TN: Two Rhone-ish Blends

WINE TALK
1

The wines:

2004 ESJ Rocks and Gravel
2007 Beckmen Cuvee le Bec

The grapes aren’t listed on the ESJ, while the Beckmen is 44% grenache, 28% syrah, 20% mourvedre and 8% counoise. The Beckmen, perhaps because it’s younger, perhaps because of the blend and perhaps because of the vintage, is brighter, livelier and better with food. The ESJ may have a bit more syrah in the blend because it’s darker, plummier and softer from the lower acidity. Both are god wines in the upper-teen range, but I’ll take the Beckmen because the ESJ is almost a little ponderous and difficult to drink.

YMMV

2

Thats the first time I’ve heard of an ESJ being described in those terms! Cover your head. :wink: I have yet to be a fan FWIW. I am a Beckman fan. They seem to ave real nice fruit and get the balance of in the with big Central Cali fruit.

3

Agreeing with both about the Beckmen - one of my favorites in CA, much to Dietz’s chagrin. They have great fruit and talented winemakers, and when one is in the mood for a New World style wine that isn’t just an alcohol bomb and black as night, these are perfect.