2003 Tablas Creek Panoplie

Shockingly good, the 2003 Esprit de Beaucastel Panoplie dishes out mature, yet still lively and fresh aromas and flavors of new leather, spice box, licorice, cured meats, black currants and licorice. This gorgeously full-bodied wine fills the mouth with fruit, is ethereally textured and has blockbuster length. At maturity, it should continue to drink nicely for another 5-8 years. Drink now-2021.

Drink Dates: 2013-2021

Author: Jeb Dunnuck

($95; 69% mourvedre, 21% grenache, 7% syrah and 3% counoise) Good dark red. Superripe but vibrant aromas of cherry, raspberry, leather, espresso and flowers; deep and three-dimensional on the nose. Sweet, lush and large-scaled with powerful red fruit and spice flavors complicated by torrefaction notes of mocha and chocolate that winemaker Neil Collins says are from the mourvedre (the wine was aged mostly in old demi-muidsWith aeration, this showed captivating leather and forest floor nuances that reminded me of Southern FranceFinishes with lush tannins and outstanding persistence.

Author: Stephen Tanzer

Issue: July/August 2005