Winemaker Notes
Blend: 39% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 21% Syrah, 10% Counoise
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2019 Esprit de Tablas opens with a youthfully coiled blend of black cherries and dusty rose complicated by nuances of spiced citrus and clove. It’s seamlessly silky in feel, nearly dense, with crisp mineral tones up front and brisk acidity invigorating its tart wild berry fruits. A gentle tug of fine tannin frames the finish as the 2019 tapers off long and fresh. The 2019 is a cool-toned and classic Esprit de Tablas that’s built for the cellar. I expect this to mature evenly for another 15 years or more. The 2019 growing season started cool but ended quite warm, leading to a compressed harvest, but the fruit that came into the winery was remarkably healthy and perfectly ripe.
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Wine Enthusiast
This blend of 63% Roussanne, 20% Grenache Blanc, 14% Picpoul Blanc and 3% Picardan showcases what the winery does best. Aromas of blanched almond, can died honeydew and coconut lead into a palate that smoothly integrates chamomile, dried lemon and rich hazelnut flavors.
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Wine & Spirits
A blend of about 40 percent mourvedre, the balance grenache, syrah and counoise, this is plush and lively, plainly in the red spectrum of fruit, with a zin-like directness and an earthy, mildly leathery grip of tannins.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A blend of 39% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache, 21% Syrah and 10% Counoise, the 2019 Esprit de Tablas has a pale ruby color and aromas of wild red and black berries, citrus peel, dusty earth and dried flowers. The palate is earthy and gently rustic in texture, with a juicy, mushroom-laced finish.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
