Last had a bottle of this GSM from my cellar about 3.5 yrs ago. This one has aged considerably since then, coming across as advanced and a bit OTH today, with the fruit drying up and a thin flavor profile. Perhaps an off bottle?
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From a half bottle, this was a great showing for this wine. The color is light ruby, almost resembling a darker yet translucent pinot. There was some alcohol that MOSTLY blew off, although a bit remained throughout. The profile is subdued with high acidity, raspberry, cinnamon and cedar. This wine took an interesting evolution in the glass and over the years.
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Raspberry pie, blackberry pie, cinnamon, allspice, cedar, smoke on the nose. Flavors consistent with the aromas; and not a tertiary flavor/aromas in sight. Full bodied, medium acid, good medium tannins that show no signs of tiring.
What's crazy about this is how this doesn't taste that different from the 2018 version of the current wine (Esprit de Tablas). What the heck? Is this actually too young? I say hold on to this for 2-5 more years if you have it. It shows signs that it could get better.
Day 2 - now it tastes older - more tertiary flavors (mushrooms, old leather). The fruit is still there, though!
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Pop and pour, followed 2 good sized glasses over 2 hours. There was a ton of sediment, so the last glass of the bottle was filtered. Other than some pruney qualities that blew off, this was little changed over 2 hours. The wine is smooth, easy drinking and harmonious. If this was a real 2008 Beaucastel, I'd be disappointed. Qualitatively, I think its up there with Carlisle syrahs, but (maybe) a different style. This is a charming wine but not exceptional, and I don't understand the $60 to $70 prices for current releases.
Decanted 4 hours. Excellent as others have said. Integrated with no sharp edges, balanced notes of stone, pepper, dark fruits and a faint hint of green herbs. I did not get the earthy/barnyard note others mentioned. Terrific wine, better with each hour.
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From magnum with H and M and the girls. Although carelessly stored since we had no more room in the cellar, this was beautiful. Classic aged GSM blend. Upfront barnyard and horse saddle, and offered up some nice fruit and black licorice on the palate. Browning at the rim, and fine sediment on the glass. So suggest a light filtering when pouring. Would easily earn a “95.” Outstanding.
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From magnum at Christmas Eve dinner. Beautiful. Fully integrated and showing rich black and blue fruits augmented by whiffs of barnyard and rich forest loam. Can’t imagine this getting any better. But likely will hold for another decade. Drink now to 2030. Outstanding.
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2nd bottle of 3. Last tasted 3.5 yrs ago. This is just singing, a gorgeous montage of GSMC...grippy tannins, tight acidity, perfectly ripened black and red fruits that are supported by mint, sage, espresso grounds, and tar. Voluptuous mouthfeel, silky plums-and-spice finish that is lip-smackingly long. Drink now through 2025 or so.
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This bottle was singing. Rich cherry fruit, menthol, earth. Slight heat, but not distracting. This is really nice. The TC Esprits are fine and consistently good.
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Dark nose, smokey aromas; Layerd w/Dark plum, blackberry flavors, hints of old wood, cocoa, graham cracker, bitterness in the finish. Full intense body, hollow middle, medium (+) juicy acids, medum (+) grainy, rustic tannins. Long juicy finish.
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So looking back on my note from 2016 I do think this wine or bottle is showing its age. Definitely mature with more glycerin feel than fruit and subdued nose of forest floor and earth.
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at first after PnP, this was gorgeous. funk and finely resolved tannin, beautifully balanced. has the curse of the 2008s lifted (see previous notes)? an hour later ... no. off-putting nose with VA and maybe a touch of brett. really great for the first 45 minutes, so pop em open and pass em around!
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Old World from the New World (Amy & Scott's): 1 hour decant. This wine resembles a very balanced Southern Rhone of modest producer. It seems fully integrated right now, not overly youthful and not showing any signs of decline. Overall, the price of about $40 seems appropriate or just slightly high. I have seen reviewers wax poetic about this wine, and the 6 bottles I've consumed do not agree with that. One 750 and one 375 left. When to open?
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Seems like this might be past its prime; acid a bit harsh and barnyard elements rather pronounced. Nose also fading fast. Not terrible, but less interesting than it was several years ago and definitely not improving, so drink up.
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Southern Rhone - Old World vs New World: This wine was spot on with the lamb chops as it had more acidity than the old world wine. Was still youthful with some jammy characteristics, great spices and a dry finish. was more elegant and smooth. This wine does not need too many more years of cellaring.
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Fantastic. Nose of plum, sweet black cherry, perfumed berries, tobacco / light tar and baking spices. Well integrated fruit, med bodied, soft and elegant with layered flavors. Great out of the bottle and even better after an hour+ in the decanter. Fantastic wine.
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BU au souper Ribs & reef chez Carol avec 4 amis. Il e bien tenu le coup avec les ribs BBQ sauce bourbon. Probalement que les côtes lui ont aidé, c`est ma bouteille qui a le mieux paru sur les 2008 ouverts jusqu`ici! Nez sur les herbes, les épices et les fruits rouge. En bouche, cola, cerises et thym avec un peu de poivre et de viande. Les tannins sont fins et la finale longue et suave. Très bien.
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Surprisingly softer than tasting a year ago. Good earthy nose, deep black cherry fruit on nose and palate. A bit of sweet spice. Tannins are gone, so drinking well right now. Would be perfect with a bit less alcohol - 14.5% - but at this point in its evolution it doesn’t distract. I would drink this now before the alcohol dominates the fruit. Very good with meat.
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Mint and tobacco accent the slightly sweet and ripe fruit. Enough acidity to keep it balanced. Pretty good, with the possibility of further development.
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This was a tough one to fully embrace. I liked it very much and also didn't like it so much. It had an overripe nose, baked to one taster and nearly so to me. It was well into secondary and tertiary flavors, but those were subdued. I kept getting mint and dark chocolate and baked earth and spices and it kept me coming back for more. It was like an "84" and a "90" at once. Not sure where this one is going. [This was a library release from the winery obtained two years ago and kept in good conditions, ~65F, since then.]
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Drank very well with grilled steaks. Stored for 7 years in good (dark, seasonal fluctuation from upper 50s to upper 60s F), but not ideal conditions, this is ready to drink. It shows a warm vintage southern Rhone profile, nearly too ripe and intense for my taste (as many of them are these days, like most I've tasted from 2015 so far). Still very nice if lacking complexity in the middle. Plum, baking spices, burnt earth, maybe some violet. It will be interesting to compare with a library bottle I bought from Tablas two years ago that was presumably at ideal cellar conditions until then...
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This is drinking really well right now. I am sure it will get better, but why wait. Lovely tones of smoke and tar, lingering finish, dark fruit. It is hard to get better than this.
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Après une première bouchonnée, la seconde est clean mais semble avoir des notes de réduction! Bouche sur le caoutchouc, la prune et le goudron...pas beaucoup de fruit avec une finale courte et amère.
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I tend to agree with a lot of the reviews I'm seeing here, it lacks body, spice, something...it's very potent and heavy while again lacking structure so a bit odd. I got this at the vineyard and at the tasting feel like I remember the 09' was more complex, to be seen...
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this wine's low acid caught up with it - bottle was well over the hill for my taste - flat, hollow, flabby and decaying. Not a flawed bottle, stored in an ideal cellar, happy I don't have more.
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Brought this wine to Dragon Phoenix Restaurant last night for a wine tasting session with my wine mates. Theme of the evening: Wines from America.
Bottle breathed for 8 hours. Integration was very nicely done. Purplish in colour with notes of plums, earthiness, spices and a lush and sweet mid-palate.
A blend of 38% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache, 26% Syrah and 6% Counoise, the wine is complex with the different grapes providing different dimensions to the drinking experience, yet simple enough to be enjoyed with or without food.
Highly enjoyable at its current stage and do give it sufficient air to bring out the best in the wine.
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i love tablas creek, but i hate to say it - was kind of boring. i noted 7 years ago (7 - already?!) that the 08 was my lease favorite esprit, and i had hoped time would transform it, but it still just tasted flat. like it was lacking acidity or structure or just some kind of oomph. it's drinking fine, it's just not exciting, and there's no real reason to hold it any more (or at all)
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Aging nicely, and needs decanting time. More restrained than the 09 and 11 versions. Good berry/cherry fruit emerges with time in glass, and some leafiness as well. A bit of tobacco. Another great Esprit. No hurry on this one either.
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Requires a 1 -2 hour decant and continues to get better as it opens. Strong cassis flavour really enjoyable. If you like a mouth sucking wine you will really enjoy this wine.
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Drink! Enjoy now! I think this 08 is in its prime drinking window. A noticeable brick-red edge in the clear color is consistent with the warm strawberry jam flavors playing within the complex earthy notes. Very smooth and balanced finish where the cooked strawberry flavors pleasantly linger. Still full bodied and dense enough, it has carries lots of interest but probably not for long.
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Very nice wine. My prior bottle was a bit better, but this was still an excellent wine. Definitely ready to drink. If age will make this better, I will be surprised because I do not see any edges that need to smooth with time.
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From a half bottle, pop and pour. Rich, chocolatey, with licorice and bold fruit. This does drink like a somewhat modern CDP. Enjoyable, but I'm wondering if it will turn into something glorious like the real Beaucastel's do? It's possible.
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A lovely wine - medium red and tight on opening, once it opened up the nose was respondent with dark fruits and emerging tobacco and forest floor notes. Smooth, elegant and beautifully integrated, this is drinking very well now and has structure to last several years yet.
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Light red. Some berries left on the nose, but combined with more earthy notes. Mid-weight. Quite light attack on the palate, but followed but nice rounded tannins and balanced acidity. Red and black berries. Cederwood. Long taste. Beautiful mature wine.
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Previously in a dumb phase, now in a dumber phase. I doubt this will ever evolve into something that is drinkable. All in all, disappointing how quickly this wine has gone south since bottling.
I've had this three times and this was the best showing by far. More complex than a good Cotes du Rhone, approaching CndP in weight and savoriness. High proportion of Grenache in 2008. Decant and air for a couple of hours, it really comes back to life. Black plum, mint, dark chocolate, Umami, baked cherry-kirsch, dry rub spice, licorice. Full bodied, with decent acidity and bright but civilized tannin, showing a striving for elegance. Feels a tad syrupy but not jammy and is otherwise well balanced. 4+12+17+8
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This is as good as it gets. Penetrating and seductive, the spicy bouquet has an underlying earthiness that opens up to blackberries, currants, and creme de cassis, followed by meat, chocolate, and tobacco. The palate is open, integrated, and inviting. It's beautifully balanced and structured, flaunting marvelous vinosity, depth, and complexity, closing with fine grained tannin on the long, earthy finish. Rich, sumptuous, and sexy. A beautiful wine.
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I was bit worried when I read the other notes that this wine had been too long in the cellar, but that was allayed upon our pnp tasting. Earthy, dark fruit to the nose, body was still rounded fruit wrapped in firm tannins. Some umami type notes--meats. Good acid balance. As the bottle was drunk the tannins tightened a bit and shortened the medium to long finish so i think a few more years actually will round out this wine.
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In a good place. Nose of cherries, berries and other dark fruits, a touch of earth. Taste of dark fruit leather and a touch of licorice. Good tannin and acidity levels. Medium tasty finish.
Drink or hold.
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Notes after following for a day open. Color is garnet heading into brown, about 70% opaque with very minor sediment. Aroma is a bit lacquered and oxidative, hanging on to florals while the fruit is slipping away. The palate is mature and smooth with fully resolved tannins presenting a nice glycerin feel, but the fruit won't be much longer for this world. I can't imagine this is going to see a dumb phase like it's French counterparts.. I think it is just heading over the hill and needs to be consumed in the near future. The CT drink window is much too optimistic (and the Galloni window even worse) judging by my experience from my first bottle in January to this example. Both bottles had perfect storage conditions all along, yet the dropoff in a mere 5 months is substantial. 4+10+17+6 = 87
Started out very very strong (92) when I PnP'd it, but then completely fell apart after a very short time--maybe 20 minutes--of being open (to a 89). I expected more life in this. Either this bottle was slightly bad, or this wine has a shorter life span than expected.
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Evolved wonderfully over 4 hours. No need to decant to enjoy a diverse evolving profile if you have the time. Grenache was still bright at the end. Still has some years in it I believe, but an excellent Esprit right now.
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Enjoyed this with a group of friends along with an 05 and a 12, all esprit so. Very nice work TC! The 08 is the spiciest of the three,with the syrah showing itself the most.
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taking on a rusty aged color; some cinnamon, soy, chocolate but little fruit to speak of; mildly corked or past its prime; have had different (and better) experiences with younger bottles of this wine
Slow-oxed for about 2 hours. The wine was open and inviting, and confirmed the "fully mature" note on the TC vintage chart. Had alongside a P. Lesec Cuvee Bargeton CdP '06 (with Easter loin of lamb) and the difference between old world and new was evident to everyone. Here, the berry fruits were front and center, with just enough acidity, but with only hints at the complexity of the Bargeton. Probably has five years (or more) ahead of it.
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Really enjoying this excellent Tablas Esprit de Beaucastel! Really dark, chewy berry fruit on the nose with some savoriness. Loads of ripe, crushed black cherry, notes of black licorice that just go on and on, a touch of mint, and a bit of freshly tanned leather. There are well resolved, fine tannins, tongue coating viscosity, medium plus acidity and a medium long finish.
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Notes after slow-O for a day. Shiny, medium ruby color with no sediment. Nicely focused currant and licorice bouquet with minor notes of underbrush, flowers, and Sharpie. Palate is perfectly ready and willing, generous with acidity and soft tannins. The flavor is fresh and deeply complex. Long, slightly grippy, and slightly sweet finish. 5+12+17+7= 91
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Drinking very well right now, I was surprised there was as much youth in at this point. It really was in an interesting place, clearly showing aged characteristics while retaining some youthful fruit; bramble and dusty earth. Tannins was well integrated, softening. Paired well with grilled hanger steak.
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Tasted at the winery. Healthy bricking red. Opens with an oxidized note that recedes after the rest of the wine wakes up, so do not hesitate to decant and let it breathe an hour or two. Mature nose of plums, figs, soy, and Asian spices (star anise, cardamom, cinnamon, roasted cumin). Illustrates the way a wine can evolve a savory, umami profile. Still youthful palate with good length. It paired brilliantly with chicken braised in a rich and tangy broth of veal/mushroom stock, served with risotto, fresh herbs and enoki mushrooms.
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Decanted 1 hr. A very enjoyable wine that is still extruding its youthfulness with dark jammy fruit on the attack, which melds into a brambly soft mid-palate with cedar, black pepper and raisens. The soft tannic finish is smooth and lengthy. Will improve over the next 5+ years.
@ 2 hrs: This wine went incredibly well with our marinated pork chops and sweet potatoes. The jamminess of the fruit went away with the food and the wine achieved a greater balance, exhibiting the enjoyable granache spices.
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Cooked aroma. On the palate there was abundant evidence of quality, Burgundian output of ripe fruit with firm but mellowed tannin, and secondary/tertiary notes of purity and focus. One of three bottles in my cellar. This one was purchased from a local retailer in 2012, the other two, waiting in place, direct from the winery.
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Dark and brooding, this needs copious aeration to unlock the wonderful black fruits within. Large notes of plums, black raspberry, Creme de cocoa, fresh brewed espresso and roasted hazelnut. The wine evolves slowly in the decanter and the last sip is the best. Needs 5 years in the cellar.
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I own half-bottles and normal bottles of this, and the half bottles have tasted better, even 5 years ago. A different vat? This is reminiscent of a decent quality earthy CDP.
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Vin soyeux et ample, un peu trop bombe de fruit en ce moment, style nouveau-monde. Nez sur les fruits et la vamille. En bouche, le fruit prend trop de place en cem oment, un peu d`épice et acidité assez basse. Finale longue et sur la chauffe, fait penser à un porto. Mieux que le 2006 mais moins équilibré que 2007 en ce moment.
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I also just opened the 2008 Esprit de Beaucastel the other day and paid a $30 corkage fee to have this at a DineLA restaurant week dinner at Craft in Century City and it was great with the quail main entree. The wine is most likely at its peak and will probably maintain for several years. The sommelier also loved it. On a Tablas Creek vertical tasting as discussed on their blog they indicated that the 2008 was their favorite of the older vintages. I notice that over 1300 people on cellar tracker are still holding with almost 800 consumed.
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PnP'd and enjoyed over the following 2+ hours. This wine was at its best within about 1 hour from opening. After that, it wasn't as complex and didn't have the energy.
A rich intriguing nose of blackberries, raspberries, leather and meat juices following to a great mouth of raspberries and leather. A really nice wine with great weight and energy.
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W venison stew. Jenny and Rudy for dinner. Esprit was a good choice. Had it next to the 2005. This was very good but not as developed and multiversed like the 2005. Good fruit, more powerful nose than the 05 but on the palate this was more juicy. Good finish in both wines. This will live for at least 5 more yrs.
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Lots of sweet candied fruit on the nose but in a funky, charming kinda rhone-ish way. With sophistication I guess I would say. Glad I waited, its really in a prime spot right now.
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The wine looks crimson colored. The legs are medium. There is moderate sediment in the bottle. It tastes like black currant (cassis) and blackberry. The body is medium/full. The wine has silky texture. The wine finishes long. An excellent wine.
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Showed well at cellar temperature, though nothing I would seek out. not quite enough freshness, though good Rhone fruit flavor, not flabby by any stretch.
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Drank from a 375. Cork looked great, but the wine tastes partially oxidated. Very port-like, though with hints of a fresh GSM underneath. I can't venture a rating for this bottle.
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38% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 26% Syrah, 6% Counoise. wow, sweet fruit all over this!! confected red berry aromas. raspberry, dark cherry. fabulously engaging sweet red fruit nose. WOW. There is an earthy note along with this big fruit. big juicy fruit, some green leafy elements come through on the palate. Starting to move away from being totally primary. with green and brown leaf elements emerging. medium tannin. still has a herb whisper.
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Two hour decant. Full garnet color. Developed aromas of lavender, garrigue, boysenberry and blueberry, with some heat. Course and tight on opening, it opens quickly with air, showing silky polished firm tannins and medium+ acid on the palate, with ripe blue fruits along with dried herb, dark florals, chalky minerality and hints of black tea and spice. Fleshy on the mid-palate with a full and juicy finish. Very nice now, but I'd recommend a bit longer in the cellar.
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2 hour decant. Despite their claims that this is styled after an authentic old world CDP, I do not get that at all on this 6 year old bottle. To me, it drinks like what it is, a Rhone blend from Paso Robles. I've had better experiences with older bottles, so I will hold my remaining bottles for awhile.
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Very nice Rhone Blend, you do experience the california sunshine in a glass, just bursting in the fruit forward style, but also very balanced and pleasing, was decanted
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Color: light/medium translucent ruby -> light ruby rim; more an appearance of pinot noir than a Paso GSM. Nice, if a little light bouquet of strawberries, cranberries, spice and a little earth. Bright, lively red-fruited palate really showcasing the Grenache aspect of this blend (even though at 30% it is second to the 38% Mourvedre component). Quite honestly, comes across as more Pinot than Rhone. Interesting and quite food-friendly, no doubt due to the excellent acidity. Ethereal but light and I'm wondering if it will develop further than this . . . .
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Dropping lots of sediment, including, it seems, depth and fruit. Thin with little finesse and oxidizing, with port or raisin-like finish after some time in the glass. Disappointing. Bad bottle or poor aging?
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There's a lot going on here, hanging on a barely medium weight frame. Those looking for a big, CA styled Rhone blend should look elsewhere, but you probably know that already. Benefited greatly from a several hour decant, which allowed it to really spread out and show the nuance of all the fruit, herbs, leather and earth here. Good acidity helps it stand up with food, and in fact food seems necessary for this wine. Bone in rib-eye was not a bad choice...
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This wine has a very nice, fruity, floral, spicy, earthy, ever-so-slightly oaky bouquet, with an emphasis on herbs and spices, dark fruit, violets, and that lovely Paso Robles earthiness/terrior.
This is a fantastic Rhone-style G-S-M/Chateauneuf-du-Pape red blend. The first thing that impresses me the most about this wine is its chalky/clay/limestone earthiness that practically jumps out of the glass. After the fabulous soil/”dirty” characteristics, wonderful red and dark fruit elements shine brightly, especially the plum, blackberry, black cherry, and raspberry flavors, followed closely by gorgeous herbs and spices (TONS of black pepper and acres of savory herbs like thyme, rosemary, sage, and lavender).
This is a wonderfully well-balanced red blend, with smooth, sweet, silky tannins, the perfect amount of oak, acidity, and alcohol, along with a gorgeous, long, lingering finish. We actually drank a half bottle (375 ml.) of 2009 Domaine du Pere Caboche Chateauneuf du Pape before we drank this Tablas Creek bottle with dinner and it was VERY interesting how closely the earthiness, fruitiness, and spiciness paralleled each other. Paso Robles shares quite a few characteristics/elements with Chateauneuf du Pape, which is exactly why Robert Haas and the Perrin family founded Tablas Creek in Paso Robles, assuming/knowing/betting-on that Paso could produce world-class “New World” versions of Chateauneuf du Pape blends along with single-varietal bottlings. Boy-oh-boy, did their homework/assumptions/research pay dividends!!!
We paired this wine with Arthur’s fabulous rack-of-lamb, encrusted with panko bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, mustard, and spices. This wine paired PERFECTLY with the lamb and would also pair well with a well-seasoned ribeye, lamb chops, prime rib, and just about any red meat dish.
Tablas Creek’s vintage chart on their website (where every wine they’ve EVER made is categorized by the wine’s drinkability (too young, early maturity, peak maturity, late maturity, closed phase (hold), and past its prime)) lists this wine as “early maturity,” meaning this wine is drinking well right now but will continue to age and mature beautifully for another 10 to 20 years (TC’s Esprit de Beaucastel and their flagship blend “Panoplie” are famous for drinking well for the first few years after bottling and then during the bottling maturity process goes though a closed/shut-down phase about 3 or 4 (or more) years after bottling). This wine does indeed have the structure/backbone to age for decades, but at 5-years-old, it’s about to enter it’s “closed/hold” phase, so either drink this wine now or assume it will be in a “closed/hold” phase for a few years and won’t be “drinkable” until 2016 or so.
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Surpricingly lightweight in an almost Burgendy style. Lots of fruit and some acidity. Tannins are soft and sweet. I tend to believe that there is even more to come.
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Bottle had about 30min of air time prior to drinking. Nice light red color looked a little more like a Pinot than a rhone. Good noise with raspberry and cherry. A lot of cherry with a little pepper on the palate. Very nicely balanced not much alcohol heat. Medium finish. Overall a very enjoyable wine but maybe a little thin and one note but still very good. If you have it a I would suggest drinking it, I'm not sure this has the body to last longer than a year or so before it starts to go down hill.
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Decanted two hours ... This is rich and plummy. Not creamy or heavy, but definitely lush and very smooth. Brambleberry and spice, with hints of mineral and earth. A lot going on and an incredibly enjoyable drinker. Really hitting its stride.
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While enjoyable, I just don't see a 90+ rating for this wine. Nice flavors though somewhat muted, almost thin, with a fairly short finish. I only let this one sit about 30 minutes after pouring and did note that the wine did improve the longer it was open. Perhaps a full decant will help with the next bottle.
From a 375, a little too much oak initially. After about an hour of calming down, with nice fruit and minerality. This drinks like a CDP. I think even these 375s need a little more time.
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I opened at 3:30 and poured into a decanter. I thought it was pretty nice right away but not great, however as the evening progressed the wine really opened up. Planned on saving the last half for the next day but by 10:30 that plan was history. One of the more enjoyable wines I have had in a while, and I have had quite a few!
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Nice berry, cherry, chocolate nose. Same favors along with pepper and oak. Nice balance. Benefits from air time. Probably will round out more in another year or so, but still very tasty now.
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The nose is superbly balanced, showing deep pure notes of mixed berries and cassis interwoven with black licorice, violets, and earthy spice. The palate is more red fruit focused with fantastic depth and purity, opening with ripe strawberry, red raspberry, and dark cherries. Vivid rose petal florals, dried green herbs, and stoney minerality arise on the mid-palate, adding to a exceptional finish of game, black pepper, worn leather, and dried berries. The wine’s structure is superlative, showcasing fresh, deep fruit with a tannic frame and lifting acidity. This has a striking balance of pure fruit and old world styling. Excellent. R&M 93
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- Crimsom color with medium forming legs. It's balanced and has flavours of prune with a medium/full body. Round texture with a medium finish - Well balanced Rhone blend. Smells of cherry, stone, plum.
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Nice deep ruby color. Dark fruit and leather on the nose. Good body with plum and spice flavors in excellent balance. The finish is a little hot but nevertheless leaves you wanting more. Great pairing with lamb chops for Easter dinner. This should only get better with a bit more time.
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Has potential but may be in a strange spot at the moment. Racing acidity and high alcohol aren't well balanced and leaves a thin, while somewhat refreshing, mouth feel. Finish is fleeting. Still, the nose is quite pretty with red fruits, herbs, and leather. Best after 2015.
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Deep cherries on the nose with hints of leather and licorice. Very smooth taste with great balance: mostly cherries, leather some spices and good smooth, finish with medium+ tannins and medium acidity, very nice. 90-91
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Truly an exceptional wine that will only improve with time. Flirty nose paired with a velvety, smooth finish with outstanding balance. Aprroachable now BUT needs a two hour decant to appreciate all the nuances in this well made wine.
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A lovely wine. The bouquet starts off with an autumn scent of leaves, apples, and spice with some raspberry and chocolate. The palate has a nice complexity with ripe dark fruit flavors, American oak, and spice. This wine has a nice lingering dry finish with similar flavors as the bouquet. A great pairing with barbecued chops.
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Wonderful blended flavors of sweet, dark cherries, flowers and spices. Wonderful perfume, juiciness and a very harmonious finish. Great balance and depth. It's layered, complex and very flavorful. Really nice!
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Light body almost pinot like visually and on the nose: red fruit with hints of dill. Fruit forward with soft tannins and good acidity. Popped and poured. Drinking well now. Very interested to see evolution over time
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The 2008 Espirt de Beaucastel has a beautiful ruby color, bursting with super-fresh blue and black fruits along with spice, floral, pepper and wet stone notes. This is really caressing on the palate with polished tannins and mouth-watering acidity keeping everything lively straight through the long juicy finish. Really exotic with a blend of 38% Mouvedre, 30% Grenache, 26% Syrah, 6% Counoise (Drink 2011-2019) - JD
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Pleasant and definitely improved with decanting. See the Tablas Creek website vintage chart that recommends when to drink all of their wines-- important since many of these go through closed phases and don't show well then.
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Tasting room pour. Drinking beautifully - highly perfumed nose of roses, candied red fruits, and twizzlers. Bright flavors of ripe red fruits, rose hips, licorice, earth, & spices. Very bright but soft and elegant - round med+ body mouthfeel with juicy acidity and silky tannins. Excellent balance and very good length. This comes accross as a bit confected, though the sweetness is kept in check. Very elegant and very tasty - a great wine that has improved over the past year. This is becoming my favorite Esprit to date.
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Very nice wine, but highly recommend that you decant this wine. Tasted sooo much better on day two, than day one. It has alot of ripe Calif fruit, raspberry, pomegranate, some hoisen/plum sauce. There are some earthy spices on the backend, like clove or allspice. Day two, this bottle was really coming into it's own. Not amazing, but has some real character. The Price is a little steep in Ohio ($60), but at the CT Avg. I would gladly pick this up.
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From 375ml. Aromas of ripe black and blue fruit, kirsch, chocolate, tobacco and baking spices. Medium-full bodied with decent acidity with slightly chewy tannins. Good length but finishes a little hot. While there is good density and complexity for a young wine, this is still not my style of wine, yet I preferred this over the 2007 which seemed to have more candied fruit rather than the ripe fruit here.
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No real notes taken. Overall a very good impression but due to the vintage it is a little hollow in the middle but otherwise true to its character. The alcohol is a little overpowering of the other flavors in the wine.
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Great wine. Very approachable now compared to 2007. Wine has dark color, rich with flavors and aromas of plums and blackberries with a bit of smoke. Really like the structure, should age well. It was great from first sip to last drops from bottle. This was favorite in tasting with 2007 L'Aventure Estate Cuvee, 2006 Caliza Companion, 2008 Villa Creek Willow Cuvee. Glad to have more bottles to drink and allow to cellar.
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So much better than the last time I had it. More integrated and actually having aromatics and fruit. Wonder what happened last bottle? Too bad they want so much for it. Best at $30.
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Tasting room pour. Cherry, fruitcake, herb, and spice notes on the nose. Beautiful silky feel on the palate with red fruit, mineral, and peppery notes. Firm-fine tannins and a long finish. A lot more to this than tasting room notes can indicate. Outstanding and should develop nicely...
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Tasting room pour. Very elegant and refined expression of what Paso is capable of. Good depth. Accessable now but with room for growth. I preferred this over the sweeter '06. Excellent
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Brought to Rye in Brooklyn and paid corkage. No formal notes takes, but remember tightly wound tart red fruit and very bright acidity. Medium weight, very elegant structure and mouth feel. Even after an hour + decant it was obvious that it's way early for this one.
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Tasted next to the 2006 at the tasting room. This wine has a little tartness of crab apple and sour cherry along with a nice forest profile of dry leaves in the fall. There was nice complexity here and I preferred it to the 2006. I think this will cellar nicely.
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Strong color. Somewhat candy-like fruit in the nose, pretty but substantial. Palate has much of the same to recommend it, although not as good as the '06 a few days ago, or on par with it's performance at the winery a month ago. 5-10-12-5: 82/100
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Tablas Creek Spring Tasting Party: Dark ruby and quite expressive like the '08 Panoplie. Medium+ body. Earthy dark fruits intertwined with some red fruits and underbrush. There was a certain "wildness" to the fruit that was very appealing. Showing early complexity. Excellent!
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38% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 26% Syrah, and 6% Counoise. Deep ruby color. Earthy black berry nose. Tastes of raspberry and cherry. Nice balance. Firm tannins. Excellent depth and complexity across the mid palate and finish.
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This was the best made ESprit De beau castle I have had from Tablas Creek so far. not as complex as I would expect but plenty here to please. One of the better cal Rhine blends that I have tasted with nice balance between balance fruit and earthiness although decidedly fruit dominant. Medium finish.
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Fruity, round and delicious in a CdP-ish way. Popped and poured, no need to decant as its absolutely ready to drink. Had as a pre-dinner accompaniment to aged goat cheese and prosciutto. Since you can get a better, bona fide CdP at a similar price, can't say it's a good value.
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I was expecting more out of this. Soft and fleshy, but not especially distinct in any particular flavor. Sort of vaguely jammy, lush, and acidic (the word "mouthwatering" was used more than once), perhaps one of the other vintages will be more my style.
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Tablas Creek at East Beach Wine (Santa Barbara, CA): 38% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 26% Syrah, 6% Counoise. Again, a massive step up from the Cotes de Tablas Rouge. Perfumed aromas with kirsch and mild gaminess. Big bodied, creamy, yet seemingly weightless. Sweet fruit, ripe tannin, medium acidity. Very pleasurable to drink now, almost seems a feminine style, though it is a large scaled, full flavored wine.
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Out of .375, popped and poured. This was intense and unmistakeably a Southern Rhone blend, but this is not my kind of wine. I found the alcohol very noticeable and the wine overdone and out of balance in general. Despite what this wine goes for, and what some of the notes find, this wine screamed New World Cali fruit bomb to me (despite some minerals and herbs de provence).
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– tasted a single glass non-blind over approx. 5 minutes – – bottle opened yesterday – – 38% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 26% Syrah, 6% Counoise –
Purple-garnet color of medium-deep depth. Nose was incredibly tight, and not giving much — minerals. Palate was also tight: jam, perfume, and minerals. Tannins were soft and drying; acidity was noticeable; well-balanced between acid and tannin. 14.5% alc. is barely noticeable on the palate (a bit prickly). Medium length finish of moderate-light to moderate intensity. Flashier than previous vintages of the same bottling, but still needs time to unwind.
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Light color with a brick rim. Medium legs. Blackberries, blueberries, currant, cassis, dark chocolate, mocha, menthol, alcohol on the nose. Thin to medium body on the palate with spice and tannins. May be young at this point. Good structure and not quite balanced as well as it could be. Dark chocolate on the palate with a lingering spicy finish. Good expression of CdP but somewhat thin for a good CdP.
Several hours later this wine is holding up very well with nice red fruit on the palate but the spice has developed as well and really kicks it up a notch. This wine is best with food, i.e. good steak, lamb, etc.
This Esprit is more reminiscent of the Beaucastel heritage CdP. Much more old world rather than new so it lacks the 'fruit forwardness' of California attempts at CdR and CdP. Worth the go if you really like French CdR and CdP. If there was one complaint it would be that it is lighter than I like my Rhones but still a well made good wine.
Day two this wine held up nicely and smoothed out tremendously indicating it definitely needs more bottle time.
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Much lighter than the '07, but a fine wine in it's own right, and perhaps a bit more "typical". This one seems more "rhone" in its character and in some ways is a more versatile, if less showy, rendition.
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A more elegant version than the '07, more like the '06, a little lighter weight though. Quite pretty with delicious fruit, a silky texture, and good length - this is an early drinking Esprit rouge. I'll drink this while waiting for the '07s
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I missed the highly rated '07, but this '08 was just smoking. Rich and lush, with a full bodied, almost unctuous mouthfeel. But it's also meaty, gamy, full of blood and guts. But there's all that fruit, too. This is a phenomenal bottle of wine, and brings Tablas Creek from the level of making some of the best, if not the best, Rhone style wines out of California, to making some of the best wines, period, out of California. Tablas also belongs to a very small group of producers creating great wines that seem to be showcasing California Terrior, instead of showcasing just California Sun. 93-95
Every year, this wine gets better and better. This seems to be a consensus opinion, as most major reviewers also seem to give each vintage ever higher marks. It's also been fun to see how this wine has transitioned over the years, as the vines get older and the winemakers change and adapt their styles. In the beginning, the wines were very rustic, often barnyardy, without a lot of fruit, and very often tannic. Then they became more clean, but still loaded with structure, prone to closing up for long periods and needing a lot of time to open up. Then, starting in '05, the wines started showing more fruit, more lushness, but still keeping the structure and beginning to show a real minerality and gaminess.
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4/6/2024 - drrobvino wrote: 84 Points
Last had a bottle of this GSM from my cellar about 3.5 yrs ago. This one has aged considerably since then, coming across as advanced and a bit OTH today, with the fruit drying up and a thin flavor profile. Perhaps an off bottle?
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2/6/2024 - JohnMcIlwain Likes this wine:
Drunk with David H with Palestinian food. Stellar bottle showing surprising youth. Fine balance and resolving structure. Lovely bottle.
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3/14/2023 - galewskj wrote: 92 Points
From a half bottle, this was a great showing for this wine. The color is light ruby, almost resembling a darker yet translucent pinot. There was some alcohol that MOSTLY blew off, although a bit remained throughout. The profile is subdued with high acidity, raspberry, cinnamon and cedar. This wine took an interesting evolution in the glass and over the years.
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1/20/2023 - AlphaMikeFoxtrot Likes this wine: 91 Points
Raspberry pie, blackberry pie, cinnamon, allspice, cedar, smoke on the nose. Flavors consistent with the aromas; and not a tertiary flavor/aromas in sight. Full bodied, medium acid, good medium tannins that show no signs of tiring.
What's crazy about this is how this doesn't taste that different from the 2018 version of the current wine (Esprit de Tablas). What the heck? Is this actually too young? I say hold on to this for 2-5 more years if you have it. It shows signs that it could get better.
Day 2 - now it tastes older - more tertiary flavors (mushrooms, old leather). The fruit is still there, though!
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11/10/2022 - galewskj wrote: 90 Points
Pop and pour, followed 2 good sized glasses over 2 hours. There was a ton of sediment, so the last glass of the bottle was filtered. Other than some pruney qualities that blew off, this was little changed over 2 hours. The wine is smooth, easy drinking and harmonious. If this was a real 2008 Beaucastel, I'd be disappointed. Qualitatively, I think its up there with Carlisle syrahs, but (maybe) a different style. This is a charming wine but not exceptional, and I don't understand the $60 to $70 prices for current releases.
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7/9/2022 - walkoffbalk Likes this wine: 95 Points
Straight out of the bottle. Surprisingly young and fruity. Bright ruby color. Best Esprit we've had in a long time.
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10/30/2021 - Wildgrant wrote:
Tart fruit to the point of being a bit sour, and we could taste the alcohol. Otherwise OK but nothing worth repeating.
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9/28/2021 - cweiss wrote:
Eastman. To me this bottle seemed on the downslope, though I didn't mind drinking it and others seemed enthusiastic.
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7/24/2021 - dankrems wrote: 94 Points
Decanted 4 hours. Excellent as others have said. Integrated with no sharp edges, balanced notes of stone, pepper, dark fruits and a faint hint of green herbs. I did not get the earthy/barnyard note others mentioned. Terrific wine, better with each hour.
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5/30/2021 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:
From magnum with H and M and the girls. Although carelessly stored since we had no more room in the cellar, this was beautiful. Classic aged GSM blend. Upfront barnyard and horse saddle, and offered up some nice fruit and black licorice on the palate. Browning at the rim, and fine sediment on the glass. So suggest a light filtering when pouring. Would easily earn a “95.” Outstanding.
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5/2/2021 - dlduchon Likes this wine: 95 Points
A bit more time has made this an exceptional wine. Amazing. Truly impressed.
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12/24/2020 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:
From magnum at Christmas Eve dinner. Beautiful. Fully integrated and showing rich black and blue fruits augmented by whiffs of barnyard and rich forest loam. Can’t imagine this getting any better. But likely will hold for another decade. Drink now to 2030. Outstanding.
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11/24/2020 - dankrems wrote: 94 Points
Four our decant. So so good. Terrific nose, balanced in the mouth. All. Of the classic GSM components.
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11/6/2020 - kkleg Likes this wine: 95 Points
Really well balanced, refined Rhone-style wine. Drinking beautifully. Perfect earthy cherry nose and palate. This is wonderful right now.
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10/1/2020 - drrobvino wrote: 93 Points
2nd bottle of 3. Last tasted 3.5 yrs ago.
This is just singing, a gorgeous montage of GSMC...grippy tannins, tight acidity, perfectly ripened black and red fruits that are supported by mint, sage, espresso grounds, and tar. Voluptuous mouthfeel, silky plums-and-spice finish that is lip-smackingly long. Drink now through 2025 or so.
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9/19/2020 - europat55 wrote: flawed
Tasted and smelled like sweet raisins.... :(
Thankfully my other bottle was fine! From 375ml.
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8/30/2020 - acidqueen wrote: 92 Points
This bottle was singing. Rich cherry fruit, menthol, earth. Slight heat, but not distracting. This is really nice. The TC Esprits are fine and consistently good.
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7/2/2020 - maxima wrote: 81 Points
Mince, rèche et sans éclat celle-ci.
Une autre bouteille similaire aux 2 précédentes.
Finale inexistante, elle fut la pire du lot jusqu`ici.
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4/23/2020 - mtwehr wrote: 90 Points
Dark nose, smokey aromas; Layerd w/Dark plum, blackberry flavors, hints of old wood, cocoa, graham cracker, bitterness in the finish. Full intense body, hollow middle, medium (+) juicy acids, medum (+) grainy, rustic tannins. Long juicy finish.
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2/4/2020 - jaumealaska wrote: 87 Points
So looking back on my note from 2016 I do think this wine or bottle is showing its age. Definitely mature with more glycerin feel than fruit and subdued nose of forest floor and earth.
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1/4/2020 - mtaczak wrote:
at first after PnP, this was gorgeous. funk and finely resolved tannin, beautifully balanced. has the curse of the 2008s lifted (see previous notes)? an hour later ... no. off-putting nose with VA and maybe a touch of brett. really great for the first 45 minutes, so pop em open and pass em around!
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12/14/2019 - yatchisin Likes this wine: 91 Points
Perhaps just on its downward slope now, still a complex, mourvedre-led Rhone blend with soul and soil and dark red fruit.
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4/17/2019 - maxima wrote: 83 Points
Similaire à l'autre bue dernièrement, un peu dépassée
son plateau, on finira les autres avant la fin de l'année
je crois!
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4/15/2019 - galewskj wrote: 89 Points
Old World from the New World (Amy & Scott's): 1 hour decant. This wine resembles a very balanced Southern Rhone of modest producer. It seems fully integrated right now, not overly youthful and not showing any signs of decline. Overall, the price of about $40 seems appropriate or just slightly high. I have seen reviewers wax poetic about this wine, and the 6 bottles I've consumed do not agree with that. One 750 and one 375 left. When to open?
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2/15/2019 - maxima wrote: 84 Points
Pas mal en fin de course, léger et assez mince,
un peu de fruit, presque pas d'acidité et court en finale.
....à boire.
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2/15/2019 - metcellar wrote: 85 Points
Didn't stand up to 11 years in the bottle
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1/1/2019 - ephorn Likes this wine: 95 Points
This has depth of flavor, balance, nuance and age ability with a lengthy finish. I might be stingy on the score as this is flawless and exciting.
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1/1/2019 - markandsusanw wrote: 88 Points
Seems like this might be past its prime; acid a bit harsh and barnyard elements rather pronounced. Nose also fading fast. Not terrible, but less interesting than it was several years ago and definitely not improving, so drink up.
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12/28/2018 - Bob in NC Likes this wine: 90 Points
Southern Rhone - Old World vs New World: This wine was spot on with the lamb chops as it had more acidity than the old world wine. Was still youthful with some jammy characteristics, great spices and a dry finish. was more elegant and smooth. This wine does not need too many more years of cellaring.
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12/23/2018 - dlduchon Likes this wine: 90 Points
Wonderful, well balanced wine and quite restrained for a Paso wine. Definitely a food wine. Aromatics a bit muted at this time.
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12/8/2018 - bmigneron Likes this wine: 90 Points
The wine looks purple colored. The legs are slow. There is light sediment in the bottle.
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9/28/2018 - CADomer Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very nice, but lacked some of the prettiness that I expect with this wine. Very well balanced and quite enjoyable though.
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9/11/2018 - eags25fla Likes this wine: 94 Points
Fantastic. Nose of plum, sweet black cherry, perfumed berries, tobacco / light tar and baking spices. Well integrated fruit, med bodied, soft and elegant with layered flavors. Great out of the bottle and even better after an hour+ in the decanter. Fantastic wine.
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9/3/2018 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 94 Points
My last of the 2008. Decanted 1-2 hours. Wow. This is as good an Esprit as I have had. Just lovely. The Mourvedre shines. I wish I had more.
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9/2/2018 - fmoehl@yahoo.com wrote: 91 Points
Shows a bit age. Still very good
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8/26/2018 - maxima wrote: 87 Points
BU au souper Ribs & reef chez Carol avec 4 amis.
Il e bien tenu le coup avec les ribs BBQ sauce bourbon.
Probalement que les côtes lui ont aidé, c`est ma bouteille
qui a le mieux paru sur les 2008 ouverts jusqu`ici!
Nez sur les herbes, les épices et les fruits rouge.
En bouche, cola, cerises et thym avec un peu de poivre et
de viande.
Les tannins sont fins et la finale longue et suave.
Très bien.
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8/1/2018 - acidqueen wrote: 91 Points
Surprisingly softer than tasting a year ago. Good earthy nose, deep black cherry fruit on nose and palate. A bit of sweet spice. Tannins are gone, so drinking well right now. Would be perfect with a bit less alcohol - 14.5% - but at this point in its evolution it doesn’t distract. I would drink this now before the alcohol dominates the fruit. Very good with meat.
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5/20/2018 - Winiac wrote: 89 Points
Round with ripe sweet fruit. Somewhat hollow mid palate. On decline, but still very drinkable and together.
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3/18/2018 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 92 Points
Fabulous GSM drinking really well now. Typical great TCV wine.
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2/18/2018 - kanowsky Likes this wine: 96 Points
Even after ten years, this is amazing. Great body, with a touch of pepper.
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1/12/2018 - Outplaying wrote:
Mint and tobacco accent the slightly sweet and ripe fruit. Enough acidity to keep it balanced. Pretty good, with the possibility of further development.
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1/5/2018 - tward wrote: 88 Points
This was a tough one to fully embrace. I liked it very much and also didn't like it so much. It had an overripe nose, baked to one taster and nearly so to me. It was well into secondary and tertiary flavors, but those were subdued. I kept getting mint and dark chocolate and baked earth and spices and it kept me coming back for more. It was like an "84" and a "90" at once. Not sure where this one is going.
[This was a library release from the winery obtained two years ago and kept in good conditions, ~65F, since then.]
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11/19/2017 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 92 Points
Great Rhone blend. Definitely consider a 2 hour decant.
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10/22/2017 - vinhonotte Likes this wine: 92 Points
Cellaraid Discovery Box; 5/19/2017-5/26/2021 (Delivered to Home): fairly high tannins, alcohol, and full body and intense; raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrant, stewed fruits, grass, pine, cedar, leather, meaty; fairly long, very good!
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10/14/2017 - tward Likes this wine: 90 Points
Drank very well with grilled steaks. Stored for 7 years in good (dark, seasonal fluctuation from upper 50s to upper 60s F), but not ideal conditions, this is ready to drink. It shows a warm vintage southern Rhone profile, nearly too ripe and intense for my taste (as many of them are these days, like most I've tasted from 2015 so far). Still very nice if lacking complexity in the middle. Plum, baking spices, burnt earth, maybe some violet. It will be interesting to compare with a library bottle I bought from Tablas two years ago that was presumably at ideal cellar conditions until then...
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10/1/2017 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is drinking really well right now. I am sure it will get better, but why wait. Lovely tones of smoke and tar, lingering finish, dark fruit. It is hard to get better than this.
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8/20/2017 - maxima wrote: 87 Points
Après une première bouchonnée, la seconde est clean mais semble avoir des notes de réduction!
Bouche sur le caoutchouc, la prune et le goudron...pas beaucoup de fruit avec une finale courte et amère.
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8/20/2017 - maxima wrote: flawed
Bouchonnée!
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7/29/2017 - christianmgriffin wrote: 89 Points
I tend to agree with a lot of the reviews I'm seeing here, it lacks body, spice, something...it's very potent and heavy while again lacking structure so a bit odd. I got this at the vineyard and at the tasting feel like I remember the 09' was more complex, to be seen...
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7/7/2017 - hankj wrote: 83 Points
this wine's low acid caught up with it - bottle was well over the hill for my taste - flat, hollow, flabby and decaying. Not a flawed bottle, stored in an ideal cellar, happy I don't have more.
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6/27/2017 - stayhappy21 wrote: 90 Points
Brought this wine to Dragon Phoenix Restaurant last night for a wine tasting session with my wine mates. Theme of the evening: Wines from America.
Bottle breathed for 8 hours. Integration was very nicely done. Purplish in colour with notes of plums, earthiness, spices and a lush and sweet mid-palate.
A blend of 38% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache, 26% Syrah and 6% Counoise, the wine is complex with the different grapes providing different dimensions to the drinking experience, yet simple enough to be enjoyed with or without food.
Highly enjoyable at its current stage and do give it sufficient air to bring out the best in the wine.
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6/11/2017 - mtaczak wrote: 88 Points
i love tablas creek, but i hate to say it - was kind of boring. i noted 7 years ago (7 - already?!) that the 08 was my lease favorite esprit, and i had hoped time would transform it, but it still just tasted flat. like it was lacking acidity or structure or just some kind of oomph. it's drinking fine, it's just not exciting, and there's no real reason to hold it any more (or at all)
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6/11/2017 - acidqueen wrote: 92 Points
Aging nicely, and needs decanting time. More restrained than the 09 and 11 versions. Good berry/cherry fruit emerges with time in glass, and some leafiness as well. A bit of tobacco. Another great Esprit. No hurry on this one either.
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5/19/2017 - Krembil93 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Requires a 1 -2 hour decant and continues to get better as it opens. Strong cassis flavour really enjoyable. If you like a mouth sucking wine you will really enjoy this wine.
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5/15/2017 - dino_mike Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drink! Enjoy now! I think this 08 is in its prime drinking window. A noticeable brick-red edge in the clear color is consistent with the warm strawberry jam flavors playing within the complex earthy notes. Very smooth and balanced finish where the cooked strawberry flavors pleasantly linger. Still full bodied and dense enough, it has carries lots of interest but probably not for long.
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5/13/2017 - CADomer Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drinking very well right now. Bright blue and red fruit abound with good weight on the palate.
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5/13/2017 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very nice wine. My prior bottle was a bit better, but this was still an excellent wine. Definitely ready to drink. If age will make this better, I will be surprised because I do not see any edges that need to smooth with time.
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5/11/2017 - galewskj wrote: 91 Points
From a half bottle, pop and pour. Rich, chocolatey, with licorice and bold fruit. This does drink like a somewhat modern CDP. Enjoyable, but I'm wondering if it will turn into something glorious like the real Beaucastel's do? It's possible.
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4/30/2017 - drrobvino wrote: 90 Points
Brought a few bottles to a party. Didn't get to try them myself, but both bottles were drained quickly with no complaints!
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4/8/2017 - Zweder wrote: 91 Points
2nd Dinner in La Mere Germaine Chateauneuf-du-Pape: In the bouquet red berries, herbs and spices. On the palate red berries, chocolate , good acidity and round tannin. Beautiful wine.
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3/31/2017 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking really well right now. I recommend a 2 hour decant.
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3/8/2017 - mattdathan Likes this wine: 92 Points
A lovely wine - medium red and tight on opening, once it opened up the nose was respondent with dark fruits and emerging tobacco and forest floor notes. Smooth, elegant and beautifully integrated, this is drinking very well now and has structure to last several years yet.
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3/7/2017 - mattdathan wrote: 95 Points
Outstanding! Drinking beautifully.
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2/27/2017 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 95 Points
This was a remarkable wine. Elegant, bing cherry. . . Side-by-side with a Villa Creek High Road 2010, the TCV was the winner and clearly better QPR.
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2/5/2017 - Neras Likes this wine: 94 Points
Light red. Some berries left on the nose, but combined with more earthy notes. Mid-weight. Quite light attack on the palate, but followed but nice rounded tannins and balanced acidity. Red and black berries. Cederwood. Long taste. Beautiful mature wine.
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12/25/2016 - lushlife wrote: 88 Points
past its prime
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11/27/2016 - Al-Vino Does not like this wine: 80 Points
Previously in a dumb phase, now in a dumber phase. I doubt this will ever evolve into something that is drinkable. All in all, disappointing how quickly this wine has gone south since bottling.
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11/24/2016 - wilypod Likes this wine: 91 Points
I've had this three times and this was the best showing by far. More complex than a good Cotes du Rhone, approaching CndP in weight and savoriness. High proportion of Grenache in 2008. Decant and air for a couple of hours, it really comes back to life. Black plum, mint, dark chocolate, Umami, baked cherry-kirsch, dry rub spice, licorice. Full bodied, with decent acidity and bright but civilized tannin, showing a striving for elegance. Feels a tad syrupy but not jammy and is otherwise well balanced. 4+12+17+8
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11/11/2016 - Baron Slick wrote: 94 Points
This is as good as it gets. Penetrating and seductive, the spicy bouquet has an underlying earthiness that opens up to blackberries, currants, and creme de cassis, followed by meat, chocolate, and tobacco. The palate is open, integrated, and inviting. It's beautifully balanced and structured, flaunting marvelous vinosity, depth, and complexity, closing with fine grained tannin on the long, earthy finish. Rich, sumptuous, and sexy. A beautiful wine.
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11/7/2016 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 91 Points
Not one of the best Esprits I have had, but pretty darn good.
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10/13/2016 - citizen1 wrote: 93 Points
Really drinking well now. Currant, spice, classic CDP.
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8/26/2016 - BobMilton Likes this wine: 94 Points
Drinking very well right now. Mix of red and dark cherries with an earthiness underneath that is just fabulous.
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7/31/2016 - jaumealaska Likes this wine: 92 Points
I was bit worried when I read the other notes that this wine had been too long in the cellar, but that was allayed upon our pnp tasting. Earthy, dark fruit to the nose, body was still rounded fruit wrapped in firm tannins. Some umami type notes--meats. Good acid balance. As the bottle was drunk the tannins tightened a bit and shortened the medium to long finish so i think a few more years actually will round out this wine.
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6/23/2016 - lanche50 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Enjoyed with carne/pollo Asada, fantastic pairing while camping... Still very jammy and fruit forward, amazing bottle.
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5/23/2016 - Blue Shorts Likes this wine: 91 Points
Popped and poured.
In a good place. Nose of cherries, berries and other dark fruits, a touch of earth. Taste of dark fruit leather and a touch of licorice. Good tannin and acidity levels. Medium tasty finish.
Drink or hold.
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5/11/2016 - fingers wrote: 87 Points
Notes after following for a day open. Color is garnet heading into brown, about 70% opaque with very minor sediment. Aroma is a bit lacquered and oxidative, hanging on to florals while the fruit is slipping away. The palate is mature and smooth with fully resolved tannins presenting a nice glycerin feel, but the fruit won't be much longer for this world. I can't imagine this is going to see a dumb phase like it's French counterparts.. I think it is just heading over the hill and needs to be consumed in the near future. The CT drink window is much too optimistic (and the Galloni window even worse) judging by my experience from my first bottle in January to this example. Both bottles had perfect storage conditions all along, yet the dropoff in a mere 5 months is substantial. 4+10+17+6 = 87
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5/6/2016 - tcarter Likes this wine: 90 Points
Started out very very strong (92) when I PnP'd it, but then completely fell apart after a very short time--maybe 20 minutes--of being open (to a 89). I expected more life in this. Either this bottle was slightly bad, or this wine has a shorter life span than expected.
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4/21/2016 - Uncle John wrote: 91 Points
Nice balance to this mid weight Cali-Rhone blend. Improved over the 2+ hours it was opened.
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4/13/2016 - mhewitt wrote: 90 Points
Good now but drink up. I'd say this has 1-2 years left. Was better when I drank 2 years ago. Stored at 55 degrees since purchase.
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4/4/2016 - Babik Likes this wine: 93 Points
Evolved wonderfully over 4 hours. No need to decant to enjoy a diverse evolving profile if you have the time. Grenache was still bright at the end. Still has some years in it I believe, but an excellent Esprit right now.
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4/2/2016 - bobdameron wrote: 93 Points
Enjoyed this with a group of friends along with an 05 and a 12, all esprit so. Very nice work TC! The 08 is the spiciest of the three,with the syrah showing itself the most.
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4/1/2016 - JSPuskar wrote: 90 Points
Delicious. Good mouth-filling sensation. Smooth, medium body of red fruit and slight spice. This wine has held up well.
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4/1/2016 - bklynwine wrote:
taking on a rusty aged color; some cinnamon, soy, chocolate but little fruit to speak of; mildly corked or past its prime; have had different (and better) experiences with younger bottles of this wine
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3/27/2016 - VlgJeff wrote: 90 Points
Slow-oxed for about 2 hours. The wine was open and inviting, and confirmed the "fully mature" note on the TC vintage chart. Had alongside a P. Lesec Cuvee Bargeton CdP '06 (with Easter loin of lamb) and the difference between old world and new was evident to everyone. Here, the berry fruits were front and center, with just enough acidity, but with only hints at the complexity of the Bargeton. Probably has five years (or more) ahead of it.
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3/27/2016 - Neras Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wow. Wonderful showing. Drinking mature and very lovely.
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2/28/2016 - vin0vin0 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Really enjoying this excellent Tablas Esprit de Beaucastel! Really dark, chewy berry fruit on the nose with some savoriness. Loads of ripe, crushed black cherry, notes of black licorice that just go on and on, a touch of mint, and a bit of freshly tanned leather. There are well resolved, fine tannins, tongue coating viscosity, medium plus acidity and a medium long finish.
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2/22/2016 - EricDilda Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nice Rhone varietal with earth tones balanced by new world brightness
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1/1/2016 - fingers Likes this wine: 91 Points
Notes after slow-O for a day. Shiny, medium ruby color with no sediment. Nicely focused currant and licorice bouquet with minor notes of underbrush, flowers, and Sharpie. Palate is perfectly ready and willing, generous with acidity and soft tannins. The flavor is fresh and deeply complex. Long, slightly grippy, and slightly sweet finish. 5+12+17+7= 91
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12/22/2015 - tward Likes this wine: 90 Points
Drinking very well right now, I was surprised there was as much youth in at this point. It really was in an interesting place, clearly showing aged characteristics while retaining some youthful fruit; bramble and dusty earth. Tannins was well integrated, softening. Paired well with grilled hanger steak.
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12/21/2015 - wjochim wrote: flawed
Bottle was corked. So disappointed.
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12/6/2015 - wilypod Likes this wine: 90 Points
Tasted at the winery. Healthy bricking red. Opens with an oxidized note that recedes after the rest of the wine wakes up, so do not hesitate to decant and let it breathe an hour or two. Mature nose of plums, figs, soy, and Asian spices (star anise, cardamom, cinnamon, roasted cumin). Illustrates the way a wine can evolve a savory, umami profile. Still youthful palate with good length. It paired brilliantly with chicken braised in a rich and tangy broth of veal/mushroom stock, served with risotto, fresh herbs and enoki mushrooms.
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12/3/2015 - Bob in NC Likes this wine: 90 Points
Decanted 1 hr. A very enjoyable wine that is still extruding its youthfulness with dark jammy fruit on the attack, which melds into a brambly soft mid-palate with cedar, black pepper and raisens. The soft tannic finish is smooth and lengthy. Will improve over the next 5+ years.
@ 2 hrs: This wine went incredibly well with our marinated pork chops and sweet potatoes. The jamminess of the fruit went away with the food and the wine achieved a greater balance, exhibiting the enjoyable granache spices.
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11/22/2015 - lanche50 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Fabulous, had this wine with pulled pork and or paired perfectly.
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11/21/2015 - wilypod wrote: flawed
Cooked aroma. On the palate there was abundant evidence of quality, Burgundian output of ripe fruit with firm but mellowed tannin, and secondary/tertiary notes of purity and focus. One of three bottles in my cellar. This one was purchased from a local retailer in 2012, the other two, waiting in place, direct from the winery.
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11/21/2015 - Vinomarcus Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dark and brooding, this needs copious aeration to unlock the wonderful black fruits within. Large notes of plums, black raspberry, Creme de cocoa, fresh brewed espresso and roasted hazelnut. The wine evolves slowly in the decanter and the last sip is the best. Needs 5 years in the cellar.
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11/14/2015 - mattdathan Likes this wine: 93 Points
Big and bold, with elegance and length - a classic Tablas!
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10/18/2015 - pomelo wrote: 92 Points
toujours aussi délicieux.
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10/13/2015 - Neras Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking very well now. Nice fruit and soft tannins. Very enjoyable.
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10/11/2015 - Surfdoc wrote: 90 Points
Soft, dry dark berries with light-med body, medium tannins and some cedar on the finish.
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9/13/2015 - galewskj wrote: 89 Points
I own half-bottles and normal bottles of this, and the half bottles have tasted better, even 5 years ago. A different vat? This is reminiscent of a decent quality earthy CDP.
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8/8/2015 - maxima wrote: 88 Points
Vin soyeux et ample, un peu trop bombe de fruit en ce moment, style nouveau-monde.
Nez sur les fruits et la vamille.
En bouche, le fruit prend trop de place en cem oment, un peu d`épice et acidité assez basse. Finale longue et sur la chauffe, fait penser à un porto.
Mieux que le 2006 mais moins équilibré que 2007 en ce moment.
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8/8/2015 - pomelo wrote: 92 Points
Tout à fait rhodanien comme style. très bon. à revoir dans 2 ou 3 ans.
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7/20/2015 - Trekntravel Likes this wine: 92 Points
I also just opened the 2008 Esprit de Beaucastel the other day and paid a $30 corkage fee to have this at a DineLA restaurant week dinner at Craft in Century City and it was great with the quail main entree. The wine is most likely at its peak and will probably maintain for several years. The sommelier also loved it. On a Tablas Creek vertical tasting as discussed on their blog they indicated that the 2008 was their favorite of the older vintages. I notice that over 1300 people on cellar tracker are still holding with almost 800 consumed.
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7/19/2015 - jk@kttlaw.com Likes this wine: 93 Points
don't understand the earlier, low ratings. This is an excellent example of Rhone Ranger at its prime. Tablas Creek got it right with this one.
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6/24/2015 - doctor wine Likes this wine: 90 Points
drank at home party
blinded
some could got GSM right
fruit forward, easy, pleasant
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6/8/2015 - CRAUBER4242 Likes this wine: 93 Points
PnP'd and enjoyed over the following 2+ hours. This wine was at its best within about 1 hour from opening. After that, it wasn't as complex and didn't have the energy.
A rich intriguing nose of blackberries, raspberries, leather and meat juices following to a great mouth of raspberries and leather. A really nice wine with great weight and energy.
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3/15/2015 - MichielV wrote: 90 Points
W venison stew. Jenny and Rudy for dinner. Esprit was a good choice. Had it next to the 2005. This was very good but not as developed and multiversed like the 2005. Good fruit, more powerful nose than the 05 but on the palate this was more juicy. Good finish in both wines. This will live for at least 5 more yrs.
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3/15/2015 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Lots of sweet candied fruit on the nose but in a funky, charming kinda rhone-ish way. With sophistication I guess I would say. Glad I waited, its really in a prime spot right now.
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3/14/2015 - esrangers wrote: 92 Points
The wine looks crimson colored. The legs are medium. There is moderate sediment in the bottle. It tastes like black currant (cassis) and blackberry. The body is medium/full. The wine has silky texture. The wine finishes long. An excellent wine.
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2/15/2015 - Janstan Likes this wine: 91 Points
dark fruits, big wine,
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1/11/2015 - Robert Pavlovich wrote:
Showed well at cellar temperature, though nothing I would seek out. not quite enough freshness, though good Rhone fruit flavor, not flabby by any stretch.
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12/25/2014 - jdinkin1 wrote: 93 Points
Complex well structured wine. Soft tannins. Nice dark fruit. Excellent with Christmas goose. Could hold up for 5 years or so I would think
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11/27/2014 - bruce.lovett@yahoo.com Likes this wine: 92 Points
We thought this was a superior wine. Better than 2005 and 2009 vintages which we tasted the same night. Very berry.
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11/22/2014 - mhewitt wrote: 91 Points
Good wine. Nice focus and exceptional length.
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11/9/2014 - TheFoodieTraveler wrote: 88 Points
A bit more flabby and hot than I expected. Worried it doesn't haven't the structure to keep aging much longer.
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10/11/2014 - Quarked wrote:
Drank from a 375. Cork looked great, but the wine tastes partially oxidated. Very port-like, though with hints of a fresh GSM underneath. I can't venture a rating for this bottle.
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10/10/2014 - nzinkgraf wrote:
38% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 26% Syrah, 6% Counoise.
wow, sweet fruit all over this!!
confected red berry aromas. raspberry, dark cherry. fabulously engaging sweet red fruit nose. WOW. There is an earthy note along with this big fruit. big juicy fruit, some green leafy elements come through on the palate. Starting to move away from being totally primary. with green and brown leaf elements emerging. medium tannin. still has a herb whisper.
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7/20/2014 - as4beatles wrote: 91 Points
Very flavorful with a great finish. Opened up slowly so you must wait for the fullness to arrive.
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6/28/2014 - richardkim wrote: 93 Points
Raspberry, blackberry, strawberry, red licorice. All in a restrained, elegant style with well balanced tannins. At peak.
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6/11/2014 - Janstan wrote: 83 Points
Hot which overpowered all else which was in limited supply. Very unimpressed, especially considering the ratings
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6/7/2014 - Al-Vino wrote: 88 Points
No amount of oxygen brought this wine back to life. Odd. Hopefully it's just in a dumb phase right now and will bounce back.
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5/10/2014 - MattMauldin wrote: 91 Points
Two hour decant. Full garnet color. Developed aromas of lavender, garrigue, boysenberry and blueberry, with some heat. Course and tight on opening, it opens quickly with air, showing silky polished firm tannins and medium+ acid on the palate, with ripe blue fruits along with dried herb, dark florals, chalky minerality and hints of black tea and spice. Fleshy on the mid-palate with a full and juicy finish. Very nice now, but I'd recommend a bit longer in the cellar.
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2/23/2014 - galewskj wrote: 88 Points
2 hour decant. Despite their claims that this is styled after an authentic old world CDP, I do not get that at all on this 6 year old bottle. To me, it drinks like what it is, a Rhone blend from Paso Robles. I've had better experiences with older bottles, so I will hold my remaining bottles for awhile.
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2/9/2014 - Weston3220 wrote: 90 Points
Very nice Rhone Blend, you do experience the california sunshine in a glass, just bursting in the fruit forward style, but also very balanced and pleasing, was decanted
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11/30/2013 - wynnewood500 Likes this wine:
Friendly tannins complimented by dark fruits. Quite delicious and young.
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11/23/2013 - BVal wrote: 89 Points
Color: light/medium translucent ruby -> light ruby rim; more an appearance of pinot noir than a Paso GSM. Nice, if a little light bouquet of strawberries, cranberries, spice and a little earth. Bright, lively red-fruited palate really showcasing the Grenache aspect of this blend (even though at 30% it is second to the 38% Mourvedre component). Quite honestly, comes across as more Pinot than Rhone. Interesting and quite food-friendly, no doubt due to the excellent acidity. Ethereal but light and I'm wondering if it will develop further than this . . . .
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10/25/2013 - marshalc Does not like this wine: 83 Points
Dropping lots of sediment, including, it seems, depth and fruit. Thin with little finesse and oxidizing, with port or raisin-like finish after some time in the glass. Disappointing. Bad bottle or poor aging?
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9/18/2013 - stubbie999 Likes this wine:
There's a lot going on here, hanging on a barely medium weight frame. Those looking for a big, CA styled Rhone blend should look elsewhere, but you probably know that already. Benefited greatly from a several hour decant, which allowed it to really spread out and show the nuance of all the fruit, herbs, leather and earth here. Good acidity helps it stand up with food, and in fact food seems necessary for this wine. Bone in rib-eye was not a bad choice...
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8/23/2013 - mat600 Does not like this wine: 80 Points
Deuxième bouteille, deuxième déception. Alcool avec un équilibre qui n'est pas très bon. Fruit cuit...
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7/17/2013 - Chriskrueger wrote: 91 Points
Minerals
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6/9/2013 - DaveZack Likes this wine: 92 Points
This wine has a very nice, fruity, floral, spicy, earthy, ever-so-slightly oaky bouquet, with an emphasis on herbs and spices, dark fruit, violets, and that lovely Paso Robles earthiness/terrior.
This is a fantastic Rhone-style G-S-M/Chateauneuf-du-Pape red blend. The first thing that impresses me the most about this wine is its chalky/clay/limestone earthiness that practically jumps out of the glass. After the fabulous soil/”dirty” characteristics, wonderful red and dark fruit elements shine brightly, especially the plum, blackberry, black cherry, and raspberry flavors, followed closely by gorgeous herbs and spices (TONS of black pepper and acres of savory herbs like thyme, rosemary, sage, and lavender).
This is a wonderfully well-balanced red blend, with smooth, sweet, silky tannins, the perfect amount of oak, acidity, and alcohol, along with a gorgeous, long, lingering finish. We actually drank a half bottle (375 ml.) of 2009 Domaine du Pere Caboche Chateauneuf du Pape before we drank this Tablas Creek bottle with dinner and it was VERY interesting how closely the earthiness, fruitiness, and spiciness paralleled each other. Paso Robles shares quite a few characteristics/elements with Chateauneuf du Pape, which is exactly why Robert Haas and the Perrin family founded Tablas Creek in Paso Robles, assuming/knowing/betting-on that Paso could produce world-class “New World” versions of Chateauneuf du Pape blends along with single-varietal bottlings. Boy-oh-boy, did their homework/assumptions/research pay dividends!!!
We paired this wine with Arthur’s fabulous rack-of-lamb, encrusted with panko bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, mustard, and spices. This wine paired PERFECTLY with the lamb and would also pair well with a well-seasoned ribeye, lamb chops, prime rib, and just about any red meat dish.
Tablas Creek’s vintage chart on their website (where every wine they’ve EVER made is categorized by the wine’s drinkability (too young, early maturity, peak maturity, late maturity, closed phase (hold), and past its prime)) lists this wine as “early maturity,” meaning this wine is drinking well right now but will continue to age and mature beautifully for another 10 to 20 years (TC’s Esprit de Beaucastel and their flagship blend “Panoplie” are famous for drinking well for the first few years after bottling and then during the bottling maturity process goes though a closed/shut-down phase about 3 or 4 (or more) years after bottling). This wine does indeed have the structure/backbone to age for decades, but at 5-years-old, it’s about to enter it’s “closed/hold” phase, so either drink this wine now or assume it will be in a “closed/hold” phase for a few years and won’t be “drinkable” until 2016 or so.
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6/9/2013 - Neras Likes this wine: 92 Points
Surpricingly lightweight in an almost Burgendy style. Lots of fruit and some acidity. Tannins are soft and sweet. I tend to believe that there is even more to come.
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5/27/2013 - RLP805 wrote: 90 Points
Bottle had about 30min of air time prior to drinking. Nice light red color looked a little more like a Pinot than a rhone. Good noise with raspberry and cherry. A lot of cherry with a little pepper on the palate. Very nicely balanced not much alcohol heat. Medium finish. Overall a very enjoyable wine but maybe a little thin and one note but still very good. If you have it a I would suggest drinking it, I'm not sure this has the body to last longer than a year or so before it starts to go down hill.
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5/25/2013 - markandsusanw Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted two hours ... This is rich and plummy. Not creamy or heavy, but definitely lush and very smooth. Brambleberry and spice, with hints of mineral and earth. A lot going on and an incredibly enjoyable drinker. Really hitting its stride.
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4/28/2013 - The Wine Write wrote: 89 Points
Popped and poured. Translucent crimson hue. Bright red fruit nose. Medium body. Finished with a tart note, which was a drawback.
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4/16/2013 - Fur in the glass Likes this wine:
good silky spice
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1/21/2013 - que syrah syrah wrote: 87 Points
While enjoyable, I just don't see a 90+ rating for this wine. Nice flavors though somewhat muted, almost thin, with a fairly short finish. I only let this one sit about 30 minutes after pouring and did note that the wine did improve the longer it was open. Perhaps a full decant will help with the next bottle.
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1/18/2013 - wineberg wrote: flawed
Wine Night 1/18/13: Bottle slightly corked
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12/19/2012 - galewskj wrote: 89 Points
From a 375, a little too much oak initially. After about an hour of calming down, with nice fruit and minerality. This drinks like a CDP. I think even these 375s need a little more time.
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9/2/2012 - Pbuschur Likes this wine: 93 Points
I opened at 3:30 and poured into a decanter. I thought it was pretty nice right away but not great, however as the evening progressed the wine really opened up. Planned on saving the last half for the next day but by 10:30 that plan was history. One of the more enjoyable wines I have had in a while, and I have had quite a few!
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7/7/2012 - budh wrote: 92 Points
Nice berry, cherry, chocolate nose. Same favors along with pepper and oak. Nice balance. Benefits from air time. Probably will round out more in another year or so, but still very tasty now.
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7/5/2012 - Rob and Meg wrote: 93 Points
The nose is superbly balanced, showing deep pure notes of mixed berries and cassis interwoven with black licorice, violets, and earthy spice. The palate is more red fruit focused with fantastic depth and purity, opening with ripe strawberry, red raspberry, and dark cherries. Vivid rose petal florals, dried green herbs, and stoney minerality arise on the mid-palate, adding to a exceptional finish of game, black pepper, worn leather, and dried berries. The wine’s structure is superlative, showcasing fresh, deep fruit with a tannic frame and lifting acidity. This has a striking balance of pure fruit and old world styling. Excellent. R&M 93
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6/21/2012 - Bluefathom wrote: 91 Points
- Crimsom color with medium forming legs. It's balanced and has flavours of prune with a medium/full body. Round texture with a medium finish - Well balanced Rhone blend. Smells of cherry, stone, plum.
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6/16/2012 - aaronwine wrote: 92 Points
Impressive. Had half bottle at restaurant. Drinking very nicely. Opened up in glass and continued to improve over 90 minute period.
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4/8/2012 - schwank wrote: 91 Points
Nice deep ruby color. Dark fruit and leather on the nose. Good body with plum and spice flavors in excellent balance. The finish is a little hot but nevertheless leaves you wanting more. Great pairing with lamb chops for Easter dinner. This should only get better with a bit more time.
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4/6/2012 - matthyson wrote: 87 Points
Has potential but may be in a strange spot at the moment. Racing acidity and high alcohol aren't well balanced and leaves a thin, while somewhat refreshing, mouth feel. Finish is fleeting. Still, the nose is quite pretty with red fruits, herbs, and leather. Best after 2015.
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4/1/2012 - dke wrote: 91 Points
Deep cherries on the nose with hints of leather and licorice. Very smooth taste with great balance: mostly cherries, leather some spices and good smooth, finish with medium+ tannins and medium acidity, very nice. 90-91
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2/20/2012 - Al-Vino wrote: 92 Points
Truly an exceptional wine that will only improve with time. Flirty nose paired with a velvety, smooth finish with outstanding balance. Aprroachable now BUT needs a two hour decant to appreciate all the nuances in this well made wine.
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2/19/2012 - bbeissler wrote: 93 Points
A lovely wine. The bouquet starts off with an autumn scent of leaves, apples, and spice with some raspberry and chocolate. The palate has a nice complexity with ripe dark fruit flavors, American oak, and spice. This wine has a nice lingering dry finish with similar flavors as the bouquet. A great pairing with barbecued chops.
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1/26/2012 - Blue Shorts wrote: 91 Points
Aging well. Same notes as before. Excellent. Needs 2 hours of air now.
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1/7/2012 - vegasoenophile wrote: 94 Points
Wonderful blended flavors of sweet, dark cherries, flowers and spices. Wonderful perfume, juiciness and a very harmonious finish. Great balance and depth. It's layered, complex and very flavorful. Really nice!
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12/16/2011 - pdyin1 wrote: 92 Points
Light body almost pinot like visually and on the nose: red fruit with hints of dill. Fruit forward with soft tannins and good acidity. Popped and poured. Drinking well now. Very interested to see evolution over time
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12/7/2011 - InternationalWineReport wrote: 93 Points
The 2008 Espirt de Beaucastel has a beautiful ruby color, bursting with super-fresh blue and black fruits along with spice, floral, pepper and wet stone notes. This is really caressing on the palate with polished tannins and mouth-watering acidity keeping everything lively straight through the long juicy finish. Really exotic with a blend of 38% Mouvedre, 30% Grenache, 26% Syrah, 6% Counoise (Drink 2011-2019) - JD
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12/3/2011 - smcg wrote: 90 Points
Pleasant and definitely improved with decanting. See the Tablas Creek website vintage chart that recommends when to drink all of their wines-- important since many of these go through closed phases and don't show well then.
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10/8/2011 - Redguy wrote: 93 Points
Tasting room pour. Drinking beautifully - highly perfumed nose of roses, candied red fruits, and twizzlers. Bright flavors of ripe red fruits, rose hips, licorice, earth, & spices. Very bright but soft and elegant - round med+ body mouthfeel with juicy acidity and silky tannins. Excellent balance and very good length. This comes accross as a bit confected, though the sweetness is kept in check. Very elegant and very tasty - a great wine that has improved over the past year. This is becoming my favorite Esprit to date.
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10/2/2011 - mpricher wrote: 91 Points
Very nice wine, but highly recommend that you decant this wine. Tasted sooo much better on day two, than day one. It has alot of ripe Calif fruit, raspberry, pomegranate, some hoisen/plum sauce. There are some earthy spices on the backend, like clove or allspice. Day two, this bottle was really coming into it's own. Not amazing, but has some real character. The Price is a little steep in Ohio ($60), but at the CT Avg. I would gladly pick this up.
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9/25/2011 - Wineplease wrote: 92 Points
Popped and pour. Medium body, soft tannin. Showing nice aroma of black fruit. Nice acidity. Definitely taste better than a year ago.
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8/10/2011 - wickedwax wrote:
From 375ml. Aromas of ripe black and blue fruit, kirsch, chocolate, tobacco and baking spices. Medium-full bodied with decent acidity with slightly chewy tannins. Good length but finishes a little hot. While there is good density and complexity for a young wine, this is still not my style of wine, yet I preferred this over the 2007 which seemed to have more candied fruit rather than the ripe fruit here.
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6/27/2011 - canan wrote: 92 Points
No real notes taken.
Overall a very good impression but due to the vintage it is a little hollow in the middle but otherwise true to its character.
The alcohol is a little overpowering of the other flavors in the wine.
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6/25/2011 - Azbearoh wrote: 94 Points
Great wine. Very approachable now compared to 2007. Wine has dark color, rich with flavors and aromas of plums and blackberries with a bit of smoke. Really like the structure, should age well. It was great from first sip to last drops from bottle. This was favorite in tasting with 2007 L'Aventure Estate Cuvee, 2006 Caliza Companion, 2008 Villa Creek Willow Cuvee. Glad to have more bottles to drink and allow to cellar.
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6/11/2011 - hubas wrote: 88 Points
Less aromatic than the 06 some liqurice and almost a sweet fruit feel to it
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6/4/2011 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
So much better than the last time I had it. More integrated and actually having aromatics and fruit. Wonder what happened last bottle? Too bad they want so much for it. Best at $30.
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5/25/2011 - MattMauldin wrote: 92 Points
Tasting room pour. Cherry, fruitcake, herb, and spice notes on the nose. Beautiful silky feel on the palate with red fruit, mineral, and peppery notes. Firm-fine tannins and a long finish. A lot more to this than tasting room notes can indicate. Outstanding and should develop nicely...
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5/15/2011 - Redguy wrote:
Tasting room pour. Very elegant and refined expression of what Paso is capable of. Good depth. Accessable now but with room for growth. I preferred this over the sweeter '06. Excellent
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5/12/2011 - Joshiemac Likes this wine: 90 Points
Brought to Rye in Brooklyn and paid corkage. No formal notes takes, but remember tightly wound tart red fruit and very bright acidity. Medium weight, very elegant structure and mouth feel. Even after an hour + decant it was obvious that it's way early for this one.
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4/19/2011 - Grenik wrote: 90 Points
Tasted next to the 2006 at the tasting room. This wine has a little tartness of crab apple and sour cherry along with a nice forest profile of dry leaves in the fall. There was nice complexity here and I preferred it to the 2006. I think this will cellar nicely.
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4/14/2011 - MicklethePickle wrote: 82 Points
Strong color. Somewhat candy-like fruit in the nose, pretty but substantial. Palate has much of the same to recommend it, although not as good as the '06 a few days ago, or on par with it's performance at the winery a month ago. 5-10-12-5: 82/100
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4/3/2011 - Redguy wrote: 92 Points
Tablas Creek Spring Tasting Party: Dark ruby and quite expressive like the '08 Panoplie. Medium+ body. Earthy dark fruits intertwined with some red fruits and underbrush. There was a certain "wildness" to the fruit that was very appealing. Showing early complexity. Excellent!
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3/29/2011 - kstoddard Likes this wine: 93 Points
38% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 26% Syrah, and 6% Counoise. Deep ruby color. Earthy black berry nose. Tastes of raspberry and cherry. Nice balance. Firm tannins. Excellent depth and complexity across the mid palate and finish.
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3/27/2011 - aagrawal wrote: 93 Points
Rhone Rangers 2011 (San Francisco): Dusty, wood, cigar. Young, tannic, fruity, lovely. Quite an amazing wine. 93+ with potential to improve with time.
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3/25/2011 - bpvrm wrote: 90 Points
Yes, again. But it's so good.
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3/13/2011 - pxstone wrote: 92 Points
Beautiful. Full bodied, big red fruit, integrated tannins.
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3/12/2011 - dke wrote: 90 Points
Tablas Creek tasting: (at the winery) Nice deep nose, very good finish with a good mix of acidity and tannins. 90+
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2/28/2011 - UofM wrote: 91 Points
Decanted for 2 hours and it could of used a bit more. Lovely wine with nice red fruit and soft tannins.
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2/17/2011 - viejo322 wrote: 89 Points
This was the best made ESprit De beau castle I have had from Tablas Creek so far. not as complex as I would expect but plenty here to please. One of the better cal Rhine blends that I have tasted with nice balance between balance fruit and earthiness although decidedly fruit dominant. Medium finish.
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1/16/2011 - dekay wrote: 90 Points
Fruity, round and delicious in a CdP-ish way. Popped and poured, no need to decant as its absolutely ready to drink. Had as a pre-dinner accompaniment to aged goat cheese and prosciutto. Since you can get a better, bona fide CdP at a similar price, can't say it's a good value.
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12/31/2010 - mtaczak wrote: 89 Points
I was expecting more out of this. Soft and fleshy, but not especially distinct in any particular flavor. Sort of vaguely jammy, lush, and acidic (the word "mouthwatering" was used more than once), perhaps one of the other vintages will be more my style.
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12/10/2010 - Cabfrancophile wrote:
Tablas Creek at East Beach Wine (Santa Barbara, CA): 38% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 26% Syrah, 6% Counoise. Again, a massive step up from the Cotes de Tablas Rouge. Perfumed aromas with kirsch and mild gaminess. Big bodied, creamy, yet seemingly weightless. Sweet fruit, ripe tannin, medium acidity. Very pleasurable to drink now, almost seems a feminine style, though it is a large scaled, full flavored wine.
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12/9/2010 - rc@ughey wrote: 84 Points
Out of .375, popped and poured. This was intense and unmistakeably a Southern Rhone blend, but this is not my kind of wine. I found the alcohol very noticeable and the wine overdone and out of balance in general. Despite what this wine goes for, and what some of the notes find, this wine screamed New World Cali fruit bomb to me (despite some minerals and herbs de provence).
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12/5/2010 - grafstrb wrote:
– tasted a single glass non-blind over approx. 5 minutes –
– bottle opened yesterday –
– 38% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 26% Syrah, 6% Counoise –
Purple-garnet color of medium-deep depth. Nose was incredibly tight, and not giving much — minerals. Palate was also tight: jam, perfume, and minerals. Tannins were soft and drying; acidity was noticeable; well-balanced between acid and tannin. 14.5% alc. is barely noticeable on the palate (a bit prickly). Medium length finish of moderate-light to moderate intensity. Flashier than previous vintages of the same bottling, but still needs time to unwind.
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11/27/2010 - BillyT wrote: 91 Points
Light color with a brick rim. Medium legs. Blackberries, blueberries, currant, cassis, dark chocolate, mocha, menthol, alcohol on the nose. Thin to medium body on the palate with spice and tannins. May be young at this point. Good structure and not quite balanced as well as it could be. Dark chocolate on the palate with a lingering spicy finish. Good expression of CdP but somewhat thin for a good CdP.
Several hours later this wine is holding up very well with nice red fruit on the palate but the spice has developed as well and really kicks it up a notch. This wine is best with food, i.e. good steak, lamb, etc.
This Esprit is more reminiscent of the Beaucastel heritage CdP. Much more old world rather than new so it lacks the 'fruit forwardness' of California attempts at CdR and CdP. Worth the go if you really like French CdR and CdP. If there was one complaint it would be that it is lighter than I like my Rhones but still a well made good wine.
Day two this wine held up nicely and smoothed out tremendously indicating it definitely needs more bottle time.
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10/5/2010 - Blue Shorts wrote:
One of the best esprits that I've had. No notes taken, but very complex and more in the style of a french cdp. I'll definitely get more.
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9/24/2010 - vanpe003 wrote: 91 Points
Much lighter than the '07, but a fine wine in it's own right, and perhaps a bit more "typical". This one seems more "rhone" in its character and in some ways is a more versatile, if less showy, rendition.
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9/18/2010 - Redguy wrote: 91 Points
A more elegant version than the '07, more like the '06, a little lighter weight though. Quite pretty with delicious fruit, a silky texture, and good length - this is an early drinking Esprit rouge. I'll drink this while waiting for the '07s
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9/17/2010 - hutch wrote: 94 Points
I missed the highly rated '07, but this '08 was just smoking. Rich and lush, with a full bodied, almost unctuous mouthfeel. But it's also meaty, gamy, full of blood and guts. But there's all that fruit, too. This is a phenomenal bottle of wine, and brings Tablas Creek from the level of making some of the best, if not the best, Rhone style wines out of California, to making some of the best wines, period, out of California. Tablas also belongs to a very small group of producers creating great wines that seem to be showcasing California Terrior, instead of showcasing just California Sun. 93-95
Every year, this wine gets better and better. This seems to be a consensus opinion, as most major reviewers also seem to give each vintage ever higher marks. It's also been fun to see how this wine has transitioned over the years, as the vines get older and the winemakers change and adapt their styles. In the beginning, the wines were very rustic, often barnyardy, without a lot of fruit, and very often tannic. Then they became more clean, but still loaded with structure, prone to closing up for long periods and needing a lot of time to open up. Then, starting in '05, the wines started showing more fruit, more lushness, but still keeping the structure and beginning to show a real minerality and gaminess.
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7/8/2010 - kstoddard Likes this wine: 91 Points
2010 Central Coast Wine Classic Barrel Tasting (Dolphin Bay Resort, Shell Beach): Just bottled. A blend of 38% Mourvedre, 32% Grenache, 26% Syrah, and 6% Counoise.
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4/17/2010 - pizzler wrote: 89 Points
2010 California Barrel Tasting (Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Washington DC): medium body, nice balance, lacks the intensity of other years, but is still nice drinking.
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