Tablas Creek Vineyard Esprit Rouge- 2022 (750ml)

The Tablas Creek Vineyard 2023 Esprit de Tablas is our flagship red blend, chosen from the best lots of six estate-grown varieties propagated from budwood cuttings from the Château de Beaucastel estate. The wine is based on the dark red fruit, earth, spice and mid-palate richness of Mourvèdre, with additions of Syrah for mineral, aromatics, and back-palate tannins, Grenache for forward fruit, approachability and lushness, the juicy, spicy Cinsaut, the dark, herby Vaccarese, and Counoise for brambly spice and acidity.

There is a warmth and invitation to the nose that is a signature of Mourvèdre, with notes of currant reduction, sarsaparilla, sun-warmed chaparral, and new leather. The mouth is both deep and well-delineated, with flavors of plum compote, salty brown butter, dates, bay, licorice, and cola. The tannins are cloaked in fruit and the finish vibrant and fresh.

97 points Wine Review Online

96 points Robert Parker

The blend of the 2023 Esprit de Tablas is 33% Mourvèdre, 31% Syrah, 26% Grenache, 6% Cinsaut, 2% Vaccarese and 2% Counoise, representing the closest percentage of the three main varieties in the cuvée's history. Poised and compelling from the outset, the nose seamlessly melds red and black fruits, fresh herbs and purple flower aromas with an underlying earth-tinged, petrichor quality. The palate is similarly multidimensional, dynamically delivering a suave yet snappy profile with juicy, mouthwatering acidity and palpable minerality that carries through the savory, refined finish. This is a reference point for the region and should enjoy a solid 15 years in the cellar. Matthew Luczy

95 points Vinous 

The 2023 Esprit de Tablas, tasted from barrel, is a deep magenta color with a spicy array of black raspberry, cedar chips and dusty rose. This is soothingly round and pliant with fresh acidity and a cascade of ripe black fruits. Edgy tannins amass through the finish as the 2023 tapers off long and staining. A blackberry concentration and a web of fine tannins frame the experience beautifully. - By Eric Guido on July 2025