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As has been previously reported on more than one occasion, we’re big fans of Tablas Creek Vineyard, and we finally got our first taste of this wine last week. The folks at Tablas Creek think that it’s flat out the best red they’ve ever made, which is really saying something, and all the big name critical publications gave it big numbers (95-97 RP, 94 WS and 94 Tanzer). We don’t do numbers at our house, but we did give it half an hour or so in a decanter and then we enjoyed it with home made saffron pasta noodles with a pork ragu.

2007 Tablas Creek Paso Robles Esprit de Beaucastel Rouge, 44% Mourvèdre, 29% Grenache, 21% Syrah, 6% Counoise, 14.5% alc., $50.00: Clean dark garnet color, with a lovely perfume of red and black plums and berries shaded with some pretty spice and subtle notes of leather and chocolate; flavors echo beautifully, full bodied and well structured, yet very smooth on the palate. Rich and luscious now, this will age effortlessly for years; the winery suggests 10-15 years or longer, and I have no reason to doubt their good judgment.

4000 cases were produced; Tablas Creek reports that 2007 was “the best vintage we’ve yet seen,” though yields were down anywhere between 15-30%, depending on the variety. Find this wine

Reporting from Day-twah,

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Related posts:

1. Blog Watch: An Interesting Solution for Slow-to-Ripen Grapes @ Tablas Creek
2. Red Wings & Red Rhônes: 2007 La Vieille Ferme Côtes du Ventoux Rouge
3. Tasting Tablas Creek in Charlottesville

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