% Syrah, 4% Counoise
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Dark crimson, raspberry, toffee, garrigue and hints of dried herbs on the nose, lush red and black fruit on the palate with plenty of tangy acidity to balance all that primary fruit, finish is also dominated by berry fruit with undertones of sage, baking soda and cinnamon
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Following Brig's advice, I pulled the cork on Sat night, knowing we'd drink it on Sun night. Spot on! This was singing at the 24 hour mark, with all the nuances and character on display front and center. Very complex for just $45, and very tasty, also. I like this blend of 45% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 21% Syrah and 4% Counoise. The 14,5% abv was fully integrated at the 24 hr mark. I'd welcome a chance to drink this again; highly recommended, drink thru 2019
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I sure hope brigcampbell is right about this wine. I opened this after a 2007 CdP and it was step down in flavor. Yes it was tight but I was a bit let down. Will try another in a year .
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Paso Robles Rhone Rangers (Broken Earth Winery): brilliant red in color. tart dark berry, forest floor, smoke, on the nose. cherry, wood shavings, spice, on the palate. good balance of acid and tannins on the finish.
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Falltacular 2013 (FMIII in the OC): I struggled with this wine after tasting so many that were drinking right from the open. This wine is composed of big parts and needs age to show its beauty, right now it's tight and resting. Do yourself a favor and wait before pulling the cork on this one, you'll be rewarded.
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Nice spicy character earthy barnyard aromas, leathery with ripe plum, and cherries.. Very pleasant wine .. This wine has great potential. Damn I should have waited on this one. It could cellar for another 3-5 years and could go a distance
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Beaucastel family went to Paso Robles, brought their cuttings to a similar site in the late 90s. 45% Mouverdre, 30% Grenache, 21% Syrah. Fruit forward and light, but with balance behind it. Well made, easy to drink but complex.
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Tablas Creek Winery (Paso Robles, CA): Gorgeous nose with currants, plums. The palate is surprisingly soft at this stage compared to other Esprit I've had. Meaty. Very nice. Drinking well now, but definitely a good cellar option.
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Garnet color, thick body, floral aromas and a very nice, long finish with a bit of chocolate. Had to try now, ordering more and expecting more impressive qualities after time in the cellar.
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Really nice young Esprit. Quite tight and tannic as one might expect, but more approachable than you'd think at this stage. The Grenache is most prominent at this stage, but the earthy Mourvedre also makes its presence known. Great structure apparent. This should be a real exciting wine in a few years.
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Tasted with Lyn at the winery on a beautiful Paso Robles autumn day. I'll try to mute my enthusiasm for this wine, which might be the best Esprit we've tasted. Still coming together in the bottle and probably not ready for prime time for at least 7-8 years, this splendid bottling has not yet developed a nose that excites like the palate does. Almost half Mourvedre with a healthy (30%) dose of Grenache, it provides a mouthful of blueberry, currant, plum and raspberries with some balsamic chocolate notes. Earthy and medium/full bodied, but surprisingly light on its feet as it sits on the palate. The winery claims this vintage featured the coolest year in its history, which resulted in exceptionally long hang times. A tour de force in California winemaking in the Paso Robles region.
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Floral nose, tasted hints of black pepper, plum, cherry, and rose. A bit tight at this point right after release and still a bit tannic (the syrah?), but I'm impressed at the stage it's at now. Will wait a bit before popping the cork on this wine again.
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Lovely bottle, with extreme concentration and bursting with fruit. The best way to describe it is purple fruit explosion. Had next to 05 esprit which gets me excited for the future of this wine. Needs at least five years to show its depth and allow the upfront fruit to balance out.
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Highly concentrated with old world type construction... ringer for a CdP. Tannic and quite structured this is one for the cellar. Big wine that doesn't lead with the ripe plush "approachable" fruit like so many Paso cuvees. This is more about structure, balance, and detail. Good concentration with good heft and depth. Tight as a drum presently. Black licorice, dark berry, old wood, and earthy loamy soil. Great overlay of minerals too. Dark, almost sinnister in nature. These Esprits seem to get more muscular with each vintage. Reminiscent of the '09. Dark, meaty, earthy... great and powerful things lurking in the depths. Probably won't be very generous over the short term but excellent long term prospects. 92-94
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No detailed notes, as the bottle went quickly tonight. Approachable now, but young for sure. This hints at grandeur several years down the road. Big on initial impact, but not like the '03 or '05 CdPs. More balanced than that, and suggests that with some time in the bottle, and some shedding of baby fat, this could become a very alluring wine. Much more "Euro" in styling than the '07, at least from memory.
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1/21/2024 - SKite wrote: flawed
Turned
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12/2/2023 - casjf Likes this wine: 93 Points
Lovely wine that paired well with elk meatballs with homemade tomato sauce.
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11/24/2023 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking perfectly now! So interesting at this phase that Mourvedre is the main wine, but flavor-wise, it is grenache that is dominating on the palate.
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5/3/2023 - Hamersly wrote: 93 Points
Wife really enjoyed solo, no notes.
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12/26/2022 - SLOFred wrote: 91 Points
The cork was completely crumbled on this bottle. But still sealed with no leakage along the side of the cork. A bit brickish on the color. Not as crisp and fresh as I would have liked for a 2010 TCV out of a 1.5L. Clearly Mourvedre based. Good but not fabulous GSM. I have one more bottle to sample. Stay tuned.
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7/31/2022 - aif wrote:
Maybe I had a bad bottle but it had none of the notes described here. Fell flat across the board with a kind of acrid taste. A small hint of black berries trying to get through but generally disappointing.
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6/23/2022 - brianofthevine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Beautiful wine right now, drinking like an old Beaucastel. 45% Mourvedre/30% Grenache/21% Syrah/4% Counoise. Red/black cherry and dried plum fruit. Notes of stewed tomatoes, red licorice, savory herbs, olive tapenade, and spice. Nice acidity and finish. Great right now and over the next year or two.
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1/14/2022 - yatchisin Likes this wine: 94 Points
As good as the first bottle: Gorgeous, giving wine. Plush mouthfeel, deep dark berry/plum fruit that keeps going. A delight. (Cork did break, but after a decant it was fine.)
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12/5/2021 - 1kuhlman Likes this wine: 89 Points
The smooth texture of this wine was excellent. However, I wish we would have drunk it a year or so earlier as it is starting to get that raisin-y, stewed fruit taste which is not my favorite flavor for wine.
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10/30/2021 - tb_baltimore Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is a good time for drinking this vintage -- right now it is within a very nice space -- it has matured and has the signature blend of tastes and smells.
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10/6/2021 - DoctoraK Likes this wine: 89 Points
I expected this 2010 to hold up better. With 43% Mourvèdre I expected more rusticity and earthiness. IMO drink now, no hold. My preference is a good Bandol.
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8/6/2021 - DesMarteau wrote: 90 Points
So something is happening to my bottles that I’ve had happen before….Grenache seems to oxidize easily ….so a bit of oxidation funk going on ….
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5/14/2021 - Maphill01 wrote:
PNP. Soft red fruit. Earthy notes, a little savory, fleshy texture. Needed a couple hours to open up. Full bodied, flavorful CA GSM but still fresh, not jammy. Ready to go, but no rush.
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4/30/2021 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking beautifully right now. Had with roasted duck. Great paring. But drink up. This wine is unlikely to get better.
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4/22/2021 - tb_baltimore Likes this wine: 91 Points
Still excellent -- but agree with other recent reviews that this was the time to open and enjoy it -- the flavors are all there, but its not quite the 'out of the ballpark' hit that we'd been expecting. This was opened for a birthday celebration, and perhaps we'd anticipated it too strongly from the other bottles. Really one to be savored and enjoyed.
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4/14/2021 - Gas Station Wine Guy Likes this wine: 93 Points
Slight dark jammy note with some funk, bacon, spot on acidity & balance.
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4/6/2021 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 92 Points
Definitely hitting stride with this wine. I would not age much more. I have one more 750, and two 1.5's. I will definitely have the 1.5 at the next large gathering.
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3/27/2021 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drink up now. Not aging like most Esprits. Still excellent.
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3/16/2021 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 92 Points
Fabulous GSM, but drink up. Drinking well now. But likely not to get much better.
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3/10/2021 - walkerjfw wrote:
With Isobel and Jeroen at Blue point...last wine of the evening.
From prior notes:"Dark red core. Nose showing dark fruits, black raspberry, dried flowers, incense. Nose built in depth over first 2 hours. Rich and viscous palate, dark cherry, spice, spice cake, cola. Sappy red fruits and lavender through the mid palate. Full body and long finish...."
Spice is notable on this wine, shows better about 30 minutes in. Calif meets CdP...in a great spot
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2/2/2021 - PrinceKyrris Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very nice bottle. Lots of dark fruit flavors and aromas. I got a bit of clove and cinnamon on the finish. Everything very well-integrated and it was delicious with stir-fry noodles and char siu marinated ribeye steak.
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2/1/2021 - MLipton wrote:
Opened tonight with venison-black bean chili. Wonderfully fruity, thick with enough acid to keep it from veering into jammy. Clearly Californian, yet with a passing nod to the S Rhone in its flavor profile. Still with plenty of life left in it.
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12/20/2020 - Stufts Likes this wine: 92 Points
Typical TC CdP style - beautifully balanced, lots of red and blue fruits, some earth, spices and minerality to round out out. Drank over two nights, and it was definitely at its peak in the first, after an hour or so decant in the glass. But night two, some of the brightness had begun to fade. But this is a winner, as are so many from TC.
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12/18/2020 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 93 Points
A totally integrated GSM. One flavor begins, the next starts, and on and on. Lovely wine.
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12/17/2020 - ronenv wrote: 93 Points
Very nice fruit. Nice finish. I little bit of smoky flavor that faded as the wine opened up
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12/12/2020 - dglabman@gmail.com Likes this wine: 90 Points
Rhone blend favoring mourvedre NOT syrah. Mellow moderate finish, stone fruits
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12/5/2020 - Ecoenophile wrote: flawed
Nose had a slight corked funk to it... although the palate was good, it was nothing standout... prepared to accept this as a flawed bottle.
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11/20/2020 - BHull Likes this wine:
Very good!
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10/17/2020 - Bob in NC Likes this wine: 92 Points
TCV vintage chart says this 2010 is in the good place right now, and we agree, though still has many more great years ahead of it. This wine needs a 2+ hour decant time to really show itself. Has wonderful layers of typical southern Rhone flavors that are well integrated and balanced. This acidity is lively on the finish, which is smooth and lengthy showing the wonderful fruit and garrigue flavors. Went fantastic with our grain bowls top with roasted root vegetables and other delectables.
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10/11/2020 - mattboney wrote: 92 Points
The wine has moved to a lighter refined area compared to the last time I had it a couple of years ago, which was quite muscular and very herbal. Everything seems to have integrated together and is drinking nicely.
Strawberry, iron, flinty, stony, misc minerality, garrique and other herbs. Dusty mid palate tannins, cherry cordial, minerals, acid, lingering spicy finish.
Paired well with a Tablas recommended recipe: "Pork loin roasted with apples and winter vegetables"
https://tablascreek.com/recipes/pork_loin_roasted_with_apples_and_winter_vegetables
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10/8/2020 - dlduchon wrote: flawed
Corked. boo hoo. From the reviews seems rare.
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10/2/2020 - brianofthevine Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very nice, drinks somewhat like a 15 year old Beaucastel. 45% Mourvedre/30% Grenance/21% Syrah/4% Counoise. Blackberry, red cherry, and dried plum fruit. Mid-palate notes of red licorice, stewed tomatoes, dried herbs, and some spice. Nice easy finish...great drinking window right now.
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8/24/2020 - walkerjfw wrote: 93 Points
First bottle in a while, slow oxed, drank over 2 nights.
Dark red core. Nose showing dark fruits, black raspberry, dried flowers, incense. Nose built in depth over first 2 hours. Rich and viscous palate, dark cherry, spice, spice cake, cola. Sappy red fruits and lavender through the mid palate. Full body and long finish.
Last bottle 5 years ago, this has added considerable depth with time in the bottle. Last bottles (from memory) did not have as much of the CdP profile this one does. In a great spot, still has nice energy throughout, should go for a while.
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8/14/2020 - SLOFred wrote: 93 Points
Great wine. Compared to the 2010 French Beaucastel and it held its own. Very well balanced. 2 hour decant. Still with plenty of life left in it.
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8/6/2020 - mtaczak Likes this wine: 93 Points
drinking beautifully, especially with cumin lamb and yogurt sauce. another few years of peak drinking left
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7/21/2020 - acidqueen wrote: 91 Points
Rich, ripe cherry and spice. I would prefer a bit less alcohol but this is still very nice right now. Give it a 45 minute decant and drink it now and you can’t go wrong.
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5/14/2020 - CADomer Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very nice ripe red cherries and raspberries, with notes of cola, Chinese five spice, and purple flowers. Nicely balanced, with a core of sweet fruit - making this very pleasurable to drink.
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5/8/2020 - tautlinehitch Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted for two hours. Inviting, lush nose, raspberry and ripe stone fruit, hint of cassis or grenadine? Something rich and sweet anyway. Tasted, Mourvedre red fruit and acid dominate, light and bright, but plenty of fruit fill in, medium tannins lingering long on the palate. Managed to save a glass to try tomorrow, looking forward to it already.
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4/18/2020 - MattMauldin Likes this wine: 94 Points
Two hour decant before serving, noted at three hours. Deep ruby color. Savory secondary aromas of bay leaf, smoked paprika, dried thyme & hibiscus flower; dried dark fruits - plum & blackberry; with sanguine and sous bois notes. The bouquet evolves. A bit angular and austere structurally at first, the wine rounds out nicely as it goes. Shows notes of spiced blueberry & plum, with a dense yet expressive secondary core (see above). Thick and juicy on the mid-palate, with full finely-textured and supple tannins. Compelling depth on the finish. Excellent - into its secondary stage with plenty of primary fruit. Recommend a three hour decant. Drink/hold.
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3/21/2020 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:
Beautiful right out of the bottle without a decant, although she opened up even more over the course of dinner. The Mourvedre (45%) is front and center with a bacon fat, roasted meat quality that played well with the juicy, fruit-driven lift of the Grenache (30%). Tannins are almost fully integrated. A beautiful accompaniment to our red-sauce pasta dinner, this promises continued delight for another decade. Although I liked it now for the juicy fruit that will likely fade over time. Drink now to 2030. Outstanding.
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1/15/2020 - AAW_RightWine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Have been waiting to have this wine. Nose is currant jam ... Wanted toast the smell was so amazing. Low tannin with a wonderful long finish. Very solid fruit taste but not overwhelming.
Drink by 2022
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12/27/2019 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 93 Points
This wine hits you in the front palate and just continues and continues! Classic Rhone blend. All main grapes are well represented in this wine.
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10/19/2019 - drrobvino wrote: 90 Points
1st of 2 bottles, PnP and consumed w/friends on a road trip to Tiffin.
No formal TN, but this wine has softened a bit with 9 yrs of bottle age, showing a very well-made, reined-in version of GSM fruit, clocking in at 14.5% abv. Kirsch, blackberry pie, espresso grounds, lifted by minty spiciness.
Fairly long finish, with moderating acidity and overall quite delicious. Drink now through 2024+.
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9/29/2019 - jaumealaska Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drank this besides a 2010 Beaucastel . It’s a lighter version . But the same dark fruit and grilled meats Great acid balance good finish
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9/13/2019 - Babik wrote:
Day 1: Pruney porty mess, from opening to decanting and three hours later. Probably 80 if rating. Oddly bottle has been impeccably stored since purchase from Tablas and the cork looked great with the telltale sediment/wine cake on the liquid side with no cracks/leakage. Just a very bad bottle?
Have one more 2010 left and very curious to see what that one is like! Alas, buried in the cellar so can’t compare head to head.
Vac sealed in cellar overnight. Uncorked in morning and slow oxed another 10 hours.
Night 2: finally some candied raspberry and chambord notes emerge to balance out the porty notes which have taken on a beefy quality on the palate but still distracting on the nose. Won’t rate above as I’m guessing this needs a 48 hour decant? 90 otherwise.
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7/28/2019 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 91 Points
I think this wine is still too young to drink. Nice wine, but not the blow-away wine I am used to and I think it needed a longer decant and more aging overall.
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7/20/2019 - CADomer Likes this wine: 91 Points
After the fruit showed an initial raisined note, it seemed to brighten up and ultimately show greater freshness than I expected. Great weight and balance to this wine and quite enjoyable.
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6/21/2019 - Doblk wrote: 91 Points
Well reviewed by others. Very ripe raisiny fruit with some interesting secondary character - black olives, garrigue - and sustaining acid. It does seem old world, which I think was the intent. I might have guessed southern France and not Paso Robles, but it is cleaner and without the funkiness you sometimes get from Provence. It’s all working well now and better than several years ago. Dense and raisiny is not my favorite, but this is very well done.
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5/27/2019 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking nicely now, but I would give it a few more years to round out. I feel the various components have not completely integrated yet.
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5/18/2019 - HEBRO 10 Likes this wine: 90 Points
As good as it gets
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5/13/2019 - jckingery@gmail.com Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very nice nose, soft mouthfeel, some fruit
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5/12/2019 - MichielV wrote: 89 Points
W roast chicken. This was interesting but not super. Lots of sediment in this bottle. Still just very interesting to taste.
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3/21/2019 - DickMull Likes this wine: 93 Points
Upon opening, the nose had scents of sage, menthol, wood shavings, meat, and juicy blackberries. The palate had more of a dried red fruit vibe, although the flavor profile moved progressively blacker as it opened up. Even though it has a very dark red/purple appearance, it is medium in body, and has a very appealing balanced acidity. The finish lasts 30-40 seconds. At this point, a 2 hour+ decant will definitely add to its appeal.
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3/16/2019 - quaffnov Likes this wine: 89 Points
No formal note, PnP, which probably did not do it justice, it had a dumbed down demeanor most of the time in the glass, I am thinking more air time would allow it to express itself more fully.
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3/15/2019 - bbcc66 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Decanted 1/2 hr. Medium body. Smooth on the palate with well-balanced tastes of darker fruits & minerals.
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2/23/2019 - ttjensen wrote: flawed
Seal and cork were in perfect condition. Bottle purchased from winery and stored at a dedicated wine storage facility, so I’m very disappointed that this had turned. It’s the first red wine from that storage that has ever turned bad for me.
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2/18/2019 - ChateauDutremble Likes this wine: 90 Points
Closed at first then vegetal notes, spices, shoe polish, tobacco, liquorice, bitter fruit...like some ports. Smooth, fruit forward and light weight. Somewhat uni-dimensional. Medium finish. Easy drinking, real nice on its own and ready!
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1/24/2019 - CRAUBER4242 Likes this wine: 94 Points
No formal note but this wine is definitely drinking in a really good place, as the winery suggests in their vintage chart. It was pretty much PnP ready and showed great funk, spice and blue & black fruits on the nose leading to a smooth nice palate.
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1/20/2019 - MicklethePickle Likes this wine: 95 Points
Looking rich and regal. An absolute olive tapenade smorgasbord in both mouth and nose. Real Provençal character, beautifully balanced between primary and tertiary fruit. Nice red berries really stand out on the nose. Full and rich in the mouth. This is really in a sweet spot and as good as any Esprit in my memory. Leave it open a day as I did and you will be richly rewarded on day two. 5-13-18-9: 95/100.
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1/17/2019 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:
Disjointed upon first opening, this offering settles into a beautiful place with some time in the glass. A whiff of kirsch and some horse blanket in the bouquet and we’re off to the races. Beautiful structure in spite of the cornucopia of black, red and blue fruits on the palate. It’s both food friendly and a comfortable sipper beforehand. Elegant finish. Still a young adult, this promises another decade of pleasure — at least. Drink now to 2030. Outstanding.
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12/31/2018 - tb_baltimore Likes this wine: 92 Points
This was our wine to celebrate the New Year -- continues to be a favorite --
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12/21/2018 - Neras Likes this wine: 92 Points
Quite light on its feet - a Rhone wine from Bourgundy. Still plenty of fruit. Tannins restrained. Very balanced.
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12/21/2018 - vin0vin0 Likes this wine: 90 Points
On the nose is crushed berries and a hint of menthol. Bright red and black cherries on the tongue are accompanied by medium soft tannins, medium acidity and a fairly long finish. Still mainly fruit forward, there are some notes of earth and tobacco coming through. This is drinking nicely now but still has plenty to give.
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12/17/2018 - as4beatles Likes this wine: 94 Points
A delicious, fruity, sweet, long finish. It felt like you could chew this wine. It was outstanding.
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12/12/2018 - RockinCabs wrote: 91 Points
Very nicely balanced wine with well resloved tannin, ample acidity and great complexity. Nice black cherry, kirsch, mushroom, spice and peppery game notes. VinoVino's note really nails where this wine is right now.
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12/1/2018 - wilypod Likes this wine: 93 Points
Tablas Creek En Primeur 2017 Wines (Tablas Creek Vineyards): 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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11/22/2018 - yatchisin Likes this wine: 94 Points
Gorgeous, giving wine. Plush mouthfeel, deep dark berry/plum fruit that keeps going. A delight.
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11/11/2018 - MichielV wrote: 92 Points
W cassoulet at 540 - 12 guests. 5 hour decant. This was really good. Very fresh medium red color, beautiful fruity and interesting nose and on palate very good fruit, spice, quite a bit of weight. Long finish. Very good combo with the food as you would expect. This has a long life ahead and I hope I will check this note and not drink the rest in next year. 2025 is a good target. That being said it is really good now. Had the 2009 later, which was thinner and less bold.
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10/30/2018 - gwilliams68 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Fully mature, soft tanins, hint of smokiness. Very approachable. Would never guess that this was from California but then Rhone grapes used throughout and given ownership of this estate, not a surprise.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
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10/27/2018 - tward Likes this wine: 94 Points
This was an accidental open. Thought I was grabbing an upright 2007 Tablas Syrah. I even had several sips somewhat mindlessly ahead of dinner while watching a game on TV. Then I paid attention - "This tastes like Grenache!"... "but I'm getting some minty dark chocolate-y notes and roasted meat - This tastes like Mourvedre". So out to the kitchen and indeed, the big reveal! I've found the older Tablas Syrahs remind me of Northern Rhone renditions, while the Tablas blends are much more true to the Southern Rhone / CdP intentions.
This is drinking beautifully. It really manages to have that depth and complexity carried effortlessly, never heavy, complemented with a brightness on top and spices and garrigue that most of us want in a CdP.
Oddly enough this did not stand up well against a mild (not really rich) pressure-cooker beef stew. The wine's essence got kind of neutralized. I think this would be better with a more straight-on preparation of aged beef, lamb, or even duck.
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8/13/2018 - rickfell-new Likes this wine: 93 Points
The wine looks violet colored. The legs are medium. There is no sediment in the bottle. It smells like blackberry, blueberry, stoniness, mushroom and light toast.
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5/12/2018 - Wineson Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really good.
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4/7/2018 - tward Likes this wine: 90 Points
Sadly, I'm writing this note nearly two weeks after consumption and the notes I'd jotted down were lost. This is a tale of two bottles tasted double blind. One bottle was purchased from the winery in Dec. 2012 and the other as part of a library selection in Dec. 2015. The bottles showed noticeably differently with one wine showing what we thought were more signs of advanced age and thus more accelerated aging. Since possession these wines have been stored in good, but imperfect conditions (seasonal range from low-mid-50s to mid-60s) with the 2012 bottle having even been moved from "under the staircase" conditions. Well... it turned out that the much fresher one was the one taken in 2012! Some possibilities include Tablas storage being very good, but perhaps consistently above 60F or that the wine was at a distributor and taken back?
Both bottles were very nice and I went back and forth on preference. The library wine was certainly more like Southern Rhones of late while the one from 2012 was more elegant and showed more like I've seen from Tablas in the past few years.
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3/19/2018 - WineCenturyAZ Likes this wine: 88 Points
Garnet in the glass hint of terra-cotta at the edges, palate is medium bodied and earthy, fruits trend tart, note of cranberry, wild raspberry, bit dusty and woody hint of spice, long finish. Nice perhaps a bit past peak.
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11/27/2017 - Hermosabritdad wrote: 87 Points
A year later than my previous review and I have to say this has either passed its best, or I have gone off its flavor profile. A light mineral nose was the best feature, but the palete was dissapoiinting this time. Too sweet and almost syrupy in flavour that I did not appreciate. Perhaps with some good blue cheese it might have been better, but overall a dissapointment. I wonder if its time to drink these up. Window suggests time to go, but I am not so sure. As before I think for 10 dollars more you get the real deal - a CNDP. And I wonder if this is why Beaucastel has now taken their name off this wine, and from 2011 onwards I think it is labeled simly Esprit de Tablas. From a marketing point of view they made the right call in my opinion, as I no longer think it worthy of the Beaucastel name.
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10/27/2017 - JMFWC Likes this wine: 92 Points
Smoke, cherry and a hint of spice. Palate has lush cherry intensifying into pepper and a smooth integrated palate with a hint of minerality. Finishes with tannins dryness but a lingering fruit.
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9/28/2017 - iamandyc Likes this wine:
Same as last bottle -- lively, spicy and enjoyable mid-week wine
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9/24/2017 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 92 Points
Lovely wine. May be going through an awkward stage now. Not as good at the prior bottle I had.
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8/13/2017 - Motz wrote: 93 Points
Tasted alongside the 2011 Beaucastel double-blind. This offered strong yet suave Grenache character, great balance, and a Chateauneuf-du-Pape-like sense of place. Though smoother than the Beaucastel, it also seemed more rustic. Guessed this to be Old World and the Beaucastel New World. Great experience. Fine wine.
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8/7/2017 - bajayngo wrote:
Showing so much finesse and balance with garrigue, briary fruits, spices, olives and very much rhone. Had double blind next to the Beaucastel cdp and I had them flip flopped
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7/21/2017 - iamandyc Likes this wine: 90 Points
Four years in the cellar since my last bottle has treated this well. Nice bright grenache with translucent bright red fruit and nice spiciness and acidity to keep the finish fresh. A touch sweet but good structure saves it from being flabby. Fun wine
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7/15/2017 - rcg62 Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is a lovely wine. Relatively light in color albeit with a dark ruby center. Nose is terrific. Smoke, plum, purple flowers. Get the Grenache acidity and biting raspberry, but some meatiness as well. (I was saving this bottle as I loved it a few years ago, but I don't think age has improved it. Fine, time left, but no need to hold.)
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7/2/2017 - DesMarteau wrote:
Feels shut down....improves with air but never hits a full flavor profile. Will let the others sit a few years as I know what this wine is capable of
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6/2/2017 - Slaz wrote:
Soft and unmemorable GSM even after several hours of decanting. My third bottle over the last few years; minimal improvement if any at all.
UPDATED: See the very first comment below regarding the shut-down phase.
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5/4/2017 - WineGuyX Likes this wine: 93 Points
Nose is a bit over-ripe. Lots of stewed fruits and some spice. The palate is very full-bodied but dense, fresh and with good structure. Bright, even. Fascinating interplay of very high ripeness and structure, freshness and ultimately balance. Loads of fruits on the palate, black and red as well as passion. Spicy, with Herbs de Provence as well as cedar and hints of Southern Rhone-like roasted meat,black cherries and herb switches. Extraordinary minerality. Great stuff. Having no experience with old bottles of this, I assume it is fully mature at this point, but should last 5-8 more years and might develop greater complexity with another 2 or 3 more years. 93
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4/18/2017 - Deux Chevaux wrote:
Bright, savory, vibrant, and interesting on day one. Turning and becoming muddy on day two -- and by day three, raisins took over.
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3/23/2017 - pipetree wrote:
Blind: semi-opaque brown with a medium vague narrow rim, alcohol, juniper on the palate. Soy. Medium+ rustic tannin. Hot alcohol(15+). Medium+ acidity, medium+ body, dry.
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2/27/2017 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 92 Points
Had this the night after a 2008. Hard to compare them. Both good but the 2008 was better.
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12/28/2016 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted 2 hours. Tasted along side a 2008 Terry Houge Skins. Really tough to say which was better but they were both outstanding. You could definitely see the more complexity in the TCV with a dominant Mourvedre wine vs the TH which had Grenache dominant. Both great wines.
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12/21/2016 - BVal wrote: 91 Points
Color: slightly lighter than expected: medium ruby core showing some transparency -> diffuse, light/medium ruby rim. Quite the nice, reasonably complex bouquet showing off blackberries, spice, wet rock a touch of earth and a little black pepper. Pleasant, medium-bodied palate of blackberry, tobacco, minerals and a little plum splash. Good acid and light on its feet. This is really lovely -- well balanced, polished -- very much like a CDP from a light/medium weight year. Alcohol in check and a medium-long finish. I think this will develop nicely over the next few years but is drinking well enough now to pop the cork if desired.
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12/17/2016 - cpsmith33 wrote: flawed
Corked meh
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11/25/2016 - cubswinws wrote: 88 Points
Seems a bit faded. Drank next to a 1999 Beaucastel. I get a mild resemblance but big brother is still big brother.
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9/16/2016 - Hermosabritdad wrote: 88 Points
Liked this more than a lot of other folk. It does not have as interesting a nose as a good Chateauneuf (that it is essentially fashioned off) but the palette was very pleasant. Fresh black berries and some earth notes and forest floor. Admittedly it costs a little more than a California Syrah, but you do get some of that rich Rhone flavor in return. This hing is that the light nose - almost Pinot light - is a bit disappointing. And in the end for $10 more you can buy the real thing, a decent CNDP.
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9/10/2016 - le fouloir wrote: 92 Points
I am a Chateau Beaucastel snob and was extremely skeptical that a domestic "look-alike" could come close to my favorite CdP. This one did. Quite an impressive effort, aided, as I understand it, by the Beaucastel winemaker himself (or members of his staff). Went out and found another three bottles on the market and snapped them up.
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8/26/2016 - Slaz wrote: 90 Points
An elegant GSM blend that tastes too soft and shallow even after few hours of decanting. Could improve with more cellaring; for now, a poor value relative to other regions/varietals in the same price range.
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8/18/2016 - ettalovesgoodwine wrote: 91 Points
I liked the last bottle better. Yesterday I had a 2010 Kistler Pinot Noir. Everything else will pale in comparison.
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8/1/2016 - tb_baltimore Likes this wine: 92 Points
Continuing to really enjoy the Tablas Creek line. This remains a special event wine for us and once again it didn't disappoint.
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6/11/2016 - rougeamore wrote: 88 Points
Nice wine but a little disappointed versus my expectations from our previous bottle. Bright on the palate with some pleasant floral notes on the nose.
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4/30/2016 - Slaz Likes this wine: 92 Points
Fairly disappointing upon opening: overly tame with simplistic Grenache notes. Took well over 2.5 hours of decanting to evolve into something much more impressive: not overly ripe, with secondary floral notes, and good depth. Moderate-to-long finish.
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4/22/2016 - BigBoy_Sonoma Likes this wine: 94 Points
Dark cherries, plums, black fruit, cedar, pepper, tobacco, herbal notes, hints of earth, finishes with well balanced tannins. A
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4/7/2016 - rougeamore Likes this wine: 91 Points
Medium bodied. True to a Rhone style wine. Good balance of acid and fruit. Drinking very well now.
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3/31/2016 - ettalovesgoodwine wrote: 92 Points
Drinking well now with 2 hr decant. Smooth & integrated. I have another bottle that I plan to hold till 2018+.
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3/11/2016 - CIAgrad86 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Star anise, cinnamon, mocha, really nice CdP, do not usually have these types of GSM, but learning to like them. Already smooth, give it 2-3 years
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2/7/2016 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking really well now. Incredible body and so well integrated right now. Hard to believe it will get better but my experience with these wines is that it will.
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1/15/2016 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 91 Points
Excellent wine. I had a 2005 last week, and although this is a lovely wine, the '05 was reall something!
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1/2/2016 - esrangers Likes this wine: 92 Points
A beautifully structured GSM. Open an hour before drinking.
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12/3/2015 - Djfermentation Likes this wine: 93 Points
We took this one to a LV Steakhouse to share with friends and after a decant and about 30 minutes of air it was fantastic.
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11/10/2015 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wow. Really drinking nicely now. Love it.
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10/21/2015 - BobMilton Likes this wine: 92 Points
Good black fruit with nice earthiness and spice.
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10/14/2015 - Bluethunder wrote: 90 Points
Dark fruit, smoke, medium body, sweet tannins
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10/5/2015 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 94 Points
Definitely decant this for one hour. It just soooo opened up after one hour. Delicious black fruit and mocha. Love this wine.
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9/20/2015 - bbcc66 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Decanted for 2 hrs. Nose of dark fruits, plum & dark chocolate. Medium body. Smooth, well-balanced tastes of raspberry, dark fruits, plum & chocolate. My wife & I split the bottle and some of the taste intensity waned in the last couple of glasses.
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9/4/2015 - ntruder wrote: 88 Points
This bottle was consistent with a disturbing trend I have been experiencing in all of the TC wines I have been drinking lately. After over ten years putting these wines in my collection I have decided to stop buying TC as they just are not living up to my previous experiences with them. Overall, this bottle just lacked character. Sure it was pleasant, integrated and there were for sure the expected hints of flavor, smooth tannin and balanced acid one would expect from a bottle of this stature, but it just did not leave me wanting another sip, let alone another bottle.
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8/29/2015 - DaveZack Likes this wine: 93 Points
We received this iconic (and always fabulous) red blend from Tablas’ wine club in September, 2012. I don’t believe any reliable wine critics/sources or myself have ever scored this wine below 90 points. Let’s see how the 2010 comes in…………
The bouquet is mostly earth and spices, with hints/rumors/suggestions of oak and floral elements as well. The wine pours dark, which isn’t too surprising considering 2/3 of the blend consists of Mourvedre and Syrah (the exact varietal break-down: 45% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 21% Syrah, and 4% Counoise).
As usual, this is a delicious, rich, mineral-driven, dark-fruited, savory, herbal, deeply-flavored and complex red blend. Tablas Creek is one of (if not THEE) best winery in California. We’ve been wine club members since 2008 and ALL of their wines are fantastic (I don’t believe I have ever rated/scored one of their wines below 90 points).
As expected (based on how dark the wine pours), there’s an abundance of dark, delicious fruits up front, such as plums and blackberries, supported by secondary red fruits (compliments of the Grenache), such as cherries, raspberries, and currants. Next up to the plate is an abundance of dried and savory herbs, like thyme and rosemary. After the fruit and herb profile, there’s a massive representation of black pepper (which I LOVE to death (and which explains why I LOVE Petite Sirah, Syrah, and earthy/peppery/savory Pinot Noirs as well)). There’s the PERFECET amount of rich, creamy oak as well, in addition to stony/minerally elements that add depth and complexity to the flavor profile. This wine also exhibits Paso Robles’ limestone, slate, calcareous, and earthy/stony elements as well. This wine is harmoniously well-balanced, where all the elements co-mingle beautifully so that all the individual elements add-up to one fabulous wine.
In addition to all of the flavor/character elements, this wine is fabulously well-structured. The tannins are crisp and zippy, and the acidity adds a very food-friendly profile as well. This wine is slightly rich and creamy, but thanks to its structure, it is also a very food-friendly red with an elegant palate-cleansing ability. This wine is drinking VERY well right now, but all of Tablas’ red and white “Esprit de Beaucastel/Tablas” red and white blends go through a “closed” phase where their flavor profile “shuts down” for 1 or 2 or 3 or more years (all wines evolve every nanosecond in the bottle; some improve and some become incredibly complex years after bottling (such as this beauty; it will probably enter it’s “closed” phase in the next year or two)). This beauty will continue to mature/evolve/gain complexity over the next five to twenty-five years.
I paired this wine with lamb chops spiced with Kosher salt, black pepper, and Herbs de Provence (seared on the BBQ). This wine paired PERFECTLY with the lamb chops and would also pair well with almost any/all red meat proteins. As previously-mentioned, it’s drinking very well right now but will probably enter its “closed” phase in the next year or two. Based on its structure, this wine will probably continue to age and mature gracefully for the next 10-to-20 years. Since we’re sitting on several of Tablas’ signature red blends (Panoplie; their ultimate and “best-of-the-best” red blends that since 2006 are either in a “closed” phase or are considered too young/”hot”), I’ve decided that once their Esprite de Beaucastel/Tablas blends (red and white) are in a “Peak Maturity” phase, it’s best to drink them fairly “young” rather than having to wait years and years and years for them to exit their “closed” phase and to re-enter their “peak maturity” phases. Tablas Creek’s website has a vintage chart that tells you what “phase” their wines are in. If you have this 2010 beauty in your library/cellar, I would recommend popping those “Bad Boys” open ASAP unless you don’t mind waiting another 5+ years. This wine is drinking PERFECTLY right now and I would recommend drinking it now unless you don’t mind waiting another 5+ years for it to “exit” its “closed” phase.
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8/10/2015 - BobMilton Likes this wine: 89 Points
Red fruit on the palate, but rather muted (this may be in a dumb phase right now).
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8/8/2015 - Trolson wrote: 79 Points
I was disappointed: little body and rather bland taste. Drank like it was at end of drinking window rather than at start.
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5/28/2015 - Wineson Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very good. Meaty and tasty!
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5/24/2015 - miker02 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Opened about 2 hours before drinking. Ruby in color. A little subdued but drinking well. Early in its drinking window, so may get better?
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5/23/2015 - walkerjfw wrote: 90 Points
At the beach Memorial Day, brought this for my European friends to bridge Calif and Rhone tastes. Decanted for about 30 minutes, could use more...
Rhone blend of 45% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 21% Syrah, 4% Counoise, the Mouvedre driven profile gives this more floral notes on the nose. also getting citrus/orange peel on the nose
Medium ruby color. Palate of black/blue fruits, baking spices, black pepper, tobacco leaf. Very CdP like - the objective, clearly. Medium finish, layered and complex. Wine is in a really good spot right now, will hold at this level for a while, IMO
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5/10/2015 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 93 Points
The TCV vintage chart is right on. Drinking beautifully right now. I wish I had decanted for an hour of two.
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4/22/2015 - BVal wrote: 91 Points
45% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 21% Syrah, 4% Counoise; 14.5% Alc.
Color: slightly lighter than expected for such a youngster: medium-deep ruby core showing some transparency -> diffuse, light/medium ruby rim. Quite the nice, reasonably complex bouquet showing off blackberries, spice, wet rock and a little black pepper. Pleasant, medium-bodied palate of blackberry, tobacco, minerals and a little plum splash. Good acid and light on its feet. This is really lovely -- well balanced, polished -- very much like a CDP from a light/medium weight year. Alcohol in check and a medium-long finish. I think this will develop nicely over the next few years but is drinking well enough now to pop the cork if desired.
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3/15/2015 - jkvedar wrote: 92 Points
Really fine, well-balanced offering. Smoke and earth and abut of blackberry on the nose. Dark cherry and a bit of pepper on the palate. Long, peppery finish. Integrated. Good with food.
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2/28/2015 - whitmanlholt wrote: 90 Points
Popped and poured from split. This is a solid red wine with a nose of dust, orange peel, and rosehips. The mouth has sweet cherry flavors, with slightly grapey overtones. The finish is spicy with a nice tangy element. Overall, this was a bit muted at first but opened with air. I don't think now is the optimal drinking time. 90 points.
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1/30/2015 - Trekntravel Likes this wine: 92 Points
Opened this 2010 bottle last night based upon suggestion from Tablas Creek blog vertical tasting of the Esprit de Beaucastel of vintages from 2000 - 2013. This Rhone blend was absolutely perfect possibly at its peak and went great with rich Italian pasta and risotto dishes. Well worth paying a corkage fee at an upscale Italian restaurant.
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1/12/2015 - wineduggery Does not like this wine: 88 Points
Too much kirsch and heat for me, but that's a matter of taste.
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12/26/2014 - Jcdcccdc Likes this wine: 86 Points
Very drinkable. Nice fruit forward. A little light on the finish.
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12/9/2014 - dbay Likes this wine: 90 Points
Ruby colored. Aromas of chocolate and cherries. Lovely fruits up front- raisin, plums, some dusty notes followed by mocha finish.
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11/21/2014 - Jcdcccdc Likes this wine: 86 Points
Drank with dinner at Village California Bistro. Nice GSM.
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11/1/2014 - jonahfactor Likes this wine: 94 Points
(Tasting at the winery) Open for business right now, as opposed to the 2012, which was tight. Dark ruby with kirchenfenster legs and enchanting dusty fruit-driven notes. A finish that seems to go on for hours. Still tannic, but slowly shedding some of its baby fat.
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10/30/2014 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 93 Points
Contender for WOTN at the auction mtg. Great minerality to balance red and black fruit along with herb and smoke...the floral nose is impressive for intensity.
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10/25/2014 - Omar Khayyam wrote: 89 Points
Sweet, smooth texture, violets, leather, red and blue fruit, licorice, fresh enough and very ready to drink. Modern expression.compared to the 2007 Mastroberardino Radici 07 and the Yann Chave crozes hermitage 12 le rouvre this came up short, but still very nice wine and easy to enjoy.
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9/15/2014 - Jwd12 wrote: 89 Points
Red garnet nice legs. Nose had red and blue berry with a little earth. Tasted berries chocolate coffee earthy leather. A good wine would buy again
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9/14/2014 - 4wdave wrote: 90 Points
Didn't seem to age well. OK, but nothing special
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8/8/2014 - Woodbridge Brad Likes this wine: 95 Points
CdP from the Central Coast. Complex, round and fresh. The wine is a seductive blend of Mourvedre, Syrah and Grenache that has muscle yet delicate notes of orange peel and smokey red fruits. Best wine of a great tasting.
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7/24/2014 - s******n wrote: 90 Points
Klassischer Rhone Wein - sehr gut (dunkle Beeren, nicht viel Gewürze). Noch recht jung aber dafür schon sehr rund und harmonisch. Schöner, runder Rhone Wein, der aber nicht an einen CdP rankommt.
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7/12/2014 - garambler Likes this wine: 93 Points
I opened this at our 7/12/14 brisket dinner / Mourvedre tasting. Because of its youth, I poured it through a vinturi into a decanter and let it sit for 3 hours prior to tasting. It had rich, ripe, bright bouquet of cherry, raspberry, cola and spice aromas. The palate was rich, ripe and fresh with good lift and flavors that followed the nose. 92+
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7/10/2014 - rcg62 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Old school Rhone! Restrained nose with red cherry notes. Medium ruby color. Much more restrained than typical central coast blends. Palate of darker fruit with some bite. I get a lot of Grenache despite "only" 30% in the blend. Needs to sit a little -- I can't wait to try it in 5 years.
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7/1/2014 - Genghis88 Likes this wine: 90 Points
HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!!
Dark purple, full bodied, high alcohol
Dark fruits, some spice (nutmeg, coriander seeds)
Tastes much like the nose, stewed prunes, silky texture, red licorice, tannins are present, hints of cocoa, with a longish finish
I enjoyed this wine more as time passed. I think it will get a little better with time, but drinking nicely now.
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5/22/2014 - vinoballo wrote: 92 Points
Ready to drink but could use more age. A bit floral.
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5/11/2014 - BigBoy_Sonoma wrote: 94 Points
Blackberries, black cherries, fine tobacco, pepper, chocolate, smokey oak. Intense fruit with terrific balanced, A
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5/4/2014 - BigBoy_Sonoma wrote: 94 Points
Blackberries, black cherries, fine tobacco, pepper, chocolate, smokey oak. Intense fruit with terrific balanced, A
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4/27/2014 - BigBoy_Sonoma Likes this wine: 94 Points
Blackberries, black cherries, fine tobacco, pepper, chocolate, smokey oak. Intense fruit with terrific balanced, A
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4/24/2014 - BigBoy_Sonoma Likes this wine: 94 Points
Black fruit, minerals, spice cedar and smokey oak. The wine is well integrated, tannins still showing thru, but there is nice balance. Wine seems to have a good backbone and seemed youthful, but drinkable.
A.
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4/24/2014 - BigBoy_Sonoma wrote: 94 Points
Blackberries, blueberries, spice, cinnamon, faint dusting of chocolate, cedar, hints of tobacco, element ls of minerality. Well balanced acidity A
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4/6/2014 - wilypod Likes this wine: 87 Points
A very good but not sexy wine. Possessing neither the funkiness of a French Rhone not the brute fruit of a CA Rhone ranger, it may require patience to reveal any latent glory. Bright blue and red fruits of moderate intensity with little of the garrigue and gaminess I associate with a good Rhone. No oak spice, jam, or baked pie fruit I associate with CA fruit bombs. Flavorwise, it is balanced and complete with an expansive and lifted middle palate and a finish of medium length. The wine is beautifully crafted but seems closed, and lacks spice and excitement -- at least at this stage. Wait until 2017.
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3/3/2014 - bzell Likes this wine: 94 Points
Great wine soft smooth round well made wine a great example of a domestic Rhone style wine.
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2/16/2014 - Amerique wrote: 91 Points
Brown edges, lighter fruit, peppery flavors
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2/7/2014 - jeffreylubowski Likes this wine: 92 Points
Had with lamb sausage. Excellent wine. Rhone inspired but without the leather and add fruit. Strawberry and sour cherry. I'm a fan.
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12/28/2013 - VintageSully Likes this wine: 91 Points
A terrific and tasty Rhone-style blend by Tablas Creek. Made up of 45% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 21% Syrah, 4% Counoise, this baby oozes big fruit flavors of strawberry and sour cherry, coated in anise and pepper and garnished with hints of wood, fig and earth. Light weight but with a big mouthfeel and nicely balanced acidity leading into a long finish. 91 is probably a bit conservative and I may have to revise my rating upward in the future. This should continue to improve for years to come.
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12/26/2013 - BHANK wrote: 89 Points
This is more of a group review than a personal review. We had this bottle with some aged cheddar cheese. The consensus was that this was a good wine with subdued flavors - nothing overpowering. One of the members of our group commented that he found that the wine had some saltiness - afterwards I found myself agreeing with his assessment. Overall, I thought this was more muted than I had expected; I preferred the 2011 Esprit. I have a few more of these bottles, so I will be looking forward to seeing how my assessment changes over time (if at all).
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12/22/2013 - rplumbo wrote: 89 Points
Pretty reserved. Good wine, but not a ton of character and pretty muted. Bright acidity, but no frame or weight to balance it. Good experience overall, just expected a little more.
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11/15/2013 - boogeyone Likes this wine: 92 Points
Will only get better with age. Nicely balanced, rich fruit.
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11/5/2013 - danielbleier wrote: 92 Points
Big fig, plum, tobacco and smoke flavors. A full bodied wine with a firm finish.
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10/27/2013 - Wink Likes this wine: 90 Points
Ordered a half bottle off the wine list at Absinthe Brasserie and Bar in San Francisco. Clear dark ruby. Expressive nose of cherry and earthy leather. Medium palate of black cherry, hoisin, plum, leather, and vanilla. Very good length. Pleasant acidity. Young tannins.
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10/25/2013 - THA wrote:
Delicious. Really nice lift. Refreshing. Good weightlessness.
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10/3/2013 - walkerjfw wrote: 88 Points
At Gary's Grand tasting - had this after a coudoulet Beaucastel and a Chateau DBeacastel 2010.
Have had other vintages in the past that were more distinctive. I suspect this would do better with a longer decant.
Plums/cherries on the nose. Palate of earth, black cherry, licorice, blue fruit. I think it will improve a bit with a few years in the cellar
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9/30/2013 - MattMauldin wrote: 93 Points
Aromas of brambly earth, anise, black cherry, and mineral. Descriptors that come to mind on the palate- rich, elegant, balanced, fleshy. Flavors of cherry, mineral, mossy earth, and dark spice. Bright acid and fine tannin, with a big juicy finish. Great stuff- should evolve nicely.
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8/12/2013 - iamandyc wrote: 87 Points
PnP. Not as much going on with this wine as I hoped to see. Perhaps it needs a lengthy decant. Kind of light and disjointed on this tasting. Typical GSM type flavors.
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7/8/2013 - Oakjeff wrote: 92 Points
This wine has so much finesse. Had a taste at the tasting room today. Bought another bottle to add to the other two I have sitting at home. Approachable now, but this has a long life ahead of it.
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6/2/2013 - jfarley3 wrote: 92 Points
So well balanced yet complex that it passes over the palate with such an easy going nature that defines a great wine. Layers of blue fruit with earth, cassis and a bit of spiciness. Long finish. Can definitely enjoy now through the next couple of years.
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5/17/2013 - bzell Likes this wine: 95 Points
Wonderful rich full body wine now that will be measurably better in 3 or 4 years. Still the depth of this wine shines through with rich aromas of plums and dark berries on the nose and layers of flavors on the palate from cherries, tar, licorice and a dusty hint of fruit on the finish. I have had 5 or 6 years of this wine and this is the best.
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5/3/2013 - nzinkgraf wrote:
Tablas Creek: red, red, red aromas. on the palate more herb and less fruit than the '10Mourvedre. Hints at spice, but not overdone. very nice. '10 was a long and cool vintage with no frost. '09 was hot.
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5/1/2013 - cab blends wrote:
AHA Hearts Delight - USA Wine Tasting: Compared to the Bonds, the tannins were light - Tannins 4/10. The Grenache fruitiness comes through
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4/7/2013 - topher2411 wrote: 89 Points
Beautiful nose, but a little simple on the palate. Tastes a little cooked.
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4/5/2013 - jonahfactor Likes this wine: 97 Points
Now we're talking. Closed but showing incredible potential; this will scream in 10+ years. Ruby hued with generous legs. Resting in the glass, some elements start peeking out -- cherry, black raspberry, tobacco. Tannins are fine but upfront right now. This will be a beautiful wine. "97" rating based on potential; right now I'd rate it a 91.
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3/29/2013 - Stockhausen Likes this wine: 88 Points
bright, light red. 45% mourvedre, 30% grenache noir, 21% syrah, 4% counoise
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3/23/2013 - Martin Redmond Likes this wine: 92 Points
2013 Rhone Rangers - The Best of The Rhone Rosés: Carmine color with black raspberry, plum, smoked meat, and pepper aromas. On the palate, it's ample with an intense supple mouthfeel. It shows black raspberry, plum, and a kiss of bittersweet chocolate flavors. Long finish. Blend of 45% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 21% Syrah, 4% Counoise
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3/15/2013 - duchamp Likes this wine: 93 Points
Dark crimson, raspberry, toffee, garrigue and hints of dried herbs on the nose, lush red and black fruit on the palate with plenty of tangy acidity to balance all that primary fruit, finish is also dominated by berry fruit with undertones of sage, baking soda and cinnamon
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3/3/2013 - Tim Heaton wrote:
Following Brig's advice, I pulled the cork on Sat night, knowing we'd drink it on Sun night. Spot on! This was singing at the 24 hour mark, with all the nuances and character on display front and center. Very complex for just $45, and very tasty, also. I like this blend of 45% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 21% Syrah and 4% Counoise. The 14,5% abv was fully integrated at the 24 hr mark. I'd welcome a chance to drink this again; highly recommended, drink thru 2019
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3/2/2013 - KCBrian wrote: 89 Points
I sure hope brigcampbell is right about this wine. I opened this after a 2007 CdP and it was step down in flavor. Yes it was tight but I was a bit let down. Will try another in a year .
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2/17/2013 - affordableCollector wrote: 88 Points
Paso Robles Rhone Rangers (Broken Earth Winery): brilliant red in color. tart dark berry, forest floor, smoke, on the nose. cherry, wood shavings, spice, on the palate. good balance of acid and tannins on the finish.
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2/17/2013 - brigcampbell wrote:
Falltacular 2013 (FMIII in the OC): I struggled with this wine after tasting so many that were drinking right from the open. This wine is composed of big parts and needs age to show its beauty, right now it's tight and resting. Do yourself a favor and wait before pulling the cork on this one, you'll be rewarded.
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2/11/2013 - profiler54 wrote: 90 Points
Nice spicy character earthy barnyard aromas, leathery with ripe plum, and cherries.. Very pleasant wine .. This wine has great potential. Damn I should have waited on this one. It could cellar for another 3-5 years and could go a distance
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1/22/2013 - Mpoob wrote:
'13-'33, Tablas Creek
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1/18/2013 - ihavezinned wrote: 87 Points
nose of spice, black and red fruit, sweet incense, tar - beautiful
palate of spice, cherry, tar, wood
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1/8/2013 - GTFreek wrote:
Beaucastel family went to Paso Robles, brought their cuttings to a similar site in the late 90s. 45% Mouverdre, 30% Grenache, 21% Syrah. Fruit forward and light, but with balance behind it. Well made, easy to drink but complex.
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12/28/2012 - europat55 wrote: 91 Points
Tablas Creek Winery (Paso Robles, CA): Gorgeous nose with currants, plums. The palate is surprisingly soft at this stage compared to other Esprit I've had. Meaty. Very nice. Drinking well now, but definitely a good cellar option.
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11/29/2012 - Votefordennis Likes this wine: 94 Points
Garnet color, thick body, floral aromas and a very nice, long finish with a bit of chocolate. Had to try now, ordering more and expecting more impressive qualities after time in the cellar.
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11/16/2012 - PIntag wrote: 90 Points
Really nice young Esprit. Quite tight and tannic as one might expect, but more approachable than you'd think at this stage. The Grenache is most prominent at this stage, but the earthy Mourvedre also makes its presence known. Great structure apparent. This should be a real exciting wine in a few years.
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11/11/2012 - mtaczak wrote: 90 Points
All that mourvedre gives this a nice meaty feel. drinking well, even this young, but best with 1-2 hours of air.
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10/27/2012 - jonahfactor wrote: 95 Points
Tasted with Lyn at the winery on a beautiful Paso Robles autumn day. I'll try to mute my enthusiasm for this wine, which might be the best Esprit we've tasted. Still coming together in the bottle and probably not ready for prime time for at least 7-8 years, this splendid bottling has not yet developed a nose that excites like the palate does. Almost half Mourvedre with a healthy (30%) dose of Grenache, it provides a mouthful of blueberry, currant, plum and raspberries with some balsamic chocolate notes. Earthy and medium/full bodied, but surprisingly light on its feet as it sits on the palate. The winery claims this vintage featured the coolest year in its history, which resulted in exceptionally long hang times. A tour de force in California winemaking in the Paso Robles region.
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10/27/2012 - brettdogg Likes this wine: 92 Points
Floral nose, tasted hints of black pepper, plum, cherry, and rose. A bit tight at this point right after release and still a bit tannic (the syrah?), but I'm impressed at the stage it's at now. Will wait a bit before popping the cork on this wine again.
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10/24/2012 - jrkennedy37 wrote: 92 Points
Lovely bottle, with extreme concentration and bursting with fruit. The best way to describe it is purple fruit explosion. Had next to 05 esprit which gets me excited for the future of this wine. Needs at least five years to show its depth and allow the upfront fruit to balance out.
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10/7/2012 - Redguy wrote:
Highly concentrated with old world type construction... ringer for a CdP. Tannic and quite structured this is one for the cellar. Big wine that doesn't lead with the ripe plush "approachable" fruit like so many Paso cuvees. This is more about structure, balance, and detail. Good concentration with good heft and depth. Tight as a drum presently. Black licorice, dark berry, old wood, and earthy loamy soil. Great overlay of minerals too. Dark, almost sinnister in nature. These Esprits seem to get more muscular with each vintage. Reminiscent of the '09. Dark, meaty, earthy... great and powerful things lurking in the depths. Probably won't be very generous over the short term but excellent long term prospects. 92-94
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9/20/2012 - vanpe003 wrote: 93 Points
No detailed notes, as the bottle went quickly tonight. Approachable now, but young for sure. This hints at grandeur several years down the road. Big on initial impact, but not like the '03 or '05 CdPs. More balanced than that, and suggests that with some time in the bottle, and some shedding of baby fat, this could become a very alluring wine. Much more "Euro" in styling than the '07, at least from memory.
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