Soooooo elegant. Just beautiful from the minute it touches your tongue. It has everything but nothing! This is as good as a GSM gets. Top rated. To think I paid $33 on futures. No way can you find a wine this good at this price. Just plain killer.
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Incredible wine! So complete from front to back pallet. All three varietals so well integrated. Drinking really well now after a 1 hour decant. Hard to believe I bought this for $33 on futures. Good luck finding a wine of this quality at this price in the future.
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Excellent+ This is into a mature phase and drinking beautifully. Immediately no doubt on the nose, Mourvedre in the lead. Upon opening the nose showed tertiary notes, but there was the slightest spritz / VA! Surprising. This quickly dissipated / integrated as there was balsamic, white balsamic, plum, aging game meat. Acid was notable, good. Damp leather, with time got just a bit of heat, started getting hints of brown sugar and molasses, but not at all cooked / baked. This wine shows nice depth and aged character while maintaining some vibrancy, never feeling heavy or drying.
Note: Purchased on release, receiving Dec. 2013. Until mid-2018 held in good conditions, fully dark, seasonal temperature range from low-mid-50s to low(upper)-60s F, ave low-60s F, after which it was transferred to offsite ideal conditions, 55 F. So this bottle's apparent age is likely slightly ahead of those held at 55 F the entire time.
14.5% abv
Empty bottle weight: 474g
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At peak and drinking well !! This Rhone blend of 40% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Counoise is delightful. Near perfect cork, easily removed with my Durand after over a dozen years in the bottle. Medium ruby color with minor oxidation and good clarity. Consumed this baby Châteauneuf-du-Pape over two days. Reminiscent of Famille Perrin Château de Beaucastel version of the classic Rhône blend dependent on the Mourvèdre backbone. Well made in a challenging growing year. I still have one remaining in my cellar and will consume in a year or so to validate my tasting note.
Mature, and holding on. Medium bodied, translucent red, some signs of bottle age e.g. browning on rim. Really nice mouthfeel, quite silky. Red fruits, cherry with sour raspberry and a nice savory finish. Elegant and complex.
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This is a beautiful wine, a substantial improvement from when tasted last year. Silky and berry-filled on the palate with violets, bay leaf and berries in the nose. A generous finish. Hard to imagine this getting any better. Drink now to 2026. Outstanding.
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I was really looking forward to this based on the past few TN. But alas this bottle had none of these other notes. Primary fruit is gone with the mouth of prune, olive, and saline and tannins fully resolved. Based on this bottle/bottle variation the wine in on the downward slope so drink up.
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W pork loin w some apple gravy. Yummy meal and good combo. Very youthful looking wine. On the noseand palate indeed aged, butstill very fresh. Beautiful expression ofrhone blend. Lengthy finish with fruit staying around. Worththe waitand another 5 years will work.
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In a great spot right now. Double decanted. Drank in full red stemware. Dark berries in abundance on the nose. Silky mouthfeel. Berries and fig on the palate, along with a smooth earthiness and stone quality. So smooth going down, but had to stop and enjoy the bouquet before every sip.
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Tasted alongside of the 2005 & 2015 Beaucastel. Properly stored and no browning, but the wine did not have the stuffing of the Beaucastels. I would suggest drinking up as it might be tiring a bit.
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Excellent, but not as compelling as my prior notes from only 1-2 years ago indicate. As others mention, this is one or two note, a bit monolithic. Never heavy or baked to me, but quite ripe. I'm doubting this is just a phase, so I'm moving my drinking window inward to 2025 vs. CT Community average 2027.
14.5% abv
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Still brooding 11 years in with the 40% Mourvèdre seeming to be even more dominant than its percentage in the blend. As usual, all that dark fruit has plenty of other shadings, like roasted meat and black tea and rosemary.
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(Wine Tasting with Friends) A disappointment. Had expected a more interesting wine, especially based on my previous notes. One-dimensional. Closed, even after four hours in the glass. Faint plums and licorice. #5 of 5 tonight. Pass.
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Very good, but not great. Dominant black fruit, with espresso, mocha and pepper that come through somewhat prickly - just not completely harmonious and singing. A bit muddled, lacking structure and sophistication - big long finish 45+ - all stays somewhat one / two note. Drink now.
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Excellent Esprit! Full Bodied, soft and ripe nose of cooked and fresh berry fruits. Flavors are extremely mouth filling:lots of dark berry fruit (from Mourvèdre) , smaller amount of red berry from grenache/syrah and its both soft and ripe yet intense from entry to finish. The finish is very smooth, long, pleasant length. I would drink very soon to enjoy the big fruit intensity with the softer age edge it's also showing.
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Another excellent showing. This worked well from PnP and over a couple of hours. Ideally this should still get at least an hour decant, but this was brought to dinner (Ember). So no notes except to say that one nice aspect of this wine is that it brings substantial material and depth, but still works easily with a fairly wide range of food.
This is in a good spot and seems to be cruising along. We should be past any closed phase and on a nice aging trajectory for another five years minimum, probably ten.
14.5% abv, no sign of heat or baked character.
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Medium weight, complex and more red fruited than but without quite the Rembrandt palette opulence of the 2011 Panoplie. Fresh and lively, tannins resolved, with more mature notes emerging, and yet still on the upward slope.
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A great choice as a first wine as it set the tone for the wines to come. An attractive clear dark ruby in the glass. The wine was decanted for 2 hours, yielding some sediment. The nose gave us some dark red fruits and a touch of some floral notes. The medium to plus bodied palate showed lots of dark red fruits (the 40% Mourvedre & the 20% Syrah) along with some glances at some brighter red fruits (the 30% Grenache & the 10% Counoise). All of this was accompanied by a solid dose of spice and pepper, nicely balancing acidity, and an all-round sense of vinous harmony. The latest TCV Vintage Chart shows this wine to be Drinking Well: Mature, but with the potential to hold at that level for the next decade.
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Catching up on yesterday's wine. This is one of the few Paso Robles wines we've had that taste just like a nice CdP. In a blind tasting we are not sure we would know the difference. This went great with our spicy pork fajitas. This wine is still drinking youthful.
We are looking forward to visiting TCV on a trip to Paso Robles in June.
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In a beautiful place right now. With rich dark fruits buttressed by black licorice, chimney soot, herbs and minerals, this integrates both primary and secondary elements. I would argue this is at peak. But what do I know? Drink now to 2028. Outstanding.
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W pork shoulder from oven. Great dish and great combo although the pork is somewhat rough and the wine elegant. Good aged color , fruity nose and good body. Length was difficult to determine as the pork was playing with the palate. Next to the 2012 which was more youthful and round.
A phenomenal wine, from the 30-minute decant to 2 hours later, it drank divinely. This is the first vintage TCV changed the wine's name from "Esprit de Beaucastel" to "Esprit de Tablas". This wine has a wonderful aromatic nose and the palate shows great depth of integrated, refined and balanced flavors.
We see this youthful 2011 drinking great for at least another 5 years. Looking forward to our remaining 4 bottles.
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Drinking really well after a few hours of air. At about four hours the bouquet blossomed. It was crazy how strong it got. I could smell the wine from more than a foot away. Rose hips, scents of citrus, field flowers. Really awesome. Truly enjoyable.
W baked beans during COVID quarantine. YUMMY! Really good bottleof superb balance of fruit, spice and body. Great drinking andgot of course better with more air. Just great.
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I made a mistake and started reading WILYPOD's recent TN and I'm left just nodding my head thinking I couldn't say it better myself. This is in a great place right now. The combination of the Mourvedre, earthy, cocoa nib, dark chocolate and the Grenache and Counoise, red fruit, spice, raspberry, joined by the Syrah is really working right now. N. African spices, plum, wild herbs, mint. Had a glass over an hour or so on PnP to try it out - loved it - and then the remainder of the bottle the second night after confirming it would only get better with some air exposure. It keeps getting better through the last glass over hours. Happy to have half a dozen of these waiting.
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Blood orange red. What a sumptuous, luxurious, and spicy mouthfeel! The nose of leather, black raspberries and licorice does not quite prepare one for the spicy, layered palate: black raspberry coulis, myrtle, Grenache-signature licorice, dark chocolate, a ruby port grapy-ness, clove and balsam, cocoa butter, dried rose petals, and perfectly gauged tannin. Closer to youthful than mature. Were the nose more alluring, this would be a 97. It deserves a poem, not a CT note. Really sings after 3 or 4 hours.
Quick note to say this was much better than I recalled from prior tries. Has lovely several layers that good Rhone can offer, while also being not too heavy, which it’s partial owner from CNDP can be guilty of. Reassuring as I have been a little disappointed by this domaine in the last few years. Suggests to me that this wine needs time (not that normal in Paso) and if patient reveals a gentle but nicely layered Rhône blend. And it’s Biodynamically farmed which is a big plus for us - no pesticides!
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This was a great bottle. Not too ripe, smoky and smooth. Every vintage of Esprit has a label that says 14.5% ABV which can’t possibly be true and this one seems lower. Whatever the truth, this is drinking well now and isn’t too ripe. A bit of red berry fruity, smoke and candied violet.
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Decanted for about an hour. Nose of black fruit, oregano, maybe a little green olive, smoke. Palate brings more fruit, juicy acidity, firm but fine tannins. Still gaining fruit after a couple of hours - wish I had decanted longer, but sadly we drank it all. I'll give the next bottle four-six hours before we start drinking it.
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Took about an hour or so to open up but really improved. There was a little bit of red fruit smell/taste remaining but it had clearly faded; balanced with black pepper and smokiness with some bacon and meat present. Medium body with smooth texture and not a long finish.
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Tasty 9 yr old Paso red blend of 40% Mouvredre, 30% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Counoise. 14.5% abv. Black fruits, pepper, meat, coffee beans, sage, and dark chocolate. Tannins are smooth and acidity is moderate. Drink now through 2021.
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This wine really delivered tonight. The last couple Esprit de Tablas I've opened haven't wowed me, but this seems to be in a nice spot. As others have said, this wine is elegant, smooth mouthfeel, medium bodied, red fruit with smoky, earthy, and slight leather undertones. Best at pop n pour -- did not need a decant. Drank from a 375ml.
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Drinking very well right now. Very pretty and wonderfully translucent and elegant. Bright red berries, sweet herbs, and black tea notes. Really enjoyed this bottle and can't wait for my next one.
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All of the varietals are really coming together and pulling their weights on this now. Starting to really show some aged character at this point (*). No notes, from memory, I got roasted and aging meat notes, both dark and bright red fruits, dry leather, some cool mint notes, turned damp earth. If not for the label showing 30% Grenache, the nose to me suggested majority Grenache, but the body belies the 40% Mourvedre (and 20% Syrah). I think continuing brightness might be in part due to the 10% Counoise joining the Grenache.
This is aging gracefully. It looks like the CT drinking window through 2027 is spot on and perfectly stored bottles will go further.
Happy to have a half dozen+ more of these laid down.
* Stored in dark, good, but imperfect cellar conditions, in the mid-upper 50s to mid-upper 60s F.
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Great showing... Still plenty vibrant, with red and blue fruits popping. Starting to see hints of tertiary flavors of loam and leather. A sip here and there will betray the 14.5% abv (2011 really?), but on the whole the wine is beautifully balanced.
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Smooth, polished gent. Candied yet meaty, smoky nose. Developing bacon fat. Very sleek, round mouthfeel with good fruit. A certain elegance about it but plenty of stuffing. Drinking nicely now with no decline in sight. 4-13-16-8: 91/100.
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W lamb chop from grill. Great bottle. Took an hour to really open up but this was yummy. Great fruit and structure lingering finish. Red fruit. Medium bodied. Yummy. Will live a few more years.
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Smooth, and very easy to drink. light berry tones with a hint of pepper. Limited nose, but lovely to drink. A good blend and perfect wine to have with a light meal.
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This was more ripe and less crisp than the last bottle a few years ago. You could feel the 14.5 abv more than last time. Still an enjoyable wine but I think time to drink based on this bottle. Wild red berries, earth, resin.
3/29/19 with Santa Maria style grilled lamb over red oak. Dark garnet with initially restrained and tired aromatics which opened and freshened considerably after two hours in the decanter. Dark fruits, slightly earthy from Mourvèdre and Grenache dark spicy raspberry and dark flowers with a palate of same, with uplifting and defining acid and moderate length in the finish- finishing with raspberry and florals. tannins were pretty fine. Note to self: This needed the lengthy decant at cellar temperature to express itself.
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Decanted for ≈30 min; Private Preserve after Day 1 ONLY
“40% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 20% Syrah, & 10% Counoise fermented using native yeasts in open & closed s/s fermenters. After pressing, the wines were moved into barrel, blended, & aged in 1,200-gallon FR oak foudres before being bottled in May 2013. 14.5% ABV; 4,400 cases produced. We recommend drinking either between 2014 and 2016 or 2020-2040.”
N: Earthiness with borderline mustiness
P: MF body; Rndish entry with NICE, almost swtish frt, then a SHARPNESS that doesn't resolve.
Day 2: Some of the same aromas, but certainly no WORSE, & probably even better than on Day 1, + some RIPE frt now coming through. On the P the NICE frt is still met by SHARPNESS, though arguably < Day 1.
Day 4: While showing some oxidation, it's likely < than I'd have anticipated. ∑: Not rating, partially because it MAY have been flawed, or at the *least* I was a bit trigger happy on holding it into '20, as the winery recommends. :( [On the other hand, as I believe this bottle rec'd < "ideal" storage...] :(
(If interested, check the 4 scores on wine-searcher's Tasting Notes pg.) [As of mid May '20, wine-searcher still shows 4 sources @ $59-$70].
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this is gorgeous. sweet Grenache fruit and fine tannin make this accessible now, but the fine structure and perfect balance suggest this will go a while. super enjoyable now, even without decanting
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Consumed this bottle on the porch with some beef tenderloin, potatoes and asparagus. Delicious, concentrated black and blue fruits, with a nice mineral streak and peppery notes to add complexity. The tannins are softening nicely, and there is ample acidity to lead into a med+, bright finish. Drink now through 2020 or so.
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Had this side by side with 2004 Chateau de Beaucastel, and it did not suffer much in comparison (although the CdB was certainly better). A leaner wine than many, and this helped the comparison. It was softer and fuller than the CdB. Good cherry, earth, needs time still.
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Opened one hour before serving. Clear garnet, this was in the same league as the 2011 Beaucastel opened earlier in the evening. Clear garnet color, spice and red fruit to the nose licorice and cherry and plum notes to the body, good structure and finish.
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Notes from Night 2 - Nose full of red fruit with a hint of sweet tart. Silky palate with good acid rounding out the bluish fruit on the palate and late hitting tannins. Finishes acidic but with lingering tannins. This still has some ways to grow.
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Man, this is pretty damn good and surprising. Black cherry, blueberry, and boysenberry fruit with a wonderful core of fresh herbs, sage, rosemary, forest floor, chalky earth, white pepper, and tobacco notes. Very well balanced wine, still has some firm acidity and nice long finish.
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Similar to our note 12 months ago. Decent balance and acidity. We enjoy earthy, but still find this wine rather muted, indeed a bit muddy. Consistent results over four nights, served just above cellar temperature.
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Nose of cherries, raspberry, black pepper, fresh herbs and a touch of earth. The taste is similar to the nose with a medium mouth-feel and well-rounded tannins. The acid level is perfect to pair with food and indicates that this wine will probably improve for at lease a few more years. The finish is medium-long and dry. 92+
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Cooler vintage which shows. Still 14.5% but it doesn't show. More lifted, brighter flavors than 2009 and 2008 tasted at same time. Good cherry, berry fruit, with some menthol and violets. Excellent wine. Still time ahead.
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This bottle supports that change from "de Beaucastel" to "de Tablas". I'd have guessed this for a very nice Crozes-Hermitage or maybe a St. Joseph, not a CdP.
This bottle started with and maintained a pronounced smokiness in the nose along with some bacon fat, dried herbs, and a bit of meat (and some sort of berries?). Mid-weight body, some minerality, tannins not at all drying but seem to "be there" to hold this up for some time, medium finish. Contains its 14.5% abv effortlessly. This is elegant, both serious enough to pause and appreciate, but easy enough to drink that the bottle goes down quickly. By the end of the bottle (only a couple hours) it started to put some more depth in the body with less smoke, but in a good way. It was very nice from PnP to the last sip.
A couple of times I kind of laughed because I couldn't decide if this was something I should drink over the next year or so or lay down much longer term. I'm just going to have to peel off a bottle a year and see what happens. I'm guessing this has the ability to age really nicely into something almost Burgundian. I really don't know, just a guess. Nice effort here.
The aromas of baking spice, underbrush, red fruit, and earth just draw you in. Drinking in a nice spot right now with resolved tannins and just very smooth. Love the euro-profile of this wine.
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Nice, well balanced GSM and a non typical Paso Rhone blend as it is more subtle and not the over ripe, over the top, high alcohol wines that are more typical. Definately more in the style of Chateauneuf Du Pape.
Very enjoyable and I always love Tablas Creek for the balance, soft tannins yet nicely extracted wine without being heavy handed.
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A bit awkward; perhaps in a dumb phase. More air or time needed. What did develop in the glass over dinner was very nice, clean, pure red and black fruits.
Last tasted about a year ago (11/15); really no change.
Color: light-to-medium deep ruby core -> light/diffuse ruby rim. Decanted for 60+ minutes to let develop. Quite the savory bouquet of sage, rosemary, underbrush and black cherries. A very European palate in this vintage! Lighter on its feet than in the past but not suffering for it at all. Mineral driven with rose petals and plums, this displays the elegant side of Paso. Showing light to moderate smooth and elegant tannins, I think this is ready to drink now and into the next 5 (maybe more) years. Lovely balance.
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Balanced, to be sure, and not at all excessive or extracted. And a good touch of earth. That's the good part. And yet, at this point at least, it's not especially complex, and instead rather monolithic -- or so it was to us over four nights.
Drinking very well at the moment. Aromatic nose of black fruits, round balanced mouthfeel, palate of ripe juicy fruits, boysenberry, plum, black currant, hint of anise and cacao, long finish with a peppery spice and a hint of candied fruit flavors. Delicious came to mind more than once.
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Still mostly bright and young but some aged character creeping in, this is so elegant and pure. I got lots of mixed spices(north African mix?) and also the smell of brush during the hot, dry summer and after some air, doses of mocha and a bit more weight and showing some dusty earth, a healthy amount of acid, some minerality. This drinks so easily it could be possible to casually miss just how well-built this is. It is not a big heavy fruit-driven effort. Glad I have a stash of this to check in on over the years ahead.
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Outstanding right from the pop. Rich without being heavy. A nice blend of fruit, earth with hints of gaminess and smoke. Long, resinous finish. Absolutely delightful.
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We received this beauty from Tablas Creek’s (T.C.) wine club in September, 2013. This always-90+ point red blend consists of 40% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Counoise. The bouquet is mostly minerally, chalky, and earthy, along with suggestions of dark fruits and dried herbs. Sure enough, the flavor/fruit profile consists of about 80% dark fruits and 20% red fruits, such as plums, blackberries, black cherries, raspberries, red currants, and sour cherries. Next “up to the plate” are dried herbs and spices, especially black pepper and the usual dried herbs in an Herb de Provence. The third most prominent element are mineral elements, especially iron, as well as chalky and schist and stony/granite characteristics, thanks to T.C.’s soil and terrior. Because of the iron element, this wine would have been the perfect wine for Robert Downey Jr.’s character in the “Iron Man” movies. In addition to the delicious fruit, herb and spice, and mineral/earthy elements, this wine is beautifully and deliciously rich and creamy, most likely thanks to the oak barrels and/or foudres used in the aging and wine-making process, even though the oak element is not noticeable in the flavor or bouquet profile. Typical for T.C. wines, this wine has amazingly food-friendly structural elements that will allow this wine to age and mature gracefully, beautifully, and elegantly for years (if not decades). The tannins and acidity are perfectly balanced and well-harmonized with the flavor profile that results in a fabulous red blend that is amazingly food-friendly and capable of aging for a very long time in one’s wine cellar. The depth-of-flavors are fantastic, with delicious fruit, spice/herb, stony/minerality, rich creaminess, earthiness, food-perfect structural elements, as well as a smooth, lingering, palate-cleansing finish. This wine is drinking PERFECTLY right now and has the structural elements that will allow it to age, develop, mature, and transpire over the next 5-to-20 years. I used to only drink T.C. wines when they were in their “Peak Maturity” stage, but because T.C. blended wines almost always enter a “Closed” phase (usually after about 5 or 6 years post-harvest), I changed my approach and decided recently to drink all their white and red blends before they go through their closed phase. I paired this wine with rib eye steaks spiced with Kosher salt, black pepper, and Herbs de Provence. This wine paired PERFECTLY with the steaks and would pair well with just about any/all red protein dishes, such as prime rib, lamb chops/racks/shanks, and Beef Wellington. If you’re a fan of rich, creamy, delicious, well-structured, complex red blends based on Chateauneuf-du-Pape, this Cali beauty would/should make you pleased beyond belief. If I win the next PowerBall Lottery, I will probably clear-out T.C.’s wine cellar. This red blend from T.C. is ALWAYS good and the 2011 vintage is fantastic. HIGHLY recommended!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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The wine presents a clear garnet appearance. It smells of cherry, cedar and raisin.The cherry dominates the taste, but some raisiny hints are also present. The wine has a smooth texture with a light to medium body. It has a medium acidity and the finish lingers for a medium amount of time. We had the wine with Osso Bucco, a very nice pairing.
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Excellent wine. Dark though not opaque ruby. Great legs. Nose is a beaut. Deeply fruited, with olive, lavender and garrigue. Very complex in the mouth, round, sexy, lovely. Can't believe this much forward fruit in a Tablas wine. This has blossomed and is drinking beautifully. 4-13-18-9: 94/100.
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Nose opens up after an hour woth berries and earthy tones. Fairly lightweight in a pleasant style. Nice aftertaste, but kind of misses out in the mid palate.
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Last tasted about a year ago with almost no change except for perhaps a touch lighter depth of body.
Color: light-to-medium deep ruby core -> light/diffuse ruby rim. Decanted for 60+ minutes to let develop. Still quite the savory bouquet of sage, rosemary, underbrush and black cherries. A very European palate in this vintage! Lighter on its feet than in the past but not suffering for it at all. Mineral driven with rose petals and plums, this displays the elegant side of Paso. Showing light to moderate smooth and elegant tannins, I think this is ready to drink now and into the next 5 (maybe more) years. Lovely balance.
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Unbelievably good for a 2011 from Paso. Decanted for 45 min and this wine exploded with dark fruits. Decent acidity to balance the richness. Dark cherries and notes of licorice. Delicious now and it had evolved so much compared to a year ago.
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One bottle to confirm before holding the rest. This is exactly the wine I thought I would get after tasting at the winery. 2011 was a tough year with a late frost and resulted in miniscule yields. When I tasted through the lineup I was floored by the combination of restraint, acidity, and paradoxical concentration. It was a definitive departure from the typically more robust fruit of Paso in its youth, but that suits me just fine (and I do love the '07 EdB).
Pnp. Perfume, hard red candy, and sandalwood on the nose, bit shy at the moment. Hard red candy, juicy dark cherry fruit, garrigue, and ultra fine tannins that are coating. Palate is very compact at the moment with a lot of complexity. Game, smoke, and more florals jump in there. The acidity, high for this wine to be sure, is so perfectly integrated. No way to tell this from top flight Chateauneuf. It is absolutely perfect at the dinner table right now but will be a knockout in 5-6 years. 94-95
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Really nice wine that is still very young. All components are not yet fully integrated. To my palate, this wine had a lot of fresh grenache character to it. Right now, that is the wine that dominates to me. Had with a Cornas 2005 and the TCV was definitely the wine of the night.
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Outstanding, but still I was expecting more. I suspect that this will be better still in another year or two. It felt just a bit disjointed and at times bordered on a bitterness that I hadn't expected. Still, this strikes as excellent value and was fully enjoyed. Similar to other reviewers, it needs time to breathe and shows the quality of the winemaker in the blend.
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Showing well and similar to previous bottles. Very mourvedre driven with loads of graphite, chalk, blue and black fruits, some gravel and pepper. Crazy steal at $30!
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As others have noted, this is very old world and mourvedre dominated in style. From 375 ml. This opened up aromatically closed and gradually opened up over an hour and a half of drinking. This can be drunk now, but I recommend decanting this for an hour after opening if you can. The aromatics are the best aspect of this wine and they take some time to show. Vivid Aromas of spicy raspberry, slate, and black cherry meld beautifully. The finish has reasonable complexity for a wine this young. An overall solid wine.
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Tasting more of it's youth in this 2nd bottle I had of this. Still the same framework of mineral, graphite, fresh brigh fruit and balance but a touch muted. Will hold on to my last bottle for a while.
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All I can say about this wine is WOW! I would have easily been fooled in a blind tasting that this was a good vintage of Gigondas. Beautiful notes of mineral, wild berries, graphite, iron, herbs de provance and dry desert air. Balanced on the palate but that juicy seductive note that makes you want to gulp. Crazy good value at $30 here!
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By bouquet only, if this transcendent elixir were inserted into a flight of high-end Beaucastel wines, and other CdP Mourvedre heavy offerings, five will get you ten that it would confound more than a few blind tasters. The provocative bouquet features tremendous elegance and richness, reflected through ripe red and dark berries, ink, cooking herbs, herbal teas, white tea, juniper, savory, minerals, and crushed rocks. The wine's rich, fruit-forward character betrays its provenance, and overall, the palate, though exceptionally well crafted, does not match the bouquet's charm. This aside, this wine ranks among the very best Old World tributes I have tasted...and that heady bouquet...it resonates with the senses long after the last drops are imbibed.
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Medium ruby in the glass, expressive nose of ripe fruits, drinking well at the moment, palate is balanced with nice acid and tannins to bring structure to the fruit forward style of this blend. Notes of red currant, ripe dark fruits, spice and cacao. Elegant comes to mind as finished the bottle.
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Color: medium ruby core -> light/diffuse ruby rim. Opened and decanted for 90 minutes to let develop. Savory bouquet of sage, rosemary, underbrush and black cherries. Quite the european palate this vintage! Lighter on its feet than in the past but not suffering for it at all. Mineral driven with rose petals and plums, this displays the elegant side of Paso. Showing moderate tannins, I think this may still have room to develop positively.
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Wow, drinking nicely already. Decanted ~2hrs. This is elegant with a solid core of fruit that is in near perfect harmony with firm but fine tannins and notable but background acid. Spices, dried herbs, and hints of 'dry forest'(?) and mint on the nose. This is no extract bomb, instead it's light on its feet while providing plenty of dark fruit, earth, and over time hints of mocha. It also put on weight over several hours of drinking / in the glass, so some elegance did seem to fade, but in its place was a more brooding, fleshy wine. Pleasant medium duration finish.
This delivers value at the price point, something I can't say for many California reds in the retail $50+ area. Seems like it can lay down for several years and develop.
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Very dense nose with lots of dark fruits with some leather notes. Very very balanced body. I was expecting a very young wine but it is very good now, with enough tannins to age gracefully. This is a great wine and I will definitely buy more. Highly recommended. Note: I did not decant.
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Rhone Rangers DC tasting June 4, 2014 After the 2004, the best Esprit rouge I've tasted. I marginally prefer it to the initially more impressive 2010. Elegant, supple, savory fruit with a pronounced tannic and mineral backbone. Those Mourvedre tannins are indeed part "powdered sugar" in nature, adding depth and dimension without a trace of the saccharine to structure. The 2011 Rhone blends are underrated and evolving beautifully.
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Rich, ripe, with a silky Valentine's heart candy sweetness, yet nice mineral and acid in the core, and bright predominantly red fruit. Anticipated something too young, but really quite balanced, layered and delicious right out of the bottle.
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This is really coming around. Fantastic balance, really nice dark fruit, blackberry, plum and dark cherry. Fine grained tannins, lively acidity and a mouth watering finish.
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40% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Counoise. Mourvèdre is farmed Biodynamically. Potpourri aromas, finesse, still...selected lots for intensity. Lots of mineral. 14.5%, and a very old world appeal. Raspberry, exotic pepper, grilled meat (not too overt), this has the acid of the red cuvées for sure. Dried flower on the palate is so distinctive. A very impressive wine. The palate is more enjoyable than it is cocked and loaded for the only future pleasure.
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#RRSFBAY (Washington, DC): Ruby colored. Aromas of bright cherries, red currants, roses, earth and red licorice. On the palate, this shows fine tannins, fresh acid and silky-ripe fruit. Cherries and blackberries galore, with sweet chestnut, red licorice and earth. Braised meat and roses came out with time. Such freshness. Very silky and pure-tasting. 40% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Counoise.
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Deep clear garnet color. Young and aromatic nose of rich raspberry fruit, dark cherry, and black pepper. Dry with medium tannin, obviously a bit young, with flavors of blackberry, rose petal, raspberry, black pepper, and medium savory spice. Drinking very nice.
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Paso Robles wines (and a couple more) (Scott & Jo's): My first time trying this vintage. Whether it has changed style, or just the vintage, this comes off as more European and less exuberant than prior vintages. That is neither good nor bad and I think more vintage. Purple/ruby in color. The nose has boysenberries, black pepper, spice and a bit of grilled meats. Medium bodied. On the palate, nice juicy texture. Black raspberry fruit. Seems like it will develop and age just fine. Very elegant wine.
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(Tasted at the winery) Absolutely lip-smacking delicious. Ruby red with firm legs that cling to the glass. Clearly made in a food-friendly style that shows freshness at first sip that reveals a more serious underbelly that will likely be enhanced over time. Although still very young, there's a lot going on in the glass, especially with some time. Blueberries, currants, hints of cassis and cedar. Alluring smokey notes in the finish. Will only get better over the next decade. Bravo!
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Somewhat on the lighter side for a Tablas Rhone blend. This is currently a bit angular with tangy acidity, black cherry and ripe strawberry. This is drinking very nicely now but I'm sure this will develop some darker notes and some roundness with time I'm very happy I have a few more of these laying down.
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Really enjoyable wine, offering distinctive, yet a balanced taste that doesn't have any sharp overtones, but instead nice rounded flavors. Was struck by how much smoother and richer this wine was than other wines we sampled the same night - Bordeaux and a French Syrah. Of the three wines we tried, this was the hands-down winner.
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Delightful young, but very drinkable Rhone-style wine. Opened and decanted about an hour before drinking.Lots of red cherry and raspberry. Nice weighty mouth-feel with a medium long finish. Served with grilled pork chops, fingerling potatos, and brussell's sprouts (probably not the best food match, I will admit, but it worked.)
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Pop/pour day of delivery. Aromas of red fruit with a green freshness. A savory component as well, but not the sauvage of counterparts from France. Lighter on its feet. On the palate, medium bodied and well balanced with acidity. Not much in the way of tannins. Winery notes suggest drinking 2014-2016, or subsequently starting in 2020. I don't have enough experience with this wine to speak of its "dumb phase", but tonight it was a terrific pairing with turbo-charged flank steaks. For me, this is a very approachable Rhone blend this early in its life, and a wine that perhaps has a broader appeal for non wine geeks (given lack of big meat / game / rusticity) than some if its French counterparts. Could use a bit more depth, but I suspect that will flush out with age. 92 points for now with the right pairing, and I think more upside with the right amount of bottle age.
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3/31/2024 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 92 Points
Lovely, delicate yet complex wine.
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3/17/2024 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 93 Points
Soooooo elegant. Just beautiful from the minute it touches your tongue. It has everything but nothing! This is as good as a GSM gets. Top rated. To think I paid $33 on futures. No way can you find a wine this good at this price. Just plain killer.
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3/3/2024 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 93 Points
Incredible wine! So complete from front to back pallet. All three varietals so well integrated. Drinking really well now after a 1 hour decant. Hard to believe I bought this for $33 on futures. Good luck finding a wine of this quality at this price in the future.
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2/26/2024 - tward Likes this wine: 92 Points
Excellent+
This is into a mature phase and drinking beautifully. Immediately no doubt on the nose, Mourvedre in the lead. Upon opening the nose showed tertiary notes, but there was the slightest spritz / VA! Surprising. This quickly dissipated / integrated as there was balsamic, white balsamic, plum, aging game meat. Acid was notable, good. Damp leather, with time got just a bit of heat, started getting hints of brown sugar and molasses, but not at all cooked / baked. This wine shows nice depth and aged character while maintaining some vibrancy, never feeling heavy or drying.
Note: Purchased on release, receiving Dec. 2013. Until mid-2018 held in good conditions, fully dark, seasonal temperature range from low-mid-50s to low(upper)-60s F, ave low-60s F, after which it was transferred to offsite ideal conditions, 55 F. So this bottle's apparent age is likely slightly ahead of those held at 55 F the entire time.
14.5% abv
Empty bottle weight: 474g
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2/12/2024 - bdhanna Likes this wine: 92 Points
At peak and drinking well !!
This Rhone blend of 40% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Counoise is delightful. Near perfect cork, easily removed with my Durand after over a dozen years in the bottle. Medium ruby color with minor oxidation and good clarity. Consumed this baby Châteauneuf-du-Pape over two days. Reminiscent of Famille Perrin Château de Beaucastel version of the classic Rhône blend dependent on the Mourvèdre backbone. Well made in a challenging growing year. I still have one remaining in my cellar and will consume in a year or so to validate my tasting note.
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1/31/2024 - bergkamp10 wrote: 91 Points
Mature, and holding on. Medium bodied, translucent red, some signs of bottle age e.g. browning on rim. Really nice mouthfeel, quite silky. Red fruits, cherry with sour raspberry and a nice savory finish. Elegant and complex.
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11/21/2023 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:
This is a beautiful wine, a substantial improvement from when tasted last year. Silky and berry-filled on the palate with violets, bay leaf and berries in the nose. A generous finish. Hard to imagine this getting any better. Drink now to 2026. Outstanding.
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9/4/2023 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 93 Points
Another top notch GSM from one of the better Paso producers. Year-in, year-out, consistent as hell.
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8/27/2023 - alitman wrote:
I was really looking forward to this based on the past few TN. But alas this bottle had none of these other notes. Primary fruit is gone with the mouth of prune, olive, and saline and tannins fully resolved. Based on this bottle/bottle variation the wine in on the downward slope so drink up.
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8/21/2023 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 93 Points
consistently great wine!
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8/10/2023 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 92 Points
Just another great TCV wine! Never disappointing.
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6/9/2023 - MichielV wrote: 91 Points
W pork loin w some apple gravy. Yummy meal and good combo. Very youthful looking wine. On the noseand palate indeed aged, butstill very fresh. Beautiful expression ofrhone blend. Lengthy finish with fruit staying around. Worththe waitand another 5 years will work.
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3/25/2023 - joeprez Likes this wine: 94 Points
In a great spot right now. Double decanted. Drank in full red stemware. Dark berries in abundance on the nose. Silky mouthfeel. Berries and fig on the palate, along with a smooth earthiness and stone quality. So smooth going down, but had to stop and enjoy the bouquet before every sip.
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3/12/2023 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really good Central coast Rhone blend showing its Beaucastel roots
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3/9/2023 - WinoRick wrote: 90 Points
Tasted alongside of the 2005 & 2015 Beaucastel. Properly stored and no browning, but the wine did not have the stuffing of the Beaucastels. I would suggest drinking up as it might be tiring a bit.
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2/23/2023 - fmoehl@yahoo.com wrote: 92 Points
Held up real well. Excellent wine with plenty of fruit still
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2/15/2023 - dglass wrote: 91 Points
Holding well and good taste on finish.
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2/6/2023 - Winedude10 wrote: 93 Points
Drinking well. Had earthy, dark fruit taste with a very nice finish. Great with beef stew on a cold winter night.
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1/8/2023 - JMFWC Likes this wine: 93 Points
Hitting its stride with lush fruit and a pretty nose. Palate has a dense fruit with a hint of reductiveness and some nice tannins.
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12/23/2022 - tward Likes this wine: 90 Points
Excellent, but not as compelling as my prior notes from only 1-2 years ago indicate. As others mention, this is one or two note, a bit monolithic. Never heavy or baked to me, but quite ripe. I'm doubting this is just a phase, so I'm moving my drinking window inward to 2025 vs. CT Community average 2027.
14.5% abv
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8/20/2022 - yatchisin Likes this wine: 91 Points
Still brooding 11 years in with the 40% Mourvèdre seeming to be even more dominant than its percentage in the blend. As usual, all that dark fruit has plenty of other shadings, like roasted meat and black tea and rosemary.
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6/25/2022 - andtheodor wrote:
While this is undeniably very good, it's got a heavy, syrupy nature to the brandied fruit and I just can't get into this kind of thing any more.
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6/25/2022 - thalver wrote:
drinking fine...the mouverdre tended to show itself....not riviting, but good. I'm not sure if it will get any better
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5/24/2022 - jonahfactor wrote:
(Wine Tasting with Friends) A disappointment. Had expected a more interesting wine, especially based on my previous notes. One-dimensional. Closed, even after four hours in the glass. Faint plums and licorice. #5 of 5 tonight. Pass.
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5/13/2022 - eags25fla wrote: 90 Points
Very good, but not great. Dominant black fruit, with espresso, mocha and pepper that come through somewhat prickly - just not completely harmonious and singing. A bit muddled, lacking structure and sophistication - big long finish 45+ - all stays somewhat one / two note. Drink now.
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4/15/2022 - Ismann wrote: flawed
Cork was compromised so bottle was oxygenated. Bummer.
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2/19/2022 - larrybbaldwin Likes this wine: 89 Points
Garnet, some elements of stewed fruit over herbs and plums. Still with firm tannins and moderate intensity and length. Good not great
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12/27/2021 - jayyano@hotmail.com wrote: 89 Points
Very easy drinking wine with dark fruits and spices. Nice long finish with dark chocolate finish.
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12/15/2021 - Wineson Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking well.
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12/8/2021 - Wineson Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking really well.
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11/13/2021 - dino_mike Likes this wine: 93 Points
Excellent Esprit! Full Bodied, soft and ripe nose of cooked and fresh berry fruits. Flavors are extremely mouth filling:lots of dark berry fruit (from Mourvèdre) , smaller amount of red berry from grenache/syrah and its both soft and ripe yet intense from entry to finish. The finish is very smooth, long, pleasant length. I would drink very soon to enjoy the big fruit intensity with the softer age edge it's also showing.
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9/5/2021 - tward Likes this wine: 93 Points
Another excellent showing. This worked well from PnP and over a couple of hours. Ideally this should still get at least an hour decant, but this was brought to dinner (Ember). So no notes except to say that one nice aspect of this wine is that it brings substantial material and depth, but still works easily with a fairly wide range of food.
This is in a good spot and seems to be cruising along. We should be past any closed phase and on a nice aging trajectory for another five years minimum, probably ten.
14.5% abv, no sign of heat or baked character.
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9/1/2021 - JimSlatin Likes this wine: 92 Points
In a great place right now. dark fruit; some earthy tones; Not even done yet; I wish I had another bottle
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8/31/2021 - wilypod Likes this wine: 91 Points
Medium weight, complex and more red fruited than but without quite the Rembrandt palette opulence of the 2011 Panoplie. Fresh and lively, tannins resolved, with more mature notes emerging, and yet still on the upward slope.
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6/12/2021 - VlgJeff Likes this wine: 92 Points
The Columbia Group - Back Together Again (Our Place): The first of four Rhone Blends tasted blind with a dinner of Lamb Tagine. Notes were taken and the four wines were revealed after dinner. Group rank #3.
A great choice as a first wine as it set the tone for the wines to come. An attractive clear dark ruby in the glass. The wine was decanted for 2 hours, yielding some sediment. The nose gave us some dark red fruits and a touch of some floral notes. The medium to plus bodied palate showed lots of dark red fruits (the 40% Mourvedre & the 20% Syrah) along with some glances at some brighter red fruits (the 30% Grenache & the 10% Counoise). All of this was accompanied by a solid dose of spice and pepper, nicely balancing acidity, and an all-round sense of vinous harmony.
The latest TCV Vintage Chart shows this wine to be Drinking Well: Mature, but with the potential to hold at that level for the next decade.
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5/25/2021 - Birorganic Likes this wine: 92 Points
Almost ten years old from half bottle. Really good but it’s still a baby. Will age another 10–20+? because of the Mourvèdre. Well done Mr Collins.
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5/7/2021 - Bob in NC wrote: 92 Points
Catching up on yesterday's wine. This is one of the few Paso Robles wines we've had that taste just like a nice CdP. In a blind tasting we are not sure we would know the difference. This went great with our spicy pork fajitas. This wine is still drinking youthful.
We are looking forward to visiting TCV on a trip to Paso Robles in June.
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5/5/2021 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 92 Points
Definitely needed a 1-2 hour decant. A bit disjointed on first opening but opened up nicely.
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4/22/2021 - jonahfactor Likes this wine:
In a beautiful place right now. With rich dark fruits buttressed by black licorice, chimney soot, herbs and minerals, this integrates both primary and secondary elements. I would argue this is at peak. But what do I know? Drink now to 2028. Outstanding.
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4/13/2021 - jlgnml Likes this wine: 90 Points
Really smooth. Nice for the evening. Drink
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4/3/2021 - MichielV wrote: 91 Points
W pork shoulder from oven. Great dish and great combo although the pork is somewhat rough and the wine elegant. Good aged color , fruity nose and good body. Length was difficult to determine as the pork was playing with the palate. Next to the 2012 which was more youthful and round.
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3/21/2021 - Blue Shorts Likes this wine: 94 Points
Popped and poured Superb. In a perfect place. Drink or hold.
More note slater.
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2/5/2021 - Bob in NC Likes this wine: 95 Points
A phenomenal wine, from the 30-minute decant to 2 hours later, it drank divinely. This is the first vintage TCV changed the wine's name from "Esprit de Beaucastel" to "Esprit de Tablas". This wine has a wonderful aromatic nose and the palate shows great depth of integrated, refined and balanced flavors.
We see this youthful 2011 drinking great for at least another 5 years. Looking forward to our remaining 4 bottles.
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12/12/2020 - travelin.mikeyt Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking really well after a few hours of air. At about four hours the bouquet blossomed. It was crazy how strong it got. I could smell the wine from more than a foot away. Rose hips, scents of citrus, field flowers. Really awesome. Truly enjoyable.
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12/11/2020 - MichielV wrote: 92 Points
W baked beans during COVID quarantine. YUMMY! Really good bottleof superb balance of fruit, spice and body. Great drinking andgot of course better with more air. Just great.
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11/29/2020 - tward Likes this wine: 94 Points
I made a mistake and started reading WILYPOD's recent TN and I'm left just nodding my head thinking I couldn't say it better myself. This is in a great place right now. The combination of the Mourvedre, earthy, cocoa nib, dark chocolate and the Grenache and Counoise, red fruit, spice, raspberry, joined by the Syrah is really working right now. N. African spices, plum, wild herbs, mint. Had a glass over an hour or so on PnP to try it out - loved it - and then the remainder of the bottle the second night after confirming it would only get better with some air exposure. It keeps getting better through the last glass over hours. Happy to have half a dozen of these waiting.
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11/26/2020 - wilypod Likes this wine: 94 Points
Blood orange red. What a sumptuous, luxurious, and spicy mouthfeel! The nose of leather, black raspberries and licorice does not quite prepare one for the spicy, layered palate: black raspberry coulis, myrtle, Grenache-signature licorice, dark chocolate, a ruby port grapy-ness, clove and balsam, cocoa butter, dried rose petals, and perfectly gauged tannin. Closer to youthful than mature. Were the nose more alluring, this would be a 97. It deserves a poem, not a CT note. Really sings after 3 or 4 hours.
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10/29/2020 - AAW_RightWine Likes this wine: 91 Points
Medium ruby color, dried fruit on the nose, distinct spice and noticeable Mourvedre characteristics ... Let this decant 1 plus hours
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10/5/2020 - Hermosabritdad Likes this wine: 89 Points
Quick note to say this was much better than I recalled from prior tries. Has lovely several layers that good Rhone can offer, while also being not too heavy, which it’s partial owner from CNDP can be guilty of. Reassuring as I have been a little disappointed by this domaine in the last few years. Suggests to me that this wine needs time (not that normal in Paso) and if patient reveals a gentle but nicely layered Rhône blend. And it’s Biodynamically farmed which is a big plus for us - no pesticides!
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9/26/2020 - bbcc66 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Decanted 1/2 hr. Consistent, well balanced tastes of red & darker fruits. Medium body. Nice mouth feel.
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9/25/2020 - acidqueen wrote: 91 Points
This was a great bottle. Not too ripe, smoky and smooth. Every vintage of Esprit has a label that says 14.5% ABV which can’t possibly be true and this one seems lower. Whatever the truth, this is drinking well now and isn’t too ripe. A bit of red berry fruity, smoke and candied violet.
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8/25/2020 - agnorger Likes this wine: 95 Points
Really opened up after about 30 minutes
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8/1/2020 - CADomer Likes this wine: 93 Points
Similar notes to previous bottle. Drinking very well.
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7/5/2020 - tautlinehitch Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted for about an hour. Nose of black fruit, oregano, maybe a little green olive, smoke. Palate brings more fruit, juicy acidity, firm but fine tannins. Still gaining fruit after a couple of hours - wish I had decanted longer, but sadly we drank it all. I'll give the next bottle four-six hours before we start drinking it.
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5/31/2020 - Bottledrainer Likes this wine: 94 Points
After a short time in a carafe this wine opened up nicely. Still some black fruit up front with a hint of smokiness and roasted meat. Elegant finish.
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4/22/2020 - Wineson Likes this wine: 93 Points
Excellent
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4/19/2020 - dino_mike Likes this wine: 92 Points
Wine is still on its say up. Nice spicy strawberry jam and a light smokiness. Length is fairly long and intense, so I will give it another year or 3.
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3/24/2020 - AdamHitchcock Likes this wine: 89 Points
Took about an hour or so to open up but really improved. There was a little bit of red fruit smell/taste remaining but it had clearly faded; balanced with black pepper and smokiness with some bacon and meat present. Medium body with smooth texture and not a long finish.
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3/13/2020 - rhapsody5435 wrote: 90 Points
开瓶香气甜美浓郁，像是歌海娜占大比例。尝了以后有所怀疑，口味有较明显咸咸的和泥土味。看了标，确实慕合怀特更高些，占40%。歌海娜也不低，占30%。也有希拉的辛辣和酸度特征，特别是收尾，占20%。最后一种Counoise虽然也是南隆河产区CDP的法定葡萄，但好像存在感比较低，更像是希拉的补充。有些烟熏味，空杯更明显。
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3/8/2020 - drrobvino wrote: 89 Points
Tasty 9 yr old Paso red blend of 40% Mouvredre, 30% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Counoise. 14.5% abv.
Black fruits, pepper, meat, coffee beans, sage, and dark chocolate.
Tannins are smooth and acidity is moderate. Drink now through 2021.
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2/14/2020 - tcarter Likes this wine: 93 Points
This wine really delivered tonight. The last couple Esprit de Tablas I've opened haven't wowed me, but this seems to be in a nice spot. As others have said, this wine is elegant, smooth mouthfeel, medium bodied, red fruit with smoky, earthy, and slight leather undertones. Best at pop n pour -- did not need a decant. Drank from a 375ml.
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1/11/2020 - CADomer Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking very well right now. Very pretty and wonderfully translucent and elegant. Bright red berries, sweet herbs, and black tea notes. Really enjoyed this bottle and can't wait for my next one.
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12/17/2019 - acidqueen wrote: 90 Points
Light body, soft texture. Smoky notes. Good with food. I still think this is time to drink now but with a few years at current plateau.
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11/25/2019 - tcarter Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drank from a 375ml.
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11/23/2019 - tward Likes this wine: 92 Points
All of the varietals are really coming together and pulling their weights on this now. Starting to really show some aged character at this point (*). No notes, from memory, I got roasted and aging meat notes, both dark and bright red fruits, dry leather, some cool mint notes, turned damp earth. If not for the label showing 30% Grenache, the nose to me suggested majority Grenache, but the body belies the 40% Mourvedre (and 20% Syrah). I think continuing brightness might be in part due to the 10% Counoise joining the Grenache.
This is aging gracefully. It looks like the CT drinking window through 2027 is spot on and perfectly stored bottles will go further.
Happy to have a half dozen+ more of these laid down.
* Stored in dark, good, but imperfect cellar conditions, in the mid-upper 50s to mid-upper 60s F.
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11/15/2019 - SmokeTaint Does not like this wine: 85 Points
over the hill, did not enjoy it
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11/13/2019 - brinko99 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Great showing... Still plenty vibrant, with red and blue fruits popping. Starting to see hints of tertiary flavors of loam and leather. A sip here and there will betray the 14.5% abv (2011 really?), but on the whole the wine is beautifully balanced.
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10/16/2019 - MicklethePickle Likes this wine:
Smooth, polished gent. Candied yet meaty, smoky nose. Developing bacon fat. Very sleek, round mouthfeel with good fruit. A certain elegance about it but plenty of stuffing. Drinking nicely now with no decline in sight. 4-13-16-8: 91/100.
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10/14/2019 - Doblk wrote: 90 Points
Intense and very ripe. Raisins and some interesting smoke. Great with grilled meat.
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10/12/2019 - MichielV wrote: 91 Points
W lamb chop from grill. Great bottle. Took an hour to really open up but this was yummy. Great fruit and structure lingering finish. Red fruit. Medium bodied. Yummy. Will live a few more years.
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8/10/2019 - saintly wrote: 91 Points
Smooth, and very easy to drink. light berry tones with a hint of pepper. Limited nose, but lovely to drink. A good blend and perfect wine to have with a light meal.
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7/30/2019 - acidqueen wrote: 90 Points
This was more ripe and less crisp than the last bottle a few years ago. You could feel the 14.5 abv more than last time. Still an enjoyable wine but I think time to drink based on this bottle.
Wild red berries, earth, resin.
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4/8/2019 - RajivAyyangar wrote: flawed
MNB: Paso Robles (Home (Noe st)): (blind)
Medium minus dull ruby color.
Nose: This is cooked - browned apple core all the way.
FLAW.
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3/29/2019 - lgomberg Likes this wine: 89 Points
3/29/19 with Santa Maria style grilled lamb over red oak. Dark garnet with initially restrained and tired aromatics which opened and freshened considerably after two hours in the decanter. Dark fruits, slightly earthy from Mourvèdre and Grenache dark spicy raspberry and dark flowers with a palate of same, with uplifting and defining acid and moderate length in the finish- finishing with raspberry and florals. tannins were pretty fine. Note to self: This needed the lengthy decant at cellar temperature to express itself.
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2/11/2019 - mpsocal Likes this wine: 92 Points
Well made wine. Nose isn’t great but the flavor is excellent. There are a lot of subtleties on the finish that are quite pleasant.
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2/9/2019 - srh wrote:
Decanted for ≈30 min; Private Preserve after Day 1 ONLY
“40% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 20% Syrah, & 10% Counoise fermented using native yeasts in open & closed s/s fermenters. After pressing, the wines were moved into barrel, blended, & aged in 1,200-gallon FR oak foudres before being bottled in May 2013. 14.5% ABV; 4,400 cases produced. We recommend drinking either between 2014 and 2016 or 2020-2040.”
N: Earthiness with borderline mustiness
P: MF body; Rndish entry with NICE, almost swtish frt, then a SHARPNESS that doesn't resolve.
Day 2: Some of the same aromas, but certainly no WORSE, & probably even better than on Day 1, + some RIPE frt now coming through. On the P the NICE frt is still met by SHARPNESS, though arguably < Day 1.
Day 4: While showing some oxidation, it's likely < than I'd have anticipated. ∑: Not rating, partially because it MAY have been flawed, or at the *least* I was a bit trigger happy on holding it into '20, as the winery recommends. :( [On the other hand, as I believe this bottle rec'd < "ideal" storage...] :(
(If interested, check the 4 scores on wine-searcher's Tasting Notes pg.) [As of mid May '20, wine-searcher still shows 4 sources @ $59-$70].
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12/14/2018 - agbanker Likes this wine: 92 Points
Still good blackberry, black cherry and pepper. Medium body smooth tannins, low acid. Still 4 - 6 years of life left. Paired great with short ribs.
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10/26/2018 - mtaczak wrote: 93 Points
this is gorgeous. sweet Grenache fruit and fine tannin make this accessible now, but the fine structure and perfect balance suggest this will go a while. super enjoyable now, even without decanting
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7/24/2018 - tb_baltimore Likes this wine: 91 Points
Continuing to improve, will look forward to last bottle of the four about a year ahead --
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5/13/2018 - drrobvino wrote: 89 Points
Consumed this bottle on the porch with some beef tenderloin, potatoes and asparagus.
Delicious, concentrated black and blue fruits, with a nice mineral streak and peppery notes to add complexity.
The tannins are softening nicely, and there is ample acidity to lead into a med+, bright finish.
Drink now through 2020 or so.
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4/10/2018 - acidqueen wrote: 92 Points
Had this side by side with 2004 Chateau de Beaucastel, and it did not suffer much in comparison (although the CdB was certainly better). A leaner wine than many, and this helped the comparison. It was softer and fuller than the CdB. Good cherry, earth, needs time still.
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2/12/2018 - BobMilton Likes this wine: 92 Points
A nice mix of black cherries and other dark fruit with an earthiness that keeps it grounded.
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2/10/2018 - jaumealaska Likes this wine: 91 Points
Opened one hour before serving. Clear garnet, this was in the same league as the 2011 Beaucastel opened earlier in the evening. Clear garnet color, spice and red fruit to the nose licorice and cherry and plum notes to the body, good structure and finish.
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2/7/2018 - JMFWC Likes this wine: 93 Points
Notes from Night 2 - Nose full of red fruit with a hint of sweet tart. Silky palate with good acid rounding out the bluish fruit on the palate and late hitting tannins. Finishes acidic but with lingering tannins. This still has some ways to grow.
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1/31/2018 - snowman94114 wrote:
Soft, with some meat. Not much in the way of tannins. Ready to go. 91 pts.
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10/7/2017 - tb_baltimore Likes this wine: 91 Points
drinking well right now -- has improved over previous review --
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10/6/2017 - brianofthevine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Man, this is pretty damn good and surprising. Black cherry, blueberry, and boysenberry fruit with a wonderful core of fresh herbs, sage, rosemary, forest floor, chalky earth, white pepper, and tobacco notes. Very well balanced wine, still has some firm acidity and nice long finish.
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8/17/2017 - Deux Chevaux wrote:
Similar to our note 12 months ago. Decent balance and acidity. We enjoy earthy, but still find this wine rather muted, indeed a bit muddy. Consistent results over four nights, served just above cellar temperature.
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7/30/2017 - TheRhoneranger Likes this wine: 93 Points
Absolutely delicious. Pop and pour!
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7/30/2017 - Blue Shorts Likes this wine: 92 Points
Popped and poured.
Nose of cherries, raspberry, black pepper, fresh herbs and a touch of earth. The taste is similar to the nose with a medium mouth-feel and well-rounded tannins. The acid level is perfect to pair with food and indicates that this wine will probably improve for at lease a few more years. The finish is medium-long and dry. 92+
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6/11/2017 - acidqueen wrote: 93 Points
Cooler vintage which shows. Still 14.5% but it doesn't show. More lifted, brighter flavors than 2009 and 2008 tasted at same time. Good cherry, berry fruit, with some menthol and violets. Excellent wine. Still time ahead.
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5/27/2017 - Beezleton Likes this wine:
Delicious. MGS. Big like barolo/tempranillo/zin/super tuscan. Served Tablas wine dinner with "porchetta style duck breast"
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3/10/2017 - tward Likes this wine: 91 Points
This bottle supports that change from "de Beaucastel" to "de Tablas". I'd have guessed this for a very nice Crozes-Hermitage or maybe a St. Joseph, not a CdP.
This bottle started with and maintained a pronounced smokiness in the nose along with some bacon fat, dried herbs, and a bit of meat (and some sort of berries?). Mid-weight body, some minerality, tannins not at all drying but seem to "be there" to hold this up for some time, medium finish. Contains its 14.5% abv effortlessly. This is elegant, both serious enough to pause and appreciate, but easy enough to drink that the bottle goes down quickly. By the end of the bottle (only a couple hours) it started to put some more depth in the body with less smoke, but in a good way. It was very nice from PnP to the last sip.
A couple of times I kind of laughed because I couldn't decide if this was something I should drink over the next year or so or lay down much longer term. I'm just going to have to peel off a bottle a year and see what happens. I'm guessing this has the ability to age really nicely into something almost Burgundian. I really don't know, just a guess. Nice effort here.
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1/3/2017 - bigredPA Likes this wine: 92 Points
The aromas of baking spice, underbrush, red fruit, and earth just draw you in. Drinking in a nice spot right now with resolved tannins and just very smooth. Love the euro-profile of this wine.
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12/8/2016 - WineGuyDelMar Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nice, well balanced GSM and a non typical Paso Rhone blend as it is more subtle and not the over ripe, over the top, high alcohol wines that are more typical. Definately more in the style of Chateauneuf Du Pape.
Very enjoyable and I always love Tablas Creek for the balance, soft tannins yet nicely extracted wine without being heavy handed.
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12/5/2016 - brinko99 Likes this wine: 91 Points
A bit awkward; perhaps in a dumb phase. More air or time needed. What did develop in the glass over dinner was very nice, clean, pure red and black fruits.
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10/13/2016 - BVal wrote:
Last tasted about a year ago (11/15); really no change.
Color: light-to-medium deep ruby core -> light/diffuse ruby rim. Decanted for 60+ minutes to let develop. Quite the savory bouquet of sage, rosemary, underbrush and black cherries. A very European palate in this vintage! Lighter on its feet than in the past but not suffering for it at all. Mineral driven with rose petals and plums, this displays the elegant side of Paso. Showing light to moderate smooth and elegant tannins, I think this is ready to drink now and into the next 5 (maybe more) years. Lovely balance.
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8/7/2016 - Deux Chevaux wrote:
Balanced, to be sure, and not at all excessive or extracted. And a good touch of earth. That's the good part. And yet, at this point at least, it's not especially complex, and instead rather monolithic -- or so it was to us over four nights.
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7/23/2016 - WineCenturyAZ Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drinking very well at the moment. Aromatic nose of black fruits, round balanced mouthfeel, palate of ripe juicy fruits, boysenberry, plum, black currant, hint of anise and cacao, long finish with a peppery spice and a hint of candied fruit flavors. Delicious came to mind more than once.
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7/9/2016 - tward Likes this wine: 93 Points
Still mostly bright and young but some aged character creeping in, this is so elegant and pure. I got lots of mixed spices(north African mix?) and also the smell of brush during the hot, dry summer and after some air, doses of mocha and a bit more weight and showing some dusty earth, a healthy amount of acid, some minerality. This drinks so easily it could be possible to casually miss just how well-built this is. It is not a big heavy fruit-driven effort. Glad I have a stash of this to check in on over the years ahead.
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6/14/2016 - vanpe003 wrote: 95 Points
Outstanding right from the pop. Rich without being heavy. A nice blend of fruit, earth with hints of gaminess and smoke. Long, resinous finish. Absolutely delightful.
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6/2/2016 - DaveZack Likes this wine: 93 Points
We received this beauty from Tablas Creek’s (T.C.) wine club in September, 2013. This always-90+ point red blend consists of 40% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 10% Counoise.
The bouquet is mostly minerally, chalky, and earthy, along with suggestions of dark fruits and dried herbs.
Sure enough, the flavor/fruit profile consists of about 80% dark fruits and 20% red fruits, such as plums, blackberries, black cherries, raspberries, red currants, and sour cherries. Next “up to the plate” are dried herbs and spices, especially black pepper and the usual dried herbs in an Herb de Provence. The third most prominent element are mineral elements, especially iron, as well as chalky and schist and stony/granite characteristics, thanks to T.C.’s soil and terrior. Because of the iron element, this wine would have been the perfect wine for Robert Downey Jr.’s character in the “Iron Man” movies. In addition to the delicious fruit, herb and spice, and mineral/earthy elements, this wine is beautifully and deliciously rich and creamy, most likely thanks to the oak barrels and/or foudres used in the aging and wine-making process, even though the oak element is not noticeable in the flavor or bouquet profile.
Typical for T.C. wines, this wine has amazingly food-friendly structural elements that will allow this wine to age and mature gracefully, beautifully, and elegantly for years (if not decades). The tannins and acidity are perfectly balanced and well-harmonized with the flavor profile that results in a fabulous red blend that is amazingly food-friendly and capable of aging for a very long time in one’s wine cellar. The depth-of-flavors are fantastic, with delicious fruit, spice/herb, stony/minerality, rich creaminess, earthiness, food-perfect structural elements, as well as a smooth, lingering, palate-cleansing finish.
This wine is drinking PERFECTLY right now and has the structural elements that will allow it to age, develop, mature, and transpire over the next 5-to-20 years. I used to only drink T.C. wines when they were in their “Peak Maturity” stage, but because T.C. blended wines almost always enter a “Closed” phase (usually after about 5 or 6 years post-harvest), I changed my approach and decided recently to drink all their white and red blends before they go through their closed phase.
I paired this wine with rib eye steaks spiced with Kosher salt, black pepper, and Herbs de Provence. This wine paired PERFECTLY with the steaks and would pair well with just about any/all red protein dishes, such as prime rib, lamb chops/racks/shanks, and Beef Wellington. If you’re a fan of rich, creamy, delicious, well-structured, complex red blends based on Chateauneuf-du-Pape, this Cali beauty would/should make you pleased beyond belief. If I win the next PowerBall Lottery, I will probably clear-out T.C.’s wine cellar. This red blend from T.C. is ALWAYS good and the 2011 vintage is fantastic. HIGHLY recommended!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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4/8/2016 - WG198 Likes this wine: 93 Points
The wine presents a clear garnet appearance. It smells of cherry, cedar and raisin.The cherry dominates the taste, but some raisiny hints are also present. The wine has a smooth texture with a light to medium body. It has a medium acidity and the finish lingers for a medium amount of time. We had the wine with Osso Bucco, a very nice pairing.
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2/27/2016 - BobMilton Likes this wine: 94 Points
Dark fruit with pepper and spice. Drinking really well right now.
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2/3/2016 - topher2411 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Youthful, but drinking well. Fabulous wine.
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1/7/2016 - MicklethePickle wrote: 94 Points
Excellent wine. Dark though not opaque ruby. Great legs. Nose is a beaut. Deeply fruited, with olive, lavender and garrigue. Very complex in the mouth, round, sexy, lovely. Can't believe this much forward fruit in a Tablas wine. This has blossomed and is drinking beautifully. 4-13-18-9: 94/100.
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12/27/2015 - mntebolt wrote:
Sunday Chiefs Game/Good!!
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12/19/2015 - Neras Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nose opens up after an hour woth berries and earthy tones. Fairly lightweight in a pleasant style. Nice aftertaste, but kind of misses out in the mid palate.
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11/30/2015 - jhberkeley Likes this wine: 89 Points
A bit light, but well balanced.
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11/30/2015 - Tom Warden Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nice Rhone blend...a little bit of everything, not too much of anything.
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11/26/2015 - Box57 Likes this wine:
PAL: 3
Had Thanksgiving 2015 - v. smooth
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11/18/2015 - BVal wrote: 91 Points
Last tasted about a year ago with almost no change except for perhaps a touch lighter depth of body.
Color: light-to-medium deep ruby core -> light/diffuse ruby rim. Decanted for 60+ minutes to let develop. Still quite the savory bouquet of sage, rosemary, underbrush and black cherries. A very European palate in this vintage! Lighter on its feet than in the past but not suffering for it at all. Mineral driven with rose petals and plums, this displays the elegant side of Paso. Showing light to moderate smooth and elegant tannins, I think this is ready to drink now and into the next 5 (maybe more) years. Lovely balance.
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11/14/2015 - mattdathan Likes this wine: 93 Points
Awesome - young, fresh, big and bold, yet with a silky elegance.
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10/23/2015 - worldbookkid Likes this wine: 94 Points
Unbelievably good for a 2011 from Paso. Decanted for 45 min and this wine exploded with dark fruits. Decent acidity to balance the richness. Dark cherries and notes of licorice. Delicious now and it had evolved so much compared to a year ago.
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10/15/2015 - kenhoeve Likes this wine: 94 Points
One bottle to confirm before holding the rest. This is exactly the wine I thought I would get after tasting at the winery. 2011 was a tough year with a late frost and resulted in miniscule yields. When I tasted through the lineup I was floored by the combination of restraint, acidity, and paradoxical concentration. It was a definitive departure from the typically more robust fruit of Paso in its youth, but that suits me just fine (and I do love the '07 EdB).
Pnp. Perfume, hard red candy, and sandalwood on the nose, bit shy at the moment. Hard red candy, juicy dark cherry fruit, garrigue, and ultra fine tannins that are coating. Palate is very compact at the moment with a lot of complexity. Game, smoke, and more florals jump in there. The acidity, high for this wine to be sure, is so perfectly integrated. No way to tell this from top flight Chateauneuf. It is absolutely perfect at the dinner table right now but will be a knockout in 5-6 years. 94-95
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8/31/2015 - mtaczak wrote: flawed
badly corked. even the non-winos in the room were turned off by the mildewed wet dogs that were jumping out of the glass.
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8/12/2015 - jawlz wrote: 88 Points
Closed off at first; definitely needs time/decanting to open up. Pleasant once it had enough time.
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8/9/2015 - SLOFred Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really nice wine that is still very young. All components are not yet fully integrated. To my palate, this wine had a lot of fresh grenache character to it. Right now, that is the wine that dominates to me. Had with a Cornas 2005 and the TCV was definitely the wine of the night.
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7/11/2015 - tb_baltimore Likes this wine: 90 Points
Outstanding, but still I was expecting more. I suspect that this will be better still in another year or two. It felt just a bit disjointed and at times bordered on a bitterness that I hadn't expected. Still, this strikes as excellent value and was fully enjoyed. Similar to other reviewers, it needs time to breathe and shows the quality of the winemaker in the blend.
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6/20/2015 - bajayngo wrote:
Showing well and similar to previous bottles. Very mourvedre driven with loads of graphite, chalk, blue and black fruits, some gravel and pepper. Crazy steal at $30!
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5/20/2015 - brianofthevine wrote: 91 Points
Red cherry and earth, lighter style. Nice finish.
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4/28/2015 - Kweickert wrote: 88 Points
Disappointed for the price range. But it may have been a cork issue.
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3/30/2015 - GoBlue2002 wrote: 90 Points
As others have noted, this is very old world and mourvedre dominated in style.
From 375 ml.
This opened up aromatically closed and gradually opened up over an hour and a half of drinking. This can be drunk now, but I recommend decanting this for an hour after opening if you can. The aromatics are the best aspect of this wine and they take some time to show.
Vivid Aromas of spicy raspberry, slate, and black cherry meld beautifully. The finish has reasonable complexity for a wine this young.
An overall solid wine.
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3/7/2015 - bbcc66 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Vinturi'ed & decanted for 2 hrs. Smooth, well-balanced bright fruit tastes.
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3/2/2015 - Jcdcccdc Likes this wine: 88 Points
Super GSM with nice fruit and full body. Very balanced and smooth finish. Wonderful with our tri-tip.
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3/2/2015 - bajayngo wrote:
Tasting more of it's youth in this 2nd bottle I had of this. Still the same framework of mineral, graphite, fresh brigh fruit and balance but a touch muted. Will hold on to my last bottle for a while.
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2/25/2015 - bajayngo wrote:
All I can say about this wine is WOW! I would have easily been fooled in a blind tasting that this was a good vintage of Gigondas. Beautiful notes of mineral, wild berries, graphite, iron, herbs de provance and dry desert air. Balanced on the palate but that juicy seductive note that makes you want to gulp. Crazy good value at $30 here!
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11/12/2014 - Motz wrote: 92 Points
By bouquet only, if this transcendent elixir were inserted into a flight of high-end Beaucastel wines, and other CdP Mourvedre heavy offerings, five will get you ten that it would confound more than a few blind tasters. The provocative bouquet features tremendous elegance and richness, reflected through ripe red and dark berries, ink, cooking herbs, herbal teas, white tea, juniper, savory, minerals, and crushed rocks. The wine's rich, fruit-forward character betrays its provenance, and overall, the palate, though exceptionally well crafted, does not match the bouquet's charm. This aside, this wine ranks among the very best Old World tributes I have tasted...and that heady bouquet...it resonates with the senses long after the last drops are imbibed.
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11/10/2014 - bbcc66 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Decanted 1 hr. Medium body. Nice balanced tastes of dark fruits. Good red wine for a warm day (or any day).
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10/19/2014 - WineCenturyAZ Likes this wine: 89 Points
Medium ruby in the glass, expressive nose of ripe fruits, drinking well at the moment, palate is balanced with nice acid and tannins to bring structure to the fruit forward style of this blend. Notes of red currant, ripe dark fruits, spice and cacao. Elegant comes to mind as finished the bottle.
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10/13/2014 - marcellevi Likes this wine: 92 Points
Bold and refined, rich ripe fruit-forward, spicy notes. Excellent.
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10/12/2014 - BVal wrote: 91 Points
Color: medium ruby core -> light/diffuse ruby rim. Opened and decanted for 90 minutes to let develop. Savory bouquet of sage, rosemary, underbrush and black cherries. Quite the european palate this vintage! Lighter on its feet than in the past but not suffering for it at all. Mineral driven with rose petals and plums, this displays the elegant side of Paso. Showing moderate tannins, I think this may still have room to develop positively.
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10/11/2014 - tward Likes this wine: 92 Points
Wow, drinking nicely already. Decanted ~2hrs. This is elegant with a solid core of fruit that is in near perfect harmony with firm but fine tannins and notable but background acid. Spices, dried herbs, and hints of 'dry forest'(?) and mint on the nose. This is no extract bomb, instead it's light on its feet while providing plenty of dark fruit, earth, and over time hints of mocha. It also put on weight over several hours of drinking / in the glass, so some elegance did seem to fade, but in its place was a more brooding, fleshy wine. Pleasant medium duration finish.
This delivers value at the price point, something I can't say for many California reds in the retail $50+ area. Seems like it can lay down for several years and develop.
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9/24/2014 - cubswinws Likes this wine: 90 Points
Excellent balance and tannic structure with long finish. Very nice now but capable of aging 3-5 years.
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9/23/2014 - kosinski wrote:
Excellent wine but needs at least two more years to mellow and balance the tannins on the finish.
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8/2/2014 - jfpwine Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very dense nose with lots of dark fruits with some leather notes. Very very balanced body. I was expecting a very young wine but it is very good now, with enough tannins to age gracefully. This is a great wine and I will definitely buy more. Highly recommended. Note: I did not decant.
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6/5/2014 - wilypod Likes this wine: 92 Points
Rhone Rangers DC tasting June 4, 2014
After the 2004, the best Esprit rouge I've tasted. I marginally prefer it to the initially more impressive 2010. Elegant, supple, savory fruit with a pronounced tannic and mineral backbone. Those Mourvedre tannins are indeed part "powdered sugar" in nature, adding depth and dimension without a trace of the saccharine to structure. The 2011 Rhone blends are underrated and evolving beautifully.
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5/13/2014 - JDRFoster wrote: 93 Points
Rich, ripe, with a silky Valentine's heart candy sweetness, yet nice mineral and acid in the core, and bright predominantly red fruit. Anticipated something too young, but really quite balanced, layered and delicious right out of the bottle.
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5/9/2014 - vin0vin0 Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is really coming around. Fantastic balance, really nice dark fruit, blackberry, plum and dark cherry. Fine grained tannins, lively acidity and a mouth watering finish.
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5/7/2014 - nzinkgraf wrote:
40% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Counoise. Mourvèdre is farmed Biodynamically. Potpourri aromas, finesse, still...selected lots for intensity. Lots of mineral. 14.5%, and a very old world appeal. Raspberry, exotic pepper, grilled meat (not too overt), this has the acid of the red cuvées for sure. Dried flower on the palate is so distinctive. A very impressive wine. The palate is more enjoyable than it is cocked and loaded for the only future pleasure.
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5/7/2014 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Big dark and mysterious.
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4/27/2014 - BigBoy_Sonoma Likes this wine: 93 Points
Blackberries, jammy fruit, black licorice, anise, pepper, cedar and smokey oak. A/A-
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4/24/2014 - BigBoy_Sonoma Likes this wine: 94 Points
Blue fruits, thyme, minerals, spice, cedar and finishes with a hint of smokey oak. Tannins are well integrated and the wine is well balanced. A
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4/2/2014 - isaacjamesbaker wrote: 90 Points
#RRSFBAY (Washington, DC): Ruby colored. Aromas of bright cherries, red currants, roses, earth and red licorice. On the palate, this shows fine tannins, fresh acid and silky-ripe fruit. Cherries and blackberries galore, with sweet chestnut, red licorice and earth. Braised meat and roses came out with time. Such freshness. Very silky and pure-tasting. 40% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Counoise.
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3/6/2014 - Vinophiliac559 wrote: 90 Points
Gamey, dark berries, pepper. Fairly big wine with high tannin, medium acidity, medium plus complexity. Dry finish with pepper and currants.
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2/28/2014 - therhonestore wrote: 93 Points
Deep clear garnet color. Young and aromatic nose of rich raspberry fruit, dark cherry, and black pepper. Dry with medium tannin, obviously a bit young, with flavors of blackberry, rose petal, raspberry, black pepper, and medium savory spice. Drinking very nice.
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2/17/2014 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 92 Points
Paso Robles wines (and a couple more) (Scott & Jo's): My first time trying this vintage. Whether it has changed style, or just the vintage, this comes off as more European and less exuberant than prior vintages. That is neither good nor bad and I think more vintage. Purple/ruby in color. The nose has boysenberries, black pepper, spice and a bit of grilled meats. Medium bodied. On the palate, nice juicy texture. Black raspberry fruit. Seems like it will develop and age just fine. Very elegant wine.
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1/18/2014 - jonahfactor Likes this wine: 95 Points
(Tasted at the winery) Absolutely lip-smacking delicious. Ruby red with firm legs that cling to the glass. Clearly made in a food-friendly style that shows freshness at first sip that reveals a more serious underbelly that will likely be enhanced over time. Although still very young, there's a lot going on in the glass, especially with some time. Blueberries, currants, hints of cassis and cedar. Alluring smokey notes in the finish. Will only get better over the next decade. Bravo!
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12/30/2013 - vin0vin0 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Somewhat on the lighter side for a Tablas Rhone blend. This is currently a bit angular with tangy acidity, black cherry and ripe strawberry. This is drinking very nicely now but I'm sure this will develop some darker notes and some roundness with time I'm very happy I have a few more of these laying down.
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12/17/2013 - BHANK Likes this wine: 92 Points
Really enjoyable wine, offering distinctive, yet a balanced taste that doesn't have any sharp overtones, but instead nice rounded flavors. Was struck by how much smoother and richer this wine was than other wines we sampled the same night - Bordeaux and a French Syrah. Of the three wines we tried, this was the hands-down winner.
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11/3/2013 - WG198 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Delightful young, but very drinkable Rhone-style wine. Opened and decanted about an hour before drinking.Lots of red cherry and raspberry. Nice weighty mouth-feel with a medium long finish. Served with grilled pork chops, fingerling potatos, and brussell's sprouts (probably not the best food match, I will admit, but it worked.)
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10/28/2013 - rplumbo wrote:
Red fruited. Drinks like a young, fresh CdP.
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10/25/2013 - khunchris Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nice rhone style. Very enjoyable
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10/17/2013 - Wineson Likes this wine: 91 Points
PnP. Really nice! Smooth, with some tangy undertones. An easy drinker.
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10/13/2013 - snaff Likes this wine: 88 Points
Somehow this seems a bit more muted than prior vintages. Complex red fruit is there and enjoyable, but not a great value IMO.
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9/19/2013 - vanpe003 wrote: 92 Points
Pop/pour day of delivery. Aromas of red fruit with a green freshness. A savory component as well, but not the sauvage of counterparts from France. Lighter on its feet. On the palate, medium bodied and well balanced with acidity. Not much in the way of tannins. Winery notes suggest drinking 2014-2016, or subsequently starting in 2020. I don't have enough experience with this wine to speak of its "dumb phase", but tonight it was a terrific pairing with turbo-charged flank steaks. For me, this is a very approachable Rhone blend this early in its life, and a wine that perhaps has a broader appeal for non wine geeks (given lack of big meat / game / rusticity) than some if its French counterparts. Could use a bit more depth, but I suspect that will flush out with age. 92 points for now with the right pairing, and I think more upside with the right amount of bottle age.
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4/27/2013 - Nutty08 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Bassins 28th Annual California Barrel Tasting (Mandarin Hotel, Washington, DC): Blackberry and toast, mint, mocha. High tannins and high extraction. Overall pretty balanced and high quality for the vintage. 90-92
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