A wonderful -- and surprising -- balance between sweet and savory, buttressed by balanced acidity. Likely the best necklace I've ever seen on a rose'. Minerals in the bouquet, with more minerals on the palate joined by citrus, peach pith, melon and lemon zest. Brilliantly done!

Straw colored with unbelievably viscous legs. Not giving up much in the nose. Hits the palate very sweet, but quickly recovers its balance. Lemon with quince, pineapple and some zesty nutty elements. Crisp (the grenache blanc), creamy (the roussanne) and complete (the entire package). Wonderful.

Best of tasting -- head and shoulders above anything we tasted in Paso Robles that weekend. A Syrah/Mourvedre/Grenache/Tempranillo blend that pushes all the right buttons. As with all of the other Epoch wines in this tasting, this was beautifully balanced. Purple/red with beautiful church windows in the glass and rich texture on the palate. A still-reticent nose, but quickly bombards the palate with a fruit stand of black, red and blue fruits -- blackberries, currants, blueberries -- backed up by wickedly good spice. A finish that lasted all the way back to the hotel. Very precise. With time in the glass it picked up burnished leather, autumn leaves and mulch, and it sweetens a bit. Let this sit in the glass for a while (or decant). Or wait at least until 2017 to uncork the next bottle.

A Syrah/Grenache/Mourvedre/Petite Syrah blend that shows almost black in the glass with dripping legs. Slams into the palate like a freight train but with ballet slippers that keep things in check. Spicy cranberry, boysenberry, kirsch and ripe peach notes. A full, yet refreshing, finish that reveals some cinnamon and licorice.