2016 Halcon Esquisto
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Tasting notes
The 2016 Esquisto is the Southern Rhône blend and checks in as mostly Grenache blended with 20% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah. Its moderately translucent ruby color is followed by a beautiful perfume of black raspberries, cherries, herbes de Provence, white pepper, and ample spice. It’s elegant, has firm tannins, outstanding length, and loads to love. Give bottles a decant if drinking any time soon.
Critic scores
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Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Halcón's 2016 Esquisto, a Grenache/Syrah/Mourvèdre blend is really a wine of place first and foremost, as varietal notes take a back seat to the wine's somewhat nervous, edgy feel. Sweet dried cherry, tobacco and dried flowers are supported by a backbone of firm tannin that gives the wine its shape and overall feel.
The 2016 Esquisto—a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah—is a little closed at present, opening with aeration to reveal notes of sweet red berry fruit, plums, Provençal herbs and underbrush that are quite marked by the blend's dominant Grenache component. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, supple and somewhat firm and compact right now, with a fine-grained but firm chassis of tannin that asserts itself on the finish. After 24 hours, this bottle really opened up, so I have confidence recommending it—but a few years of patience will be required to realize all its potential.