Wine Recommendation
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Wine Recommendation

Epiphany Cellars 2003 Revelation  (Santa Barbara County)

Epiphany Cellars

2003 Revelation
(Santa Barbara County)




Bankrolling a purchase of 714 acres in Santa Barbara’s prime Santa Ynez Valley with proceeds from his Hollywood career - he charmed the masses as Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone - Fess Parker changed the landscape of that region long before the Rocky Horror Picture Show-like Sideways cultists swarmed the place. Along with daughter Ashley and son Eli, he became the first major player in the area’s early wine industry, leading the way not only in bringing an international spotlight to the potential of the area’s wines but also in setting the standards for winery hospitality. The Fess Parker Winery and Vineyard now farms over 700 acres on four vineyards throughout the county, and produces Frontier Red, Parker Station, Fortress Vineyards, and this Epiphany Cellars label.

This Rhone blend (primarily Grenache and Syrah) is bright opaque ruby with slow-moving colored legs. On the nose it has notes of cranberry, mineral, mocha, and dark chocolate, not unlike the French Vin Doux Naturel, Banyuls, or Port. On the palate it is viscous and chewy with dark berry, dark chocolate, mocha, hazelnut, peanut, and toasted cashew notes.

Reviewed July 18, 2007 by Catherine Fallis.

 

The Wine

Winery: Epiphany Cellars
Vintage: 2003
Wine: Revelation
Appellation: Santa Barbara County
Grapes: Syrah / Shiraz (61%), Grenache (35%), Petite Sirah (4%)
Price: 750ml $35.00

Review Date: 7/18/2007

The Reviewer

Catherine Fallis

Founder and President of Planet Grape LLC, a company committed to bringing the joy of wine, food, and good living into the lives of everyday people, Catherine is creator of the “grape goddess guides to good living,” a series of books, television presentations, seminars, and e-learning programs. The fifth woman in the world to become a Master Sommelier, grape goddess Catherine Fallis is still very much down-to-earth.