Tried these two last weekend:
1. TablasCreek Esprit de Beaucastel Estate/PasoRobles (38% Mourv/30% Grenache/26% Syrah/6% Counoise; 14.5%) 2008: Med.dark color w/ little bricking; strong plummy/Mourv/bit spicy/blackberry some strawberry/Grenache light pencilly/oak rather perfumed bit more SRhone some complex lovely nose; lightly tart strong plummy/Mourv/some strawberry/Grenache more SRhone/roasted smooth/silky/balanced light pencilly/oak rather complex flavor w/ light smooth tannins; very long/lingering strong Mourv/plummy/bit Grenache/strawberry smooth/seamless finish w/ light smooth tannins; probably near its peak but showing little signs of age; a bit more SRhone bit more Grenache/strawberry than the '09.
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2. TablasCreek Esprit de Beaucastel Estate/PasoRobles (40% Mourv/27% Grenache/28% Syrah/5% Counoise; 14.5%) 2009: Dark color w/ no bricking; more intense plummy/Mourv more spicy/blackberry/Syrah slight strawberry/Grenache bit toasty/oak more perfumed/Calif less complex lovely nose; lightly tart bit softer/lusher/rich strong plummy/Mourv/Grenache/strawberry/blackberry/Syrah more Calif in style bit more youthful less complex/Rhonish lovely flavor w/ light bit tangy tannins; very long/lingering strong plummy/Mourv/some Syrah/blackberry light toasty/oak finish w/ light tannins; not as complex/SRhonish & more Calif/lush than the '08; probably not yet at its peak; more youthful & Calif; lovely Rhone blend.
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. The Esprit is TCV signature red wine. It's a wine that (like the Blanc) ages amazingly well, despite not being particularly powerful & bombastic in its youth. I loved both of the Esprits but slightly preferred the '09 for its more youthful & Calif lushness.
This now called the Esprit de Tablas. Same wine/different name.
Tom