Winemaker Notes
The 2016 Esprit de Tablas Blanc shows a powerfully Roussanne nose, with notes of beeswax, lychee, white pepper, Asian pear, white flowers, and a little cedary spice. The mouth is rich and powerful, with flavor descriptors that make it sound sweet although it is absolutely dry: lemon pound cake, pear skin, honeysuckle, and sweet oak. The wine's rich texture is in full evidence on the long finish, while the citrus character from Grenache Blanc and a little saline minerality from Picpoul keep things feeling fresh. We expect this to go out two decades, gaining additional nuttiness and complexity over the years.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
An intense but balanced nose of dried daffodils, apricot pie, dried peaches, vanilla, dried nutmeg and a hint of dried citrus rind. Full-bodied with an oily texture, which is well complemented by some bright acidity and layers of stone fruit. Full and charming white. Drink now or hold.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Moving to a small retrospective of the Esprit de Tablas Blanc cuvée, the 2016 Esprit de Tablas Blanc (75% Roussanne, 18% Grenache Blanc, and the rest Picpoul Blanc aged in foudre) offers a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and textured style to go with youthful notes of ripe apple, buttered citrus, and some spicy, mineral nuances. It’s still a baby yet certainly offers pleasure.
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Wine Spectator
Pear, yellow apple and apricot flavors show restraint, with spice and a hint of caramel and candied lemon peel notes that linger on the supple, juicy body. Roussanne, Grenache Blanc and Picpoul Blanc.
Full-bodied and flavorful, white Rhône blends originate from France’s Rhône Valley. Today these blends are also becoming popular in other regions. Typically some combination of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier form the basis of a white Rhône blend with varying degrees of flexibility depending on the exact appellation. Somm Secret—In the Northern Rhône, blends of Marsanne and Roussanne are common but the south retains more variety. Marsanne, Roussanne as well as Bourboulenc, Clairette, Picpoul and Ugni Blanc are typical.
