Tried this last night w/ my grilled artichoke gratin:
1. TablasCreek Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc Estate/PasoRobles (62% Roussanne/26% GrenacheBlanc/12% PicpoulBlanc; 13.5%; www.TablasCreek.com) 2009: Med.dark gold color; very strong Rouss/honeyed/honeysuckle/floral some nutty/toasted hazelnuts/oldRhonish light smokey/pungent/earthy beautiful complex nose; bit soft strong toasted hazelnuts/nutty/waxy/bit figgy very strong honeyed/honeysuckle/Rouss/floral rich/lush/ripe pungent/smokey/oldRhoneWhite quite complex flavor; very long/lingering toasted hazelnuts/nutty/oldRhoneWhite strong honeyed/honeysuckle/honeycomb strong floral/Rouss soft/rich/lush quite complex finish that goes on&on; showing lots of complex oldWhiteRhone character & loads of ripe Rouss fruit; should go another 10 yrs; would like a bit more acidity.
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. This is TCV top of the line white. It is now called Esprit de Tablas, no longer relying on the Beaucastel connection for fame. It is typically an attractive wine upon release, but, like Qupe and EdmundsStJohn, its true glories don't show up until it has some age on it. A wine you simply can't go wrong on buying.
Tom