Tablas Creek "Esprit de Beaucastel" Paso Robles 2005

Purple/red.

Deep, complicated nose - tree bark, anise, earth, red cherry jam and a load of spices.

Round with a good dose of textural sweetness (seems higher in alcohol than the 2004), with big red fruit (raspberry and cherry) coupled with a medicinal nuance and huge structure. More tannin here, it seems, than the 2004, with acid every bit as strong. Iron note late. Very young wine.

Day 3 - Not as fresh on the nose as the 2004 (just like day 1) - earthy, Bandol-central action - very deep. Round and sweet in the mouth, little structural impediment now. Light tannin in the finish, and seems to show a bit of heat. An enjoyable hybrid - Beaucastel/Saxum. The 2004 is better, largely because it is seamless, balanced. Never thought I'd say something like that...

$40 (44% Mourvedre, 26% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 5% Counoise, 14.5% listed alcohol)