Reviews

Saveur (Nov. 2004)
Decanter (Sept. 2004)
Wine Advocate (Aug. 2004)
Stephen Tanzer (Jul. 2004)
Wine Anorak (July 2004)
Wine Enthusiast (May 2004)
Wine Advocate (Aug. 2003)

The Tablas Creek Vineyard Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc 2002 is a blend of three estate-grown varietals, propagated from budwood cuttings from the Château de Beaucastel estate.

The 2002 vintage was tremendous: warm and sunny, with cool nights that prolonged the hangtime of the grapes. The warmth and long hangtime led to grapes that were concentrated, rich, and ripe, but with good acidity to balance the richness. All three white varietals were harvested roughly simultaneously through the second half of September, beginning with the Viognier on September 12, and ending with the last lot of Roussanne the September 29th.

The fruit was whole cluster pressed, and fermented with native yeasts. The Roussanne was fermented half in stainless steel fermenters and half in small oak "pieces", while the other varietals were fermented 100% in stainless steel. All the wines except a portion of the Grenache Blanc went through malolactic fermentation. The varietals were blended in late April, after which the wines were racked, blended, cold stabilized, and bottled in May 2003.

Updated Tasting Notes 7/2005: The 2002 Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc is showing aromas of ginger, honeysuckle, peaches and mineral, peak flavors of honey and pears, good viscosity, creamy texture, and a lingering finish brightened by crisp acidity and mineral notes. The wine is truly showing at its peak. Best served slightly chilled, but not ice cold.