Scott Soren

9.6

This was incredible. Spanish varietal grown in Cali. Depth of color and flavor. Smooth on the pallet. Light tannins. — 7 years ago

Simon Weston

9.5

Luscious sweet red fruit, raspberry and strawberry, long fruity syrupy (in a good way) finish. Enjoyed with cheese and fudge. — 9 years ago

Jake Rubash

9.0

First Epoch of the season, just as great as the last vintage. I doubt our case will last too long — 9 years ago

Thomas Sorbo

9.3

Rich tobacco and leather. Awesome fruit and delightful balance. — 10 years ago

George

9.0

Had at OTTO. — 10 years ago

Johnno Harris

9.2

Ideal early autumn drinking. Light, bright, even and long. Perfect primary and complexity balance. Drink it up! — 11 years ago

Joseph Barsky

9.4

2011 Vintage. Paderewski Vineyard. 66% Syrah, :3% Mourvèdre, 1% Viognier. 15.7% alcohol. Velvet mouthfeel and big fruit forward wine that hides the alcohol. Best 2011 wine tasted in a while. — 8 years ago

Bryan Cloninger

9.5

2002 excellent texture brilliant rose color fine bubbles, elegant bouquet, and a taste like an bubbly rose epoch estate rose. — 9 years ago

Gregg Congleton

9.3

The authenticity did wonders with the 2012 varietal - hints of cocoa and cassis with ripe fruit and tannins. — 9 years ago

Brian McMahon

Sales Polaner Selections

9.1

Varietal Notes: Moscato Bianco, Fuilano, Cortese
Vineyard: Flora and Fauna loosely means the collection of plant and animal life of a certain epoch. This version is the collection of varietals from the cellar and also from Sam's ideas that make up the blend for the year. For 2014, The Bee compromises of roughly 60% Muscat Canelli (a.k.a Muscat Blanc, Moscato Bianco), 30% Friulano, and 10% Cortese. The Muscat Canelli comes from organically farmed, well drained volcanic soils on the southwest edge of Lake County. The Friulano and Cortese both come from Fox Hill Vineyard with soils that are well drained with high concentrations of gravel and sandstone.
Vinification: Winemaking starts in the vineyard, and Sam's preference is to find sites that require minimal to no work. In other words, the basics done right and well timed are all a great site needs. When that is the case, the winemaking becomes a simple game of guiding the fruit to be what it already is. For all three pieces of the blend, the grapes are picked at the first sign of ripeness. Sam time picking to when flavors just begin to emerge but the acidity and structure are still the predominant focus. From there, the grapes were whole cluster pressed, fermented via native yeasts, left on all the lees and solids, aged in neutral oak, and underwent native secondary fermentation. The blend was assembled in January leading up to bottling.
Production: 185 cases produced.
Notes: A dry, exotic, and aromatic white that doesn't stray to an over the top or sappy level is hard to find, and it was the rational behind the varietal choices and picking decisions. Macerated orange blossoms, wet river stones, spiced honey, ginger, gardenia, lemon peel, salty ocean air, and rangpur lime all balance in the aromas. The mouth shows great texture and weight without ever getting heavy. The finish is full of spicy acidity.
RATINGS
— 10 years ago

Dominick Zito

10

Fucking amazing!! — 11 years ago

Boris Mathiszik

9.0

Tasting at Epoch. Very nice. Elegant and subtle. Great value. — 9 years ago

Thomas Sorbo

9.2

Wonderful! — 9 years ago

with Grant and Jim

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

This is a first release for d'Arenberg "The Antropeocence Epoch." Hopefully, Delectable will correct. It's made from the Mencia grape. The nose reveals; blackberries, black cherries, black cherries, sweet tar and dry dark florals and espresso roast. M+ tannins, black cherries, blackberries, expresso, caramel, mocha, tough leather, soft spice-box, wood shavings, red roses, crushed dry rocks with good acidity but vey dry tannins at this young stage. Photos show the entrance to their restaurant and their tasting area in the cellar where we tasted. — 9 years ago

dan boedeker

9.4

Great Wine — 10 years ago

Lori Mike

9.1

Pours ruby in color. Much darker than expected by a Grenache- almost Syrah in color. . Bing cherry, wild cherry and earth aromas. Cherry continues in the flavor along with some smoke. Tannins are there but not over bearing provides a well integrated structure. Medium body with a very long finish. — 11 years ago

Hannah Grossman

9.6

Vines grown in old Pliocene epoch soil-fossilized seashells, which is what "lamelle" means. Toscana Bianco! — 12 years ago