Winemaker Notes
A deep brooding Mourvedre nose of loamy redcurrant and roasted meats, new leather and black plum. The mouth shows spicy licorice and nutmeg lift over baked plums and Mourvedre's signature plum skin tannin maintaining balance with the wine's mouth-coating texture. The long, richly tannic finish, with lingering flavors of wood smoke, roasted meat, and crushed rock, promises more rewards to come with cellar aging. We recommend that you drink either between now and 2023 or again starting in 2026 any time over the subsequent two decades.
Blend: 40% Mourvedre, 27% Syrah, 23% Grenache, 10% Counoise
Ideal pairings for this wine include game, dark fowl (i.e., duck), richly flavored stews, lamb, or any Asian preparation of red meats (i.e., beef stir fry).
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The translucent ruby-hued 2018 Esprit De Tablas offers some solid darker berry fruits as well as notes of ground pepper and violets. It’s medium-bodied on the palate, with a straight, focused texture, nicely integrated acidity, and the pure, balanced style that’s the hallmark of this estate. The blend is 40% Mourvedre, 27% Syrah, 23% Grenache, and the rest Counoise, all aged in foudre.
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.
