This was a bottle I picked up from the tasting room in November after tasting it along side the '09. It blew the '09 away, much more elegant and accessible.
Nose was initially closed upon opening. After 1-1 1/2 hours, it really started to blossom. Looking at my notes from last night, I described it as “exotic” with a shifting bouquet of chocolate covered cherries, cinnamon, black pepper, rosemary, and tar. On the palate I got black mission figs, red berries, white pepper, tar, and hints of fresh herbs. Really rich in the mid palate, finish was medium-long with some apparent, although well integrated, tannins present. This wine paired well with peppercorn crusted pork tenderloin.
I’m definitely going to leave the younger Espirit de Beaucastels that have alone for a few years, age certainly treated the '04 well.
Matt