Winemaker Notes
Blend: 35% Mourvedre, 26% Grenache, 23% Syrah, 7% Vaccarese, 5% Cinsaut, 4% Counoise
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
A perfumed blend of dusty rose, raspberry, lavender and wet stone forms an inviting bouquet as the 2021 Esprit de Tablas comes to life in the glass. It washes across the palate with juicy waves of ripe red and blue fruit, leaving a mineral staining in their wake. A primary concentration combines with sweet tannins, creating perfect punctuation for the experience. The 2021 Esprit de Tablas is built for the cellar.
Barrel Sample: 95-97 -
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2021 Esprit de Tablas, still in barrel, is a blend of 35% Mourvèdre, 26% Grenache, 23% Syrah, 7% Vaccarese, 5% Cinsaut and 4% Counoise. It has a medium ruby color and opens with touches of tar that give way to black cherries, blueberries, oolong tea leaves, pipe tobacco and orange peel. The medium-bodied palate is chalky and fresh with a balance of concentrated fruits and pleasantly rustic nuances, finishing with generous earthy and spicy accents.
Barrel Sample: 94-96 -
Wine Enthusiast
Elegant layers of black plum, purple flowers, crumpled thyme and warm spiced cookie show on the nose of this blend of 35% Mourvèdre, 26% Grenache, 23% Syrah, 7% Vaccarese, 5% Cinsaut and 4% Counoise. The palate is still quite young and tightly wound, offering bright cranberry and red-plum flavors alongside chaparral and red-flower elements
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.
