2015 Block B

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
100% Syrah | Clone 174 | 100% Block B
Fermented in 100% new ½- ton French oak puncheons
Aged 19 months in new French oak barrels and puncheons (75% new)
Release Fall 2018 | unfined and unfiltered

 

Jeb Dunnuck | 98
The 2015 Block B comes all from block 13 of the estate Paderewski Vineyard and is all Syrah that spent 19 months in 75% new French oak. I wrote “awesome” more than once in my notes and this deep, backward, almost primordial Syrah sports an inky purple color, sensational notes of black fruits, charred earth, iodine, graphite, and beef blood, full body, and a layered, balanced, seamless texture. It’s another wine that’s up with the crème de la crème of the vintage. Give bottles 1-3 years and it should cruise for a decade. Drink 2018 – 2028; November 2018 (Jeb Dunnuck)

 

Wine Advocate | 97
Very deep purple-black color, the 2015 Block B Syrah has gorgeous violets, black cherry compote and lifted red and black currant notes with touches of licorice, baker’s chocolate, peppered salami and underbrush. Full-bodied and packed with muscular, energetic black fruit, it has a taut structure of firm tannins and a lively backbone, finishing long and complex. 312 cases made. Drink 2017 – 2038; September, 2017 (Lisa Perrotti-Brown)

 

Vinous | 96
(fermented in new French oak puncheons and aged for 19 months in new and used French oak casks of varying size) Deep lurid purple. Intensely perfumed black and blue fruit preserve, potpourri and exotic spice aromas, along with hints of woodsmoke, vanilla and candied flowers. Velvety, seamless and broad on the palate, offering deeply concentrated black currant, boysenberry, violet pastille and spicecake flavors that become livelier with aeration. Rich yet surprisingly energetic, finishing bright and alluringly sweet, with supple tannins, lingering florality and superb, spicy persistence. Drink 2025 – 2035; September 2018 (Josh Raynolds)

2014 Block B

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
100% Syrah | Clone 174 | 100% Block B
Fermented 40% whole cluster in stainless steel tank and new ½-ton French oak puncheons
Aged 18 months in new French oak barrels and puncheons (61% new)
Release Fall 2017 | unfined and unfiltered

 

Wine Advocate | 97
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2014 Block B Syrah is youthfully mute with notes of black forest cake, underbrush, toasted nuts and salted beef over a core of warm blackberries and preserved plums, plus wafts of Provence herbs and tapenade. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated with firm, rounded tannins and plenty of freshness, it delivers a long finish of earth and savory layers. 490 cases were made. – September, 2017 (Lisa Perotti-Brown)

 

Jeb Dunnuck | 97
Always the biggest, richest wine in the lineup, the 2014 Syrah Block B sports a deep purple color (although it’s not completely opaque) as well as serious notes of pen ink, graphite, charcoal, plums and crushed rock. There’s always a chalky minerality in this cuvée, and the 2014 has it in spades. Big, rich and unctuous, with good freshness and purity, and fine tannin, it’s a huge, wine that says balanced, lively and incredibly drinkable. Bravo! – August 2017 (Jeb Dunnuck)

 

Wine Spectator | 94 
Combines richness and polish, with great structure, offering plump blueberry, licorice and spiced beef flavors that take on complexity toward big but refined tannins. Drink now through 2027. 490 cases made. – (Tim Fish)

 

Wine Enthusiast | 95 | Cellar Selections
Quite thick in the glass, this bottling by Jordan Fiorentini shows a compelling combo of black plum, black currant, purple flowers and crushed limestone on the nose. The palate is soft, and the chalky texture is sliced through by buoyant acidity, carrying flavors of black currant and crushed herbs that will last a long, long time. Drink 2019–2035. – May, 2018 (Matt Kettmann)

 

Vinous | 95
Inky purple. Powerful, mineral-accented blackberry, cherry and spicecake scents, along with hints of candied lavender, cola and licorice. Seamless and expansive on the palate, offering deeply concentrated black and blue fruit and floral pastille flavors that become spicier and more energetic with air. Finishes sappy, sweet and extremely long, featuring a resonating blue fruit note and fine-grained, harmonious tannins that sneak in slowly. – November, 2017 (Josh Raynolds)

2013 Block B

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
100% Syrah | Clone 174 | 100% Block B
Fermented ~48% whole cluster in stainless steel tank and oak tanks, ½-ton French oak puncheons, 1-ton bins and ½-ton clay amphora
Aged for 17 months in 49% new and 29% neutral French oak barrels and puncheons and 12% clay amphora
Release Fall 2016 | unfined and unfiltered

 

Wine Advocate | 97
I think the 2013 Block B will end up being the best vintage of this cuvee to date. Always from block 13 in the Paderewski Vineyard (which got changed to block B due to the poor handwriting of yours truly years ago) and all Syrah, the 2013 was fermented with 48% whole clusters in a mix of stainless steel, oak barrels and clay amphora. It then spent 17 months in 49% new French oak, 39% neutral barrels and 12% in amphora. The darkest colored wine in the lineup, this blockbuster delivers pedal to the metal notes of black fruits, scorched earth, crushed rock and graphite. A big, full-bodied Syrah, it’s still impeccably balanced, has plenty of structure and incredible purity. It’s not for those looking for lightweight aromas and flavors, and will drink beautifully for a decade. – August 2016 (Jeb Dunnuck)

 

Wine Enthusiast | 96 & Editor’s Choice
This wine from Jordan Fiorentini is a stunning study in how to achieve extreme richness with elegance. Deep black cherry, violet, espresso, milk chocolate and vanilla pastry show on the nose. On the palate, chalky, so  tannins bring forth baked blueberry, star anise and clove  avors, with  oral tones and acidic li  on the
nish. Editors’ Choice. – April 2017 (Matt Kettman)

 

Wine Spectator | 92 
Smoky pepper and floral huckleberry aromas open to bold but balanced and complex flavors of dark chocolate, blackberry and licorice that linger toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2027. – (Tim Fish)

 

International Wine Report | 94
The ‘B Block’ Syrah is an intense and powerful wine, which begins with profound aromas of mocha, anise, crème de cassis and smoked meat nuances. The rich, velvety mouthfeel impresses as this is layered with dense, concentrated dark fruits which are well supported by a structured frame. Black Forest cake and crème de cassis combine with anise, sagebrush and creosote flavors that continue to build on the palate as this decadent wine enters the long, multi-tiered finish. Impressive now, yet I expect this to become even more compelling with a few years of bottle age. (Best 2019-2030) – December, 2017 (Dr. Own Bargreen, CS)

2012 Block B

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
100 % Syrah | Clone 174 | 100% Block B
Fermented in stainless steel and French oak puncheons
Aged 18 months in 44% new French oak barrels and puncheons
Anticipated Release Spring 2015 | unfined and unfiltered

 

Wine Advocate | 95
What I think is the top wine from the estate, the 2012 Block B is 100% Syrah from a single, north-facing block of limestone soils in their estate Paderewski vineyard. Aged 18 months in 44% new French oak barrels and puncheons, it sports an inky purple color to go with awesome notes of smoked meats, graphite, crushed rock, blackberries and plums. Thick, rich, unctuous and gorgeously textured, it’s a full-scaled, pedal-to-the-metal beauty that will knock your socks off anytime over the coming 8-10 years. – August 2015  (Jeb Dunnuck)

 

International Wine Report | 95
Epoch has crafted a heavyhitter of a Syrah here with their Paderewski Vineyard ‘Block B’ Syrah. Utilizing clone 174, the wine was aged 18 months in 44% new French oak barrels prior to bottling. This dense wine opens with aromatics of milk chocolate, crème de cassis, allspice, white pepper all taking shape around boysenberry jam. On the palate this full-bodied and multi-layerd, offering deep, concentrated flavors of wild blackberry preserves, black cherry compote, roasted figs, creosote, anise and mocha. While this intense syrah is not for the weary, it delivers an gorgeous velvery texture and opulent mouthfeel, which is absolutely impossible to resist. This is a decadent treat, needing at least a two hour decant for it to show its best. (Best 2016-2028) – May, 2016 (Owen Bargreen)

 

Vinous | 93
Vivid purple. Ripe cherry, blackberry liqueur and smoky Indian spices on the exotically perfumed nose, complicated by a suave floral overtone. Broad, lush and alluringly sweet, with flavors of black and blue fruits and spicecake that expand with air. Bright acidity provides lift and cut to the very long finish, which leaves behind a powerful boysenberry note. – Josh Raynolds (September 2015)

 

Wine Spectator | 92
Ripe, plumb and generous, with a smooth entry introducing rich graphite and mineral-driven blackberry notes. Maintains focus and structure amid the long, persistent finish, echoing the core flavors. Drink now through 2028. – December 2014 (James Laube)

2011 Block B
The Wine Advocate: Jeb’s Best of 2014

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
100% Syrah | Clone 174 | 100% Block B
Fermented in 100% French oak puncheons
Aged 17 months in 55% new French oak
236 cases produced | unfined and unfiltered

 

Wine Advocate | 97 + Jeb’s Best of 2014
The 2011 Block B is the star of the show. Made from 100% Syrah and aged 17 months in 55% new French oak barrels and puncheons, it possesses the classic chalky minerality that the cuvee always shows, as well as thrilling amounts of cassis, black raspberry, bacon fat and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, deeply concentrated and with incredible purity, it has a stacked mid-palate and fine tannin that emerge on the finish. Already approachable, I see no reason to delay gratification, yet it will have another decade of longevity to be sure. – August 2014 ( Jeb Dunnuck)

 

Wine Advocate | 94-96 (barrel sample)
Coming all from a single block of limestone soils, the 100% Syrah 2011 Block B is an impressive barrel sample. Also more refined and elegant than past vintages, it boasts rich, decadent notes of blackberry, charcoal, graphite, spring flowers and licorice as well as a full-bodied, rich and chewy profile on the palate. Aged in 55% new French oak, it has classic Syrah character and will have 10-12 years or more of longevity. Drink 2015-2023. – (Jeb Dunnuck)

 

International Wine Report | 95 + #67 Wine of the Year for 2014
It displays a remarkable pitch-black inky color and demonstrates intense power with incredible concentration and depth of flavor. It’s layered throughout with black fruits, blueberries, violets, spices, espresso, eucalyptus and minerals. This is well structured, and despite the tremendous magnitude of this wine, it remains balanced thanks to the underlying acidity that runs through its core. The finish is long and dense, leaving behind a generous coating of dark fruits and spices that linger on and on. Aged 18 months in in 55% new French oak and is already extremely delicious, but I expect it show even better in the years to come after some additional bottle age. Year after Year this is a remarkable Syrah from Epoch and winemaker Jordan Fiorentini. (Best 2016-2030) – April 2014  (Joe D’Angelo)

 

International Wine Cellar | 94
Inky purple.  Exotic, heady aromas of dark berries and chocolate liqueur, with intense violet and spicecake overtones.  Fresh blueberry, blackberry and fruitcake flavors are complicated by an exotic floral nuance that gains power with air.  Palate-staining and powerful but wonderfully balanced, finishing with building tannins and superb length. – November/December 2013 (Josh Raynolds)

 

Wine Spectator | 92
Dark and firm, with intense blackberry, road tar, cedar and black licorice notes.  Slow to unfold, but does so in a focused, meaningful manner.  This is tough to wrestle down, but worth it.  Drink now through 2024. – April 2014 (James Laube)

 

Rhone Report | 94-97 (barrel sample)
The most backwards and dense of the ’11s, the 2011 Syrah Block B is always a blend of 100% Syrah that comes from a single block of the estate vineyard.  Aged in roughly 55% new French oak, it delivers a crazy rich array of smoked plums, blackberry, licorice, earth, and game, and mineral to go with a full-bodied, pure, and seamlessly constructed palate.  Juicy fresh, and lively, it will benefit from short term cellaring, and have 10-12 years or more of prime drinking.  – (Jeb Dunnuck)

 

Vinous | 91-93 (barrel sample)
The 2011 Block B (100% Syrah) emerges from the glass with layers of rich fruit that fill out its broad shouldered frame nicely. Melted road tar, licorice, smoke and black fruit are all very much alive in the glass. Today, the 2011 is naturally quite compact, brooding and massive. It will be interesting to see what the next year brings. Epoch’s Block B emerges from a single parcel within Paderewski. It is Epoch’s most dense, full-throttle wine. – July 2013 (Antonio Galloni)

2010 Block B

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
100% Syrah | Clone 174 | 100% Block B
Fermented in concrete tanks, French oak puncheons and one-ton bins
Aged for 22 months in 56% new French oak
314 cases produced | unfined and unfiltered

 

Wine Advocate | 96+
The 2010 Block B is a spectacular Syrah that shows exceptional aromas of licorice-infused black currants, graphite, dark chocolate, meat juice and serious minerality on the nose. Despite the overall size and intensity here, it remains incredibly fresh and delineated. Full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, this thrilling wine is textured, pure, perfectly balanced and gushes mineral and wet slate like qualities on the finish. Give bottles 2-4 years in the cellar and then drink over the following 15+ years. Drink 2015-2030.  – August 2013 (Jeb Dunnuck)

 

Wine Spectator | 93
Bold, ripe, deep and fleshy, with juicy red and black fruits and floral scents, offering flavors of black licorice, spice and pomegranate. This is tightly focused and supported by rich, fine-grained tannins. The flavors sail on through the finish. Drink now through 2023. – Web Only (James Laube)

 

Rhone Report | 98
Even better, but made in a more fresh, elegant frame, the 2010 Block B is an absoluetly thrilling blend of 100% Syrah, aged in 82% new French oak, that comes from a single block of the estate vineyards.  Showing gorgeous purity and depth, with clean, fresh aromas of black currants, wet stone like minerality, pepper, spice, and chalk, it is full-bodied, perfectly put together, and balanced, with a blockbuster, structured finish.  My favorite of the lineup up and a complete wine, it needs 2-3 years of bottle age, and will thrill for over a decade.  – (Jeb Dunnuck)

 

International Wine Report | 96
This 100% Syrah (Clone 174) comes from a single limestone studded block of the Paderewski Vineyard – ‘Block B’.  The 2010 brings intoxicating aromas of freshly crushed black fruits, cream de cassis, spices, pepper, chocolate, espresso, beautiful floral and crushed stones. Layers of intense flavors continue to develop as this becomes even more complex the longer it sits in the glass.  Remarkable for its concentration and depth, yet wonderfully balanced and focused for such a bold, powerful wine.  The fresh dark fruits, spices and chocolate notes leave a long lasting impression as the mouth-coating finish lingers.  The Syrah was aged 22 Months in French oak barrels and puncheons, 56% new, and should have no problem continuing to age in bottle for decades.  This is a stunning wine from winemaker Jordan Fiorentini and her team at Epoch. Best 2015-2030 – April 2013  (Joe D’Angelo)

 

Vinous | 91
Dark cherries, plums, melted road tar, licorice and smoke literally burst from the glass in the 2010 Block B, 100% Syrah from a block within Paderewski.  Rich, full-bodied and voluptuous, the 2010 is a Paso Robles Syrah.  The broad shouldered style is all about power.  The 2012 was done half in concrete and half in oak. – July 2013 (Antonio Galloni)

2009 Block B

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
100% Syrah | Clone 174 | 100% Block B
Aged for 23 months in 43% new French oak barrels and puncheons
182 cases produced | unfined and unfiltered

 

2008 Block B