Tomato Soup & Sardines with Esprit de Beaucastel

Tonight’s supper inside at our dining table on another cloudy, windy somewhat rainy day was a chunky tomato-basil soup with some lightly smoked sardines in olive oil on crackers for Carollee and on a roll for me. Accompanying wine was a 2002 Tablas Creek Esprit de Braucastel - good ruby-garnet uniform color; bright earthy berry nose and flavors; rich mid-palate with still a bit of harsh tannins, adequate acidity; and a medium-long fruity finish. It was enjoyable with the soup & sardines. With time and food the tannins receded.

Then for dessert we had vanilla, hazelnut-chocolate, and dark chocolate Piroulines with - first Coquila liqueur, a pleasant mix of cream, light chocolate, and tequila; followed by Patron XO Café, a coffee tequila liqueur; followed by Godiva Chocolate Liqueur. The Coquila was nice with the vanilla, the Patron was nice with the hazelnut; and a mixture of Patron and the Godiva was best with the dark chocolate. The Godiva was a bit heavy by itself.

Temperatures never got above the low 70sF today and by dinnertime were mid-60s with a good breeze. A good day for soup inside.

I really have enjoyed that Coquila liqueur at your home. I’ve never been a liqueur fan (unless it’s Griottines or Framboisines), but this could turn me around. Especially when matched with vanilla Piroulines. YUM!

Nice to hear the '02 Esprit hasn’t died off. Thanks for your post.

The Esprit and the sardines sound like a nice pairing Dick.

The lightly smoked sardines in good olive oil weren’t particularly strong flavored or salty. They were quite good with the wine.