2021

Esprit de Tablas

United States, California

$70 USD

Release Price

2023-2048

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 2021 vintage came after a chilly, relatively dry winter, the exception being a single storm that dropped more than a foot of rain on us in late January. The cold, dry winter produced a fruit set with smaller clusters and smaller berries, and yields were down about 25% compared to our average. The growing season was ideal, with each hot stretch followed by a cool period that allowed the vines to recover, and that combined with the low yields to produce some of our most intense fruit ever and our highest average acids since the chilly 2011 vintage. We believe that 2021 has all the hallmarks of a blockbuster year.

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

Nose

The nose is deep and inviting, clearly Esprit: new leather, sweet spice, currants and dark chocolate.

Palate

On the palate, broad and rich, with notes of flourless chocolate cake, black plum, meat drippings, and a spicy, nutty mincemeat pie element. The finish is brambly blackberry, black fig, and milk chocolate, with chewy tannins that promise years of meaty development. Immensely appealing now, but also with the structure and intensity to reward time in the cellar.