Some great earthy funk up front, I love that. Seemingly a little thin overall, but an elegance makes up for this. Some pretty fruit and flower things going on.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very Rhône oriented; more so than Cali-Rhône. A bit reticent, likely because of its youth. But lovely and food friendly. If we had more, I’d wait another 5 years before uncorking. Drink 2030 to 2040. Worth Seeking Out.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Medium ruby color. Nose of red fruit, orange zest, spices, lavender, Palate showing bing cherry, savory, herbs, anise. The spice and red fruit persist through the mid palate, reminiscent of CdP by design...Nice depth, layered and complex. Medium body and finish.
Nice showing on this evening. The group loved it and went well with the food. Weight and profile of this wine would pair well with a range of savory dishes.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Excellent Brought this out to a restaurant and had it opened and a glass poured shortly after seating. This gave it some needed time to breathe while we had a glass of white wine with some initial dishes. It was a bit punchy and glossy when first poured, but after only a half hour started to come together and just got better and better. The Mourvedre starts to show a bit of its meaty character.
(~1/3 bottle leftover, stoppered, no suction or gas, was consumed on a following day and drank nicely)
I've only got a couple more of these, so figure the next one in a few years.
Tablas Creek's 2018 Esprit de Tablas was sourced from the best estate lots for each of the four varietals (40% Mourvèdre, 27% Syrah, 23% Grenache and 10% Counoise). Aged in used oak foudres, it is a medium garnet wine that offers an enticing aromatic array of black raspberries, Bing cherries, licorice, black pepper and lavender. Medium-bodied, nicely lifted, lightly oaked and without noticeable alcohol (13.5%), it delivers flavors in line with the aromas, adding notes of Provençal herbs and smoked meat. At this stage the tannins are silky-smooth. Dense in the middle and long on the back end, this is an impressive Rhone-style blend that is worthy of its flagship status. Popped and poured, it required minimal aeration in order to fully strut its stuff. Enjoy it throughout the remainder of this decade. Drink now-2030.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Paso Robles Winery Visits; 8/30/2023-9/1/2023: Lighter ruby. Fragrant with a touch of herbs. Rich but restrained blue fruit that flows really well. Excellent framing acidity and a dry, tannic finish. Really excellent but it needs 5+ years.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Reds Tasting at Tablas Creek (Paso Robles) (Tablas Creek Winery): Very Good++/Excellent. I'm happy to have a few of these already slumbering in the cellar. Showing more balance right now across all varietals than the preceding 2020, Grenache zest, plum, energetic, but something felt a bit pulled in. Is this shutting down soon?
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep ruby in the glass, nose is restrained with dark fruits, palate is dry and complex, dark cherry, plum, black currant, pastry, bit Smokey, earth, cedar, acidity and body is medium +, black tea tannins, long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very nice wine but not one i would take to a casual party unless people like wines. Very smooth balance of the fruits tannins and acid. Dark fruits red plum, wild berry, cherry,cocoa and stones
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Open several hours. Moderately intense aromas of dark fruit and spice. Dry, with moderate to elevated acidity, moderate velvety tannins, medium-bodied, 13.5°. More dark fruit and herbal notes on the palate. Mourvedre, Syrah, Grenache and Counoise, but the Mourvedre is running the show. Nice balance of fruit, acid, alcohol and so forth.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very pretty and a more feminine version, with silky tannins and a little grip on the back. The finish is medium in length, and the body is of that nature as well. Elderberry, black raspberries, garrigue, dried flowers and crumbling rock. There’s a solid core. Drink 2023 - 2033.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This one is GOING to be GREAT. Don't touch it for another 2 years... not because of any 'structure' or 'closed off intensity' but because the pie cherry fruit is so intense and the smokey mourvèdre is quite wound-up still yet screaming to come alive. It drinks very well now: 2 hours opened and it had the rich cherry fruit, rich dark fruits lurking and lots of intensity and length. So thoroughly enjoyable now, but it seems destined for higher points. And it will be a pleasure to follow along every 2-3 years.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine rocks, balanced, dark color, complex flavors, great fruit but never becomes heavy or grapey, 13.5% abv but intense flavor, medium body, drank with London broil, JD is off base, will drink again, the wine shows it balance and complexity so simply.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened not decanted. Tastes very young. Cranberry in color; lightweight in body; bright tart cherry and black cherry notes; noticeable heat; very light but tastes thin at the same time. However, I think the heat is too elevated to be a long a term ager. Good to Very Good right now.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Full bodied, complex, and dry with notes of black plum, blackberry, licorice, leather, spice, and earth. High tannins, medium alcohol, and medium acid. Enjoyable now, but definitely will benefit from a few more years in the cellar.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nice, barnyard-y flavors you'd expect from an homage to the S. Rhone. The color was fairly light going into the glass, which considering the very grippy tannins was surprising. This was probably consumed a bit too young. Letting bottles mellow for a few more years would be ideal.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
18 was the drier year. Less lush. This is less opulent and less fruit than the 17; so obviously it is more to my palate's liking. Cocoa, spices, forest floor at first; followed by red and black cherries and dark plums. Very linear. Soft, powdery tannins.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pale ruby. Medium intensity aroma of cherry, blossom, licorice. Dry, medium- tannin, medium alcohol, medium+ acidity. Licorice, cherry, cola, blueberry. Short finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Always a perennial favorite of mine, but this year I question its value. For a $50 Cali Rhône blend, I don’t think it drinks enough above a $20 Cotes du Rhône to make it worth it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tablas Creek Virtual Tasting - 375ml bottle. Dazzling Ruby color. BlackBerry and earthy tones on a beautifully vibrant nose. Young, rough tannins but not overwhelming. Leather, berries, and mild spice on the finish. Lovely. Can’t wait to taste the full bottle in 5 years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
5/6/2024 - TallMikeWine Likes this wine: 90 Points
Some great earthy funk up front, I love that. Seemingly a little thin overall, but an elegance makes up for this. Some pretty fruit and flower things going on.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/26/2024 - dino_mike Likes this wine: 95 Points
Nice drinking window with ripe cherry and complexity.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/10/2024 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:
Very Rhône oriented; more so than Cali-Rhône. A bit reticent, likely because of its youth. But lovely and food friendly. If we had more, I’d wait another 5 years before uncorking. Drink 2030 to 2040. Worth Seeking Out.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/3/2024 - walkerjfw wrote: 93 Points
Getting our Dutch On! Jeroen and Isobel visit New Hope... (Chez Walker - New Hope, PA): Purchased at the property after a tasting last Summer. Staying with the Tablas Creek theme for the evening, this was our lone red for the evening. Served with a surf and turf: Delmonico steak and salmon with risotto...Decanted for about an hour prior.
Medium ruby color. Nose of red fruit, orange zest, spices, lavender, Palate showing bing cherry, savory, herbs, anise. The spice and red fruit persist through the mid palate, reminiscent of CdP by design...Nice depth, layered and complex. Medium body and finish.
Nice showing on this evening. The group loved it and went well with the food. Weight and profile of this wine would pair well with a range of savory dishes.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/28/2023 - tward Likes this wine: 92 Points
Excellent
Brought this out to a restaurant and had it opened and a glass poured shortly after seating. This gave it some needed time to breathe while we had a glass of white wine with some initial dishes. It was a bit punchy and glossy when first poured, but after only a half hour started to come together and just got better and better. The Mourvedre starts to show a bit of its meaty character.
(~1/3 bottle leftover, stoppered, no suction or gas, was consumed on a following day and drank nicely)
I've only got a couple more of these, so figure the next one in a few years.
13.5% abv
Empty bottle weight: 490g
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
9/19/2023 - StitcherAl wrote: 95 Points
Beautiful color, nice nose, very smooth, with a slight hot at the end. Boyd would have loved this!!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/18/2023 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 93 Points
Tablas Creek's 2018 Esprit de Tablas was sourced from the best estate lots for each of the four varietals (40% Mourvèdre, 27% Syrah, 23% Grenache and 10% Counoise). Aged in used oak foudres, it is a medium garnet wine that offers an enticing aromatic array of black raspberries, Bing cherries, licorice, black pepper and lavender. Medium-bodied, nicely lifted, lightly oaked and without noticeable alcohol (13.5%), it delivers flavors in line with the aromas, adding notes of Provençal herbs and smoked meat. At this stage the tannins are silky-smooth. Dense in the middle and long on the back end, this is an impressive Rhone-style blend that is worthy of its flagship status. Popped and poured, it required minimal aeration in order to fully strut its stuff. Enjoy it throughout the remainder of this decade. Drink now-2030.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/30/2023 - drwine2001 wrote:
Paso Robles Winery Visits; 8/30/2023-9/1/2023: Lighter ruby. Fragrant with a touch of herbs. Rich but restrained blue fruit that flows really well. Excellent framing acidity and a dry, tannic finish. Really excellent but it needs 5+ years.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/30/2023 - Stuart10er Likes this wine:
Light purple and translucent. Tart tasting with moderate tannins. I’m liking it but not sure I’m getting it.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/14/2023 - tward Likes this wine:
Reds Tasting at Tablas Creek (Paso Robles) (Tablas Creek Winery): Very Good++/Excellent. I'm happy to have a few of these already slumbering in the cellar. Showing more balance right now across all varietals than the preceding 2020, Grenache zest, plum, energetic, but something felt a bit pulled in. Is this shutting down soon?
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/10/2023 - WineCenturyAZ Likes this wine: 87 Points
Deep ruby in the glass, nose is restrained with dark fruits, palate is dry and complex, dark cherry, plum, black currant, pastry, bit Smokey, earth, cedar, acidity and body is medium +, black tea tannins, long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/22/2023 - Omas list Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very nice wine but not one i would take to a casual party unless people like wines. Very smooth balance of the fruits tannins and acid. Dark fruits red plum, wild berry, cherry,cocoa and stones
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/6/2022 - BobMilton Likes this wine: 93 Points
A very nice red Rhone. Red fruited with good acidity.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/15/2022 - ocassiuso Likes this wine:
Open several hours. Moderately intense aromas of dark fruit and spice. Dry, with moderate to elevated acidity, moderate velvety tannins, medium-bodied, 13.5°. More dark fruit and herbal notes on the palate. Mourvedre, Syrah, Grenache and Counoise, but the Mourvedre is running the show. Nice balance of fruit, acid, alcohol and so forth.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/28/2022 - Matt Scott Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very pretty and a more feminine version, with silky tannins and a little grip on the back. The finish is medium in length, and the body is of that nature as well. Elderberry, black raspberries, garrigue, dried flowers and crumbling rock. There’s a solid core. Drink 2023 - 2033.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/17/2022 - dino_mike Likes this wine: 94 Points
This one is GOING to be GREAT. Don't touch it for another 2 years... not because of any 'structure' or 'closed off intensity' but because the pie cherry fruit is so intense and the smokey mourvèdre is quite wound-up still yet screaming to come alive. It drinks very well now: 2 hours opened and it had the rich cherry fruit, rich dark fruits lurking and lots of intensity and length. So thoroughly enjoyable now, but it seems destined for higher points. And it will be a pleasure to follow along every 2-3 years.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/14/2022 - Jeppy Likes this wine: 89 Points
Decent wine, but not worth the $50 paid for it.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/17/2021 - mwneil Likes this wine: 95 Points
This wine rocks, balanced, dark color, complex flavors, great fruit but never becomes heavy or grapey, 13.5% abv but intense flavor, medium body, drank with London broil, JD is off base, will drink again, the wine shows it balance and complexity so simply.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/12/2021 - SF Angela Likes this wine:
12.12.21 - Hints of cranberry but getting more of the acidic black fruit. Tart & medium-bodied.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/12/2021 - tanglenet wrote:
Opened not decanted. Tastes very young. Cranberry in color; lightweight in body; bright tart cherry and black cherry notes; noticeable heat; very light but tastes thin at the same time. However, I think the heat is too elevated to be a long a term ager. Good to Very Good right now.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/9/2021 - agnorger Likes this wine: 93 Points
Fantastic right now. Mouth watering goodness here.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/31/2021 - EM_MB Likes this wine: 93 Points
PNP. Always a solid crowd pleaser. No need to hold, drinking very well right now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/25/2021 - Stephen.Somm Likes this wine: 91 Points
Full bodied, complex, and dry with notes of black plum, blackberry, licorice, leather, spice, and earth. High tannins, medium alcohol, and medium acid. Enjoyable now, but definitely will benefit from a few more years in the cellar.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/10/2021 - Trickyone Likes this wine:
Nice, barnyard-y flavors you'd expect from an homage to the S. Rhone. The color was fairly light going into the glass, which considering the very grippy tannins was surprising. This was probably consumed a bit too young. Letting bottles mellow for a few more years would be ideal.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/1/2021 - AlphaMikeFoxtrot Likes this wine: 91 Points
Tasted at the winery side by side with the 2017
18 was the drier year. Less lush. This is less opulent and less fruit than the 17; so obviously it is more to my palate's liking. Cocoa, spices, forest floor at first; followed by red and black cherries and dark plums. Very linear. Soft, powdery tannins.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/27/2021 - mayakacz Likes this wine:
Tasted along 2017. More licorice-y.
Pale ruby.
Medium intensity aroma of cherry, blossom, licorice.
Dry, medium- tannin, medium alcohol, medium+ acidity. Licorice, cherry, cola, blueberry. Short finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/11/2021 - thoughtdujour wrote: 90 Points
duplicate
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/2/2021 - Sonoma-W Likes this wine: 92 Points
Medium bodied, great fruit, definitely rooted in the rhone.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/25/2021 - mmcdds Likes this wine: 88 Points
Always a perennial favorite of mine, but this year I question its value. For a $50 Cali Rhône blend, I don’t think it drinks enough above a $20 Cotes du Rhône to make it worth it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/25/2020 - SF Angela Likes this wine:
10.25.20 - Lighter than En Gobelet. Lots of good spice & savory meat from the mourvedre.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/16/2020 - BBTorCA Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tablas Creek Virtual Tasting - 375ml bottle.
Dazzling Ruby color. BlackBerry and earthy tones on a beautifully vibrant nose. Young, rough tannins but not overwhelming. Leather, berries, and mild spice on the finish. Lovely. Can’t wait to taste the full bottle in 5 years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/21/2020 - yvonnekoen Likes this wine: 93 Points
Lovely, complex and worthy of aging.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment