A little over a week ago I descended upon Tablas Creek which is without a doubt one of the great wineries of California. It was decades ago that Jean-Pierre and François Perrin and Robert Haas purchased a former alfalfa farm that is set on limestone soils in the Adelaida Hills. This was the birth of Tablas Creek with the unique terroir that they felt would create a novel minerality. From the beginning they focused on Rhône-style wines made organically. The first plantings took place in 1994 and the first Tablas Creek Vineyard wines produced in 1997. The winery has been an incredible success since that time, reaching worldwide acclaim particularly for their Rhone style red and white blends. I remember first tasting these beautiful wines more than twenty years ago.
I hads a chance to taste an epic range of ‘Esprit Blanc’ wines with CEO Jason Haas. We had some really impressive bottlings including one from their first vintage. The 2001 ‘Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc’ White Wine (OB, 95) is still going strong and has at least five to seven years left. Marvelously complex and round, this is a tremendous effort. I love the new edition of this wine, the otherworldly 2023 Tablas Creek ‘Esprit Blanc’ White Wine (OB, 97) which is without a doubt one of the great white wines that you will taste on the West Coast. Learn more about these outstanding wines at https://tablascreek.com Here are the outstanding new wines by Tablas Creek.
2023 Tablas Creek ‘Esprit Blanc’ White Wine- This 2023 edition of the ‘Esprit Blanc’ is led with 48% Roussanne with Grenache Blanc, Picpoul Blanc, Bourboulenc, Picardy and Clairette Blanche. Standing golden in the glass, this is wonderfully earthy and nutty on the nose with roasted Macadamia nut and hay tones that combine with shads of honeydew melon suggestions of green papaya. The palate is silky and refined, this really has it all for a Rhone-style blend. Poise, texture, richness, salinity and flavor range, enjoy this total stunner over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2042- 97
2018 Tablas Creek ‘Espirit Blanc’ White Wine- This 2018 ‘Espirit Blanc’ has 66% Rousanne added with smaller portions Picpoul Blanc, Picardin, Grenache Blanc and Clairette Blanche. The nose offers really beautiful melon fruits alongside salted Marcona almonds and shades of beeswax with mossy undertones. The palate shows beautiful body and poise with great length and a silky mouthfeel. Gorgeous now, this has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2025-2040- 96
2014 Tablas Creek ‘Esprit Blanc’ White Wine- This 2014 has nearly all Roussane (72%) with 23% Grenache Blanc and a touch of Picpoul Blanc. The nose is exotic with papaya and One lady apple alongside toasted mixed nuts and suggestions of marzipan. This is right between primary in tertiary and in a perfect spot to be enjoyed. This is marvelously nutty and earthy stuff that still has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2025-2035- 96
2010 Tablas Creek ‘Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc’ White Wine- The 2010 ‘Esprit Blanc comes fro this cooler vintage that led to a late harvest. This edition is 60% Roussanne alongside 35% Grenache Blanc and the remainder Picpoul Blanc. This is showing loads of nutty tones on the nose alongside green papaya, banana and shades of cantaloupe. The palate shows bright tension and salinity despite its age. Offering great depth and viscosity, this is a marvelous edition of this wine that seems to be right in its sweet spot. Drink 2025-2032- 96
2001 Tablas Creek ‘Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc’ White Wine- This was the first ever edition of this wine. This is also the only vintage where Marsanne was blended in, as four Rhone varietals were blended in utilizing 6-7 year old grape vines. This is a total stunner, with mesmerizing depth and concentration as well as really good finesse despite its age. Marmalade and bergamot notes combine with honeycomb and walnut notes on the palate. Complex and highly delicious, this is right in its wheelhouse. Drink 2025-2031- 95