Esprit de Tablas is a Rhône-style red blend, 40 percent Mourvèdre, 30 percent Grenache, 21 percent Syrah, with a dollop of Counoise, Vaccarèse, and Cinsault. Farming is organic and biodynamic and the winery is now Regenerative Organic Certified. The different grapes were fermented separately (with ambient cultures), and after pressing lots were moved to barrels for malolactic. The blend was assembled in June 2021, and the wine aged for a year in foudre before bottling in July 2022.
The robe is shiny garnet, quite limpid, and fragrant of red plums, raspberries, and black currant; it’s a nice mix of dark and light fruits. The palate is concentrated, with a plummy core, moderate tannins, and a nicely astringent finish. The flavors are more red than black despite the preponderance of Mourvèdre, but there is a dark cured meat Syrah note, especially mid-palate.
It’s both elegant and grippy, great for richer preparations that have earthy, savory flavors.
2020 Tablas Creek Vineyard Red Blend Esprit de Tablas Adelaida District Paso Robles
13.5% ABV | $65 (sample)
