2008 Tablas Creek "Esprit de Beaucastel Rouge" Paso Robles Rh̫ne Blend

The 2008 Esprit de Beaucastel flows with sweet dark cherries, flowers, tobacco and spices. It is a beautiful, classically built wine graced with striking inner perfume, lovely mid-palate juiciness and a round, utterly harmonious finish. Well-integrated, silky tannins linger on the close. This is a fabulous wine from Tablas Creek. My sense is that the wine should be tasted upon release and then again only after a number of years in bottle. In 2008 the blend is 38% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 26% Syrah and 6% Counoise. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2028. (AG)