2012 Epoch Sensibility

2012 was the first in a streak of warm drought years in California, and winemaker Jordan Fiorentini says she began backing off on the use of whole cluster after this vintage. It was also one of the first years she started to employ some fermentation in concrete, and the purity of the Epoch wines ticks up in this vintage. The use of concrete, she notes, is "a cool play on that warm vintage." The 2012 Sensibility Grenache, from the Paderewski and Catapult vineyards, was harvested September 27-29 and fermented in concrete tanks. It was made with 40% whole cluster and aged 16 months in concrete eggs and neutral puncheons. Medium ruby, it's drinking beautifully right now, with concentrated scents of red and black cherries, dried flowers, dark spices, forest floor and coffee beans. The palate is supple and silky, uplifted and floral, and it finishes with lovely perfume. It's drinking beautifully right now and will continue to hold in bottle another 5-8 years. 274 cases were made.