2020

Esprit de Tablas

Adelaida District

$70 USD

Release Price

2022-2047

Drink Window

13.5

ABV

pH

TA

RS

From The Winemaker

The Tablas Creek Vineyard Esprit de Tablas is our flagship red blend, chosen from the best lots of four estate-grown varietals propagated from budwood cuttings from the Château de Beaucastel estate. The wine is based on the dark red fruit, earth, spice and mid-palate richness of Mourvèdre, with additions of Grenache for forward fruit, approachability and lushness, Syrah for mineral, aromatics, and back-palate tannins, and Counoise for brambly spice and acidity. Two new grapes (the dark, herby Vaccarese and the juicy, spicy Cinsaut) make their first-ever appearance in Esprit and round out the blend.

Growing Conditions

The 2020 vintage began benignly, with a cool spring that delayed budbreak to a little after normal, and continued below-average temperatures through July. Beginning in August, the weather turned hot, accelerating ripening and producing intense flavors. The state's terrible fires stayed well north of us, and the harvest finished early, under a compressed timeline but good conditions. The vintage shows concentrated flavors, noteworthy lushness, and lovely spice.

The grapes for our Esprit de Tablas were grown on our certified organic and biodynamic estate vineyard.

Nose

A pretty nose that speaks clearly of Mourvedre in its elderberry and blackcurrant fruit and its eucalyptus and soy marinade umami notes.

Palate

On the palate, black cherry and musky mulberry fruit, new leather, and a loamy richness that suggests a lovely meaty note will develop with time. The firm but ripe tannins maintain order and lead to a long, spicy finish. This is an Esprit that will drink well young, but don't let this trick you into thinking it won't have the stuffing to age.