Is this wine ready for prime time drinking, maybe with a decant? I was thinking of paring it with the '03 Tablas Esprit just to try to compare/contrast styles.
We had a CT gathering last month and had the '98 Beau. and it was showing quite well, the tannins had dropped a bit, so I would think with a couple hours of air you would do well. Also had a '04 Pegau that needed a full 6-8 hours of air.
Opinions, opinions:
Showing well after short decant: Favorite Chateauneuf for current consumption? - WINE TALK - WineBerserkers
Fully mature, ready for business: Favorite Chateauneuf for current consumption? - WINE TALK - WineBerserkers
Needs several years to reach maturity: Favorite Chateauneuf for current consumption? - WINE TALK - WineBerserkers
Has been open since day 1: TN: '07 Beaucastel CDP - WINE TALK - WineBerserkers
In a great place but with many years ahead: TN: Surf & Turf OL Billerica, MA - WINE TALK - WineBerserkers
Yes, I did that search and was left somewhat confused, but indications are that the wine isn’t in a closed phase.
The Beau is going to crush the EdB size wise. But don’t underestimate the Esprit, it has riveting minerality, laser like focus, and lots of subtle complexity. Please do comment after your tasting, I collect both wines.
Very interesting and super fun tasting comparison. Both wines seemed perfectly mature to me, but (as expected) they also needed quite a bit of air to release the fruit.
The 2000 Beau is certainly darker in profile with an extremely well balanced almost seamless body. It starts out with some mourvedre funk, but turns to a more savory profile followed by beautiful cherry (kirsch) and blackberry flavors. The fruit becomes even more obvious on the palate. Very long.
The 2003 Tablas Creek EdB is a little brighter in color and has more raspberry than blackberry. The aromas are more obvious and immediate. As Kenny said, laser like acids make this wine very different and much livelier on the palate. This wine is also nicely long.
Both wines got better and better. We kept switching back and forth between the two and couldn’t decide whether one was clearly better than the other. I’d give the Beau the edge, but in fact the Tablas seemed the better wine with dinner.