2008 Epiphany Santa Barbara County Gypsy

About This Wine

There’s an old saying in the business world: Don’t mess with success.

For many years, the wine known as “Gypsy” has been among the most popular crafted under the Epiphany label, known for its medium-bodied palate, fresh fruit quality, and long, smooth finish. So what did Epiphany founder Eli Parker do when the 2008 vintage rolled around? He changed the “recipe.”

The good news is that he didn’t change it much. The even better news is that the change made the wine even better than its predecessors. “Gypsy” has traditionally been a California take on the great red blends of France’s Rhone region. But the cuvee always had included one non-Rhone grape: Petite Sirah.

For the 2008 bottling, the Petite Sirah was replaced by a variety associated with the Rhone — Counoise — joining Grenache, Mourvedre, Cinsault and Syrah. And the result is stunning. It’s a charming wine that proves another old business adage: Sometimes, change is good.

About Rhone Red

Tasting Notes

• Grape Composition:Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Counoise and Cinsault
• Grape Source:Santa Barbara County, Calif.
• Aromas & Flavors:Black Cherry, Strawberry Compote, Lavender, Black Pepper, Vanilla and Herbs
• Aging Vessels:500-Liter Puncheons and 228-Liter Burgundy Barrels (20% New) for 22 Months
• When to Drink:Now Through 2015
• Food Pairing Suggestionpot roast, polenta, or meatloaf.

Member Ratings

Expert Ratings

Recipes.

• 

  Cote De Boeuf For Two When you want a special dish to serve with a special red wine such as Cabernet Sauvignon or a rich Rhone blend, try this recipe. As its name indicates, it makes 2 servings. Cote de Boeuf for Two Get The Recipe
  

  Tuscan Style Roasted Game Hens If you're looking for a change from turkey or ham this holiday season, try this easy-to-prepare dish that matches well with both white and red wines. It serves 6... Get The Recipe
  

  Santa Maria Style Beef Grill Since so many wines that we feature come from California's Central Coast, we thought it would be nice to share a uniquely-Central Coast recipe. It makes 6 servings... Get The Recipe
  

  Pan Fried Lamb Chops This recipe, which makes 4 servings, features flavors that can be enjoyed with virtually any red wine. Turn it into a complete meal with a side dish jasmine rice. Get The Recipe
  

  French Lamb Shank Stew With White Beans This recipe, from "The Mauna Loa Macadamia Cooking Treasury," matches wonderfully with Malbec, Merlot Sangiovese or Rhone red blends. It serves 6... Get The Recipe
• 

  Smoked Salmon Penne Pasta In a world of "anything goes" food-and-wine pairing, we're always on the lookout for recipes that match well with either white or red wines. This is one such recipe, and it makes two servings... Get The Recipe
  

  Tomato Pesto Pasta A wonderful match with Cabernet Sauvignon, this recipe helps bring out the fruitful quality of the wine. It also matches nicely with other red wines, and serves 4. Get The Recipe
  

  Pinot Noir Sauce Try this flavorful sauce over lamb or prime rib, and serve with Pinot Noir, Malbec or a red blend... Get The Recipe