The Tablas Creek Vineyard Esprit de Beaucastel 2001 is a blend of four estate-grown varietals, propagated from budwood cuttings from the Château de Beaucastel estate. The 2000 vintage was beautifully balanced at the vineyard: warm sunny days persisted through the ripening season, without the intense baking heat that can dampen the varietals' aromatics. Consistent warmth shortened the harvest, which began on September 18th with the Syrah, and finished with the last lots of Counoise and Mourvèdre ...