Since I can't keep my hands off the Rhones, I chose this 2001 Domaine des Escaravailles Cotes du Rhone Villages, Rasteau "La Ponce" to pair with an all-pork meatloaf and steamed squash main course. This was my first experience with this wine. Dark, fairly primary color, and a bigger-bodied density. Started rough with a sweet nose and finish of kirsch, coffee and vodka (my name for almost any hint of raw alcohol), and it reminded me of what I didn't like about the only two other Rasteaus I've had (from other producers) and which were consumed pretty much upon release. They were heavy and low-acid. This one, though, after about fifteen minutes in the glass, calmed down considerably and recognizable grenache tones of white pepper and bright red berry fruit emerged along with some herbs and a hint of leather. I ended up liking it quite a bit, and I don't need to be in a hurry to drink my remaining bottle.
Then, after a week and a half of drinking Southern Rhones pretty exclusively, we decided it would now be a good time to compare a 2000 Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel. I believe this was the first vintage of the Esprit, the "American Beaucastel", planted in Paso Robles by the Perrin Family from actual Beaucastel vineyard cuttings, and it was my first bottle of the wine. Pretty dark colour, purple-garnet, and no clarity to the wine in the glass. Smells and tastes of sweet fruit--oh, maybe there's a tiny bit of space and maple--but that's about it. There's really nothing here that presents as Rhone or shows any of the meat and olive character of French syrah. Not bad wine, but there was nothing really compelling here and as we dawdled over the wine with houseguests, we realized it got tired before we did. My guess is it's heading downhill from here.
I know I have more in the cellar and various vintages too--let's hope there isn't any more 00.