Epiphany Wine Company 90+ Point Reds

Tasting notes & discussion 61

Typically $32 - $37/bottle from Epiphany/Fess Parker
Vintage 2016 Syrah & Mourvèdre from Santa Barbara County, Vintage 2017 Grenache from Santa Barbara County
Scored 90+ points from sources such as Wine Spectator (Syrah), Wine Enthusiast (Syrah, Grenache), Jeb Dunnuck (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre), and Vinous (Syrah, Grenache)
Available for AZ; CA; CO; CT; DC; FL; GA; IA; ID; IL; KS; LA; MA; MD; ME; MI; MN; MO; MT; NC; ND; NE; NH; NJ; NM; NV; NY; OH; OK; OR; PA; SC; TN; TX; VA; VT; WA; WI; WV; WY
Sold by Fess Parker Winery & Vineyard, fulfilled by Wine Country Connect

About Epiphany
Founded in 2000 by Eli Parker, son of Fess Parker, Epiphany was created as Eli’s outlet for creative Rhône-based varietals and blends, but ended up becaming one of the leading producers of Rhône-based wines from the Central Coast. Considered by leading critics to be a flagship producer from the region, Epiphany has come to be distinguished as a trustworthy, quality-oriented and forward-thinking brand.

The Epiphone Epiphany

TASTING NOTES:
Syrah - “Dark fruit aromas of blackberry, blueberry and black plum drive the nose, followed by dried herbs, tar, smoke and BBQ meat. Blackberry along with blueberry compote dominate the palate, while notes of leather, grilled herbs, dark chocolate and scorched earth complete this full-bodied Syrah.“ (AbV 14.5%, pH 3.84, TA 0.512 g/100mL)

Grenache - “Prevailing on the nose are dark berry aromas with baking spices, vanilla and anise. Bright strawberry and cherry dominate the palate, rounded out with notes of white pepper, currant and dark chocolate.” (AbV 14.9%, pH 3.57, TA 0.558 g/100mL)

Mourvèdre - “Black cherry and wild black raspberry dominate the nose with baking spices, vanilla and an underlying note of scorched earth. Plum and black cherry won’t be missed on the palate with cinnamon, wild thyme and baking chocolate rounding out this heavy hitter.“ (AbV 16.1%, pH 3.98, 0.527 g/100mL)

BARRELS:
Syrah spent 21 months in French oak, 33% new. Grenache spent 17 months in French oak, 32% new. Mourvèdre spent 17 months in French oak, 50% new.

TANGENTIALLY RELATED FACT to help you make conversation over this wine:
Epiphone’s progenitor Anastasios Stathopoulos relocated to the US from the Ottoman Empire in 1903, crafting various stringed instruments like lutes and fiddles until his passing in 1915. When his son, Epaminondas, took over, they were known as the House of Stathopoulo. After World War I and a foray into banjo-making, the company would be named the Epiphone Banjo Company, eventually making its first guitars in 1928. Contrary to what I’d believed, rather than being a portmanteau of “epiphany” and “phone,” meaning voice, it was actually Epaminondas’ nickname “Epi” and “phone.”

PAIRS WITH (winery recommended):
Syrah - Hard cheeses like Gouda, grilled meats, vegetables, wild game or a nice beef stew.
Grenache - Braised or smoked meat, cassoulet, a classic charcuterie board.
Mourvèdre - Beef short ribs, pork shoulder, lamb or barbecue.

OR (really-going-with-the-theme-option):
Guitar lessons, or Greek food.

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42 votes