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Esprit de Beaucastel: Explaining the Name Change

02/01/01

A good name should be educational. The best wine names should not only give clues to what is inside the bottle, but also set a mood to let people know if the winery is being clever or serious, fancy or down to earth. Our previous wine names Clos Blanc and Reserve Cuvée did neither. The names were too generic, and the term “reserve” has been so corrupted by bulk wine producers that it is virtually meaningless.

We decided to focus our names on our connections: the Rhône Valley and Châteauneuf du Pape. The Esprit de Beaucastel names, even for people who don’t know Tablas Creek, suggest France, the Rhône Valley, and Châteauneuf. And we’re proud to have the participation of the Perrin family. Beaucastel has long been known as one of the premier estates in France, known for its organic viticulture, its tremendous attention to detail, and, most importantly, its wonderful blends of the 13 Châteauneuf du Pape varietals.

The Beaucastel name also has significant recognition in the market, and if it encourages potential consumers to pick up a bottle and read the back, or to ask a sommelier for an explanation, it has succeeded. So, we’re thrilled to be able to announce the release of the Esprit de Beaucastel and the Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc. These wines take the place of the Reserve Cuvée and the Clos Blanc as our signature red and white Rhône blends.

For our Grenache-based red blend, we chose Côtes de Tablas, reminiscent of the Grenache-dominated wines of the Côtes du Rhône. This takes the place of the limited release Petite Cuvée.