2010 Epoch Tempranillo

Epoch's 2010 Tempranillo is fascinating. An exotic mélange of orange peel, smoke, pomegranate and iron flow across the palate in a powerful and distinctive wine loaded with personality. It will be interesting to see if the 2010 develops further nuances in bottle. Today, it is a decidedly powerful interpretation. The blend is 92% Tempranillo and 8% Grenache.

The 2010 Tempranillo comes across as quite harmonious, but young. Sweet floral notes, dark red fruit, tobacco and spices all take shape in the glass, supported by firm, insistent tannins. The 2010 includes 8% Grenache, which, surprisingly, works quite well. I can't wait to taste this from bottle.

Possibly the top Tempranillo coming out of California, the 2010 Epoch Estate Wines Tempranillo Paderewski Vineyard (92% Tempranillo and 8% Grenache that was aged in 82% new French oak) is a serious wine that needs to be tasted to be believed. Deep and inky purple in color, with a spectacular array of blackberry, plum, liquid mineral, chocolate, and spice-box, it has a full-bodied serious feel on the palate, with superb mid-palate depth, integrated acidity, and ripe, yet chewy and savory tannin that frame the finish beautifully. Given the fruit and texture, it is no doubt a superb drink now, yet it really deserves 2-3 years of bottle age, and has a solid 10-15 year drink window. Impressive all around and worth the effort to seek out!