Tablas Creek Vineyard

Esprit de Beaucastel Red Rhone Blend

9.1417 ratings
9.1100 pro ratings
Paso Robles, Central Coast, California, USA
Mourvedre, Syrah, Grenache, Counoise
Beef, Venison, Salami & Prosciutto, Chili & Hot Spicy, Potato, Exotic Spices, Lamb, White Rice, Baking Spices, Herbs, Pasta, Chicken, Mushrooms, Pungent Cheese, Turkey, Tomato-Based, Soft Cheese, Pork, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Duck, Onion, Shallot, Garlic
Top Notes For
Jake Hajer

Maybe bottle variation, but not aging well. Simple with odd fruit.

Maybe bottle variation, but not aging well. Simple with odd fruit.

Apr 17th, 2023
Holly Orchard

Certified Sommelier, President of Savvy Cellar Wines Inc.

9.3

Wow! Was not expecting such a wonderful gem. Full of earthy funk, leather, tart red fruits, smoke and almost a spritzy, acid liveliness. This is the type of wine that reminds me why I joined the club to begin with. I never would have guessed it as a California wine if tasted blind. Lots of Old World goodness, even if a touch higher in alcohol. I thoroughly enjoyed this charming blend.

Wow! Was not expecting such a wonderful gem. Full of earthy funk, leather, tart red fruits, smoke and almost a spritzy, acid liveliness. This is the type of wine that reminds me why I joined the club to begin with. I never would have guessed it as a California wine if tasted blind. Lots of Old World goodness, even if a touch higher in alcohol. I thoroughly enjoyed this charming blend.

Sep 1st, 2020
Lyn Farmer

At 11 years of age this wine is really impressive. 38% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache, 26% Syrah and 6% Cunoise it has wonderful complexity. Still a lot of red fruit - strawberry, red currant especially, a welcome tertiary note of leather and good acidity with very mellow silky tannins. Lovely bottle

At 11 years of age this wine is really impressive. 38% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache, 26% Syrah and 6% Cunoise it has wonderful complexity. Still a lot of red fruit - strawberry, red currant especially, a welcome tertiary note of leather and good acidity with very mellow silky tannins. Lovely bottle

Feb 18th, 2020
Shay A
8.9

January Wednesday Wine Committees are always a great as the red wines are required to be 11yrs old, making all of the reds 2008 vintage. 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert wine were served today, all blind.

This was heavily oxidized on the glass. More brown than red. The wine itself seemed to be fine, but came across really tired. Didn’t get any black pepper here, nor spicy red fruit. Mainly clay, old cherry and some tobacco. I guessed burgundy.

January Wednesday Wine Committees are always a great as the red wines are required to be 11yrs old, making all of the reds 2008 vintage. 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert wine were served today, all blind.

This was heavily oxidized on the glass. More brown than red. The wine itself seemed to be fine, but came across really tired. Didn’t get any black pepper here, nor spicy red fruit. Mainly clay, old cherry and some tobacco. I guessed burgundy.

Jan 2nd, 2019
Adam Kincaid

Beautiful 10 year old magnum specimen. Dark and earthy soil-like aromas, like crushed and ripe plums. Medium to heavy body. Dark fruits mixed with cigar and soil. I get some great dark chocolate notes, nothing sweet of course. Brooding but not depressed, like a serious conversation with an old friend but some fun inside jokes to lighten it up. Could use more of this in my life.

Beautiful 10 year old magnum specimen. Dark and earthy soil-like aromas, like crushed and ripe plums. Medium to heavy body. Dark fruits mixed with cigar and soil. I get some great dark chocolate notes, nothing sweet of course. Brooding but not depressed, like a serious conversation with an old friend but some fun inside jokes to lighten it up. Could use more of this in my life.

Nov 23rd, 2018
Patrick Derdeyn

Drinking great now, but just cracked a window on its potential. This is California rhone showing at its best, still plenty of sunshine but with earth and garrigue just starting to show in this wine that will develop more in time.

Drinking great now, but just cracked a window on its potential. This is California rhone showing at its best, still plenty of sunshine but with earth and garrigue just starting to show in this wine that will develop more in time.

Sep 16th, 2018
Shawn R

Tomato and a carbonated feeling in the mouth.

Tomato and a carbonated feeling in the mouth.

Feb 24th, 2018
Andrew S

Dark fruits with some raisin, spices, and a hint of fresh cigar.

Dark fruits with some raisin, spices, and a hint of fresh cigar.

Nov 17th, 2017
Shawn R

Keeping the Central Coast theme going this 07 was rocking.

Keeping the Central Coast theme going this 07 was rocking.

Oct 15th, 2017
Meghan Hamilton

Wine Educator Joseph Phelps Vineyards

9.4

All kinds of awesomely well balanced. Blackberry, blueberry, sweet violets, pomegranate, sweet cherries and licorice.

All kinds of awesomely well balanced. Blackberry, blueberry, sweet violets, pomegranate, sweet cherries and licorice.

1 person found it helpfulSep 24th, 2016