Epoch 2011 Tempranillo

This month’s Worth a Splurge wine is a treat for those who enjoy the polished, earthy Tempranillo wines typically associated with the Rioja region of Spain.   The craftsmen of Epoch have offered their Paso Robles, California interpretation of this European classic wine in the form of the Epoch 2011 Tempranillo.  I recently had the opportunity to sample this robust red on two different occasions, once pairing the wine with aged cheeses and fruit and once pairing the Epoch wine with one of the absolute best bone-in filets that New York City had to offer.   May I say that the Epoch Tempranillo was magnificent in both instances, and my only disappointment is that my cellar is now empty of more bottles of the 2011 Tempranillo.  While I would normally pair such a terrific grilled steak with a California Cabernet or a fine Bordeaux, the Epoch’s richness and slight peppery qualities allowed the 2011 Tempranillo to seamlessly pair with the robust flavor of the savory filet.   I highly recommend such a pairing if you are itching to try something other than your favorite Big Red with a sizzling steak.  In addition to the peppery profile noted above, I detected a chocolate hint on the mid palate that follows the rich initial taste of cassis and red fruits.   Finally, the minerality of the Epoch Tempranillo foreshadowed a lingering, smooth finish that kept me reaching for the wine glass.   And the experts apparently had similar experiences with the wine, as Wine Advocate awarded the Epoch 2011 Tempranillo a hearty 95 rating after giving the barrel tasting a 94-96.   Simply a treat, wine sleuths.   Go forth and locate a bottle or three!