2007 Tablas Creek "Esprit de Beaucastel" Paso Robles White Rhone Blend

92-94 points from Robert Parker: "The 2007 Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc, a blend of 68% Roussanne, 22% Grenache Blanc, and the balance other varietals. It exhibits abundant floral notes intermixed with notions of licorice, orange blossoms, lemon oil, white currants, and honeyed grapefruit, good fruit, medium to full body, and terrific acidity as well as freshness. Readers would be hard pressed to find more French-like wines in the Paso Robles corridor than those produced by Tablas Creek. This is a partnership between renowned importer Robert Haas (Vineyard Brands), one of the pioneers of estate-bottled French wines, and Francois Perrin, one of the owners of Chateau Beaucastel in Chateauneuf du Pape. Haas and Perrin run a serious vineyard operation with vines planted on the steep hillsides in pure limestone soils, not far from the Pacific Ocean. All of these cuvees possess distinctive personalities, good acids, and striking minerality. Even though they make very good single varietal wines, I still believe thleir strength lies in their sensational blends." (06/08) 92 points from Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Pale chartreuse color. Deep, smoky bouquet combines mango, pear, lees and dried flowers. Lightweight and precise, with fresh citrus and orchard fruit flavors and a late jolt of tangy minerals. Deep in flavor but elegant, finishing with good mineral lift and bite. This weighs in at a civilized 13.5% alcohol." (Nov/Dec '08) On the SF Chronicle's Top 100 of '09.