Wine Article
2006 Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel
Last edited on 6/29/2013 by PSUSteve
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WINE LABEL: The 2006 Esprit de Beaucastel is dark garnet red in color, with a dark nose of chocolate, plums and crushed rock. The elegant palate is rich and layered, displaying flavors of purple fruit, cedary spice, supple tannins, and a long, lingering finish.
WINEMAKER PRODUCTION NOTES: Our signature red wine showcases the wonderfully pure flavors of the 2006 vintage. it is again based on the red fruit, earth and mocha of Mourvedre (44%), while Grenache (28%) brings lush purple fruit, a mouthfeel fat with glycerin and a refreshing acidity that heightens the fruit. Syrah, providing black fruit and mineral (22%) and Counoise, providing openness and spice (5%) complete the blend. The wine was blended in November 2007, aged in foudre and bottled in July 2008.
WINEMAKER TASTING NOTES: Delicious and surprisingly approachable right now, with a complex nose of red plum, ripe cherry, fresh figs and candied orange peel, a velvety layered palate with spicy plum and cherry fruit, pepper and nutmeg spices, and excellent breadth. The finish shows more mineral, plum, and spice, and a little gentle oak from the foudre aging. It is delicious now, if very young, and should evolve elegantly in the bottle for 10-15 years or longer. Pre-release press: Robert Parker 91-93 points (6/08)
From Tablas blog on 6/20/13:
2006 Esprit de Beaucastel: Shows a deep, earthy nose of soy, dusty red fruit, licorice, black olive and mocha. The mouth is lusher than the nose initially suggests, with rich flavors of plum, leather, anise and sweet spice, all underpinned by a brambly wildness I found totally captivating. The tannins have softened but still provide a welcome counterpoint to the palate's richness, and a chewy texture that lingers on the finish, framed by the acidity I noticed in the white. While this is beautiful now, I have the sense it can age for easily another decade in the cellar and likely more.
WINEMAKER PRODUCTION NOTES: Our signature red wine showcases the wonderfully pure flavors of the 2006 vintage. it is again based on the red fruit, earth and mocha of Mourvedre (44%), while Grenache (28%) brings lush purple fruit, a mouthfeel fat with glycerin and a refreshing acidity that heightens the fruit. Syrah, providing black fruit and mineral (22%) and Counoise, providing openness and spice (5%) complete the blend. The wine was blended in November 2007, aged in foudre and bottled in July 2008.
WINEMAKER TASTING NOTES: Delicious and surprisingly approachable right now, with a complex nose of red plum, ripe cherry, fresh figs and candied orange peel, a velvety layered palate with spicy plum and cherry fruit, pepper and nutmeg spices, and excellent breadth. The finish shows more mineral, plum, and spice, and a little gentle oak from the foudre aging. It is delicious now, if very young, and should evolve elegantly in the bottle for 10-15 years or longer. Pre-release press: Robert Parker 91-93 points (6/08)
From Tablas blog on 6/20/13:
2006 Esprit de Beaucastel: Shows a deep, earthy nose of soy, dusty red fruit, licorice, black olive and mocha. The mouth is lusher than the nose initially suggests, with rich flavors of plum, leather, anise and sweet spice, all underpinned by a brambly wildness I found totally captivating. The tannins have softened but still provide a welcome counterpoint to the palate's richness, and a chewy texture that lingers on the finish, framed by the acidity I noticed in the white. While this is beautiful now, I have the sense it can age for easily another decade in the cellar and likely more.