Tablas Creek Vineyard Espirit de Tablas Blanc 2011
The 2011 Esprit de Tablas Blanc is a classic Esprit Blanc, with aromatics dominated by non-fruit descriptors: mineral, sea spray, grilled bread, and a hint of non-toasted oak. The mouth is dramatically rich and broad, with the vintage's acidity showing in the front palate, rich Roussanne in the mid-palate, and a hint of tannin from the Grenache Blanc on the long, nutty finish. A fascinating combination of rich and very dry. Still a baby, this is a serious white to age for up to 15 years or more.
64% Roussanne, 26% Grenache Blanc, 10% Picpoul Blanc. Tablas Creek Vineyard, founded in the limestone hills of Western Paso Robles by the Perrin family of Chateau de Beaucastel and Robert Haas of Vineyard Brands in 1989, is dedicated to sustainably farmed wines from grape varieties traditional to France's Rhone Valley. The winery's vineyards has been certified organic since the end of 2003 and in 2010 they began the conversion to biodynamic farming. The Espirit Blanc is Tablas' flaship white wine, selected from the most compelling lots in their cellar. It combines the richness, structure, and minerality of Roussanne with the spice, acid, and green fuit of Grenache Blanc and the floral character and citrusy lift of Picpoul Blanc.