2018 Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc

The 2018 Esprit de Tablas Blanc is a blend of 66% Roussanne, 21% Grenache Blanc, 8% Picpoul Blanc, 3% Picardan and 2% Clairette Blanche aged in about 20% new French oak. The nose begins with soft floral perfume over hints of tree fruit, flint and beeswax. The light to medium-bodied palate is bright and juicy with an anchoring touch of texture on the uplifted finish. 2,400 cases produced.

The flagship white is the 2018 Esprit de Tablas Blanc, which checks in as 66% Roussanne, 21% Grenache Blanc, 8% Picpoul Blanc, and tiny amounts of Picardan and Clairette Blanche. Light gold-colored, with notes of mulled pears, lemon curd, white flowers, and spice, it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, terrific elegance and purity, no hard edges, and a solid finish.

Limpid, chartreuse-hued straw. A highly complex bouquet evokes fresh citrus and orchard fruits, buttered toast and pungent flowers, and hints of fennel and salty minerals emerge with air. Shows superb depth and energy, offering juicy orange, pear nectar, sweet butter and chamomile flavors that firm up slowly on the back half. Powerful yet graceful in style, displaying sharp focus and minerally thrust on a strikingly long finish that features lingering floral and orchard fruit notes.