2008 Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc (91 Points)

DATE CONSUMED

Saturday, December 24, 2011

VINTAGE

2008

WINERY/PRODUCER

Tablas Creek Vineyard

WINE NAME

Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc

TYPE OF WINE

Southern Rhone-style white blend

COMPOSITION

65% Roussanne, 30% Grenache Blanc, 5% Picpoul Blanc

SUBNAME/NICKNAME

N/A

VINEYARD DESIGNATION

Estate grown and bottled

REGION/A.V.A.

Paso Robles, California

ALCOHOL CONTENT

13.5%

PRICE PAID

$28.80

WHERE/WHEN BOUGHT AND/OR HOW PROCURED

Received from the winery’s wine club in October, 2009

BOUQUET

I took this bottle out of the fridge for about a half-hour so it wouldn’t be too cold, which should have helped with the wine’s bouquet.  Perhaps there was too much oil in the air (from the fried crab cakes), masking the wine’s bouquet.  What I could detect was some tropical fruits, peach, and melon elements, along with pepper and savory herb undertones.

TASTING NOTES

As consistent as political corruption and pro athlete sex and violence scandals, I knew a Tablas Creek blend would deliver (just a bit more elegantly than the politicians and pro athletes).  This wine exhibits FANTASTIC acidity and minerals, making for a wonderful food wine.  The wine is beautifully well-structured, very rich, smooth, and creamy as well.

Minerals are the most prominent characteristic; a wine critic would describe it as “wet stone” (like any of us has ever sucked on a rock or put a handful of wet pebbles in our mouth before!).  But as a slight defense of those wine critics, if I HAD ever sucked on a rock for any length of time, I would imagine that minerallity would be similar to that of this wonderful blend. 

Next in line are the spices, especially plenty of white pepper and savory herbs like rosemary and thyme.  There’s also a floral “thing” going on here that wasn’t terribly obvious with the bouquet but seemed to standout in the flavor profile.  And of course there’s fruit: kiwi, white peach, a variety of melons, and mango, with just a suggestion of pineapple.

I’m assuming most, if not all, of the fermentation for this wine took place in an oak vessel, based on the rich, smooth, slightly waxy and caramelly mouthfeel.  I also sense an earthiness one doesn’t usually associate with a white wine; that’s evidently Tablas Creek’s world famous terrior!

This is a very nice, food-friendly white blend and a marvelous alternative to the Usual White Suspects (Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc).  The flavor profile is deep and interesting with a long, elegant, lingering finish (which most politicians and pro athletes are sorely lacking). 

PAIRING SUGGESTIONS

We paired this wine with Arthur’s fresh crab cakes served on top of an arugula and fennel salad.  It was a match made in heaven (like a corrupt politician and a filthy/disgusting prison).  This wine would pair well with a wide range of foods because of its acids, fruits, and minerals, like just about any seafood dish imaginable (raw oysters, linguine and clams, baked/grilled swordfish, etc.), chicken pot pie, or baked garlic chicken.  Hell, this would probably pair well with prime rib (ok, perhaps I’m going a bit too far with that one……).

AGING POTENTIAL

According to TC’s vintage chart, this wine is at peak maturity right now.  I have the impression, however, that there isn’t a lot of life left in this bottle.  This type of TC blend could/would/should usually age well for years, but I sensed “the end is near.”  I could be way off on that, but I would recommend drinking this wine before the end of 2012 (and I have one more bottle of this beauty and will be drinking it soon).

SCORE

91

Q.P.R. (QUALITY-TO-PRICE RATIO) (POOR, FAIR, GOOD, EXCELLENT)

GOOD

WINERY WEBSITE

http://www.tablascreek.com/