2015 Estate Blend

Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards, Paso Robles
53% Syrah | 26% Mourvèdre | 13% Grenache | 5% Tempranillo | 3% Zinfandel
Fermented in concrete, stainless steel and oak tanks and 1/2-ton French oak puncheons
Aged 19 months in French oak barrels and puncheons (48% new)
Released Spring 2018 | unfined and unfiltered
1,345 Cases Produced

 

Wine Advocate | 93
Epoch’s entry-level red, the 2015 Estate Blend reveals aromas of ripe blackberries, currant leaf, cracked black pepper and subtle grilled meat. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a multidimensional mid-palate, good energy and a savory finish.  Drink 2018 – 2028.  – May 2018 (William Kelley)

 

Jeb Dunnuck | 95
What used to be the entry-level effort of the estate, the 2015 Estate Blend is year in, year out at an incredible quality level that it’s hard to think of the wine those terms. The 2015 is 52% Syrah, 26% Mourvèdre, 13% Grenache, and the rest Tempranillo and Zinfandel, all from the Paderewski and Catapult vineyards on the west side of Paso Robles. It offers a terrific bouquet of black plums, ground pepper, charred meats and charcoal. Full-bodied, smoky, meaty, and rich, it stays light and graceful on the palate, with sweet tannins. I’d happily drink bottles anytime over the coming 7-8 years. Drink 2018 – 2026. – November 2018 (Jeb Dunnuck)

 

Vinous | 94
(fermented in a combination of concrete, stainless steel and upright oak casks and aged for 19 months in French oak barrels of varying size, 48% of them new) Inky purple. Cassis, dark chocolate, licorice and espresso qualities on the deeply perfumed nose. Round and weighty on the palate, offering sweet dark fruit liqueur, mocha and cola flavors complicated by building floral and spice nuances. Shows impressive energy and lively cut for its brawn, and finishes very long and chewy, with building tannins and a strong whiplash of dark berry fruit. Drink 2024-2034 – September 2018 (Josh Reynolds)

2014 Estate Blend

Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards, Paso Robles
36% Syrah | 36% Mourvèdre | 22% Grenache | 6% Tempranillo
Fermented in concrete, stainless steel and oak tanks and 1-ton tbins
Aged ~18 months: 31% in new French oak barrels, 69% in puncheons
Released Fall 2017 | unfined and unfiltered
1,924 Cases Produced

 

Wine Advocate | 92
TComposed of 36% Syrah, 36% Mourvèdre, 22% Grenache and 6% Tempranillo, the 2014 Estate Blend had a deep garnet-purple color and nose of black cherry compote, black raspberries and wild blueberries with hints of dried Provence herbs, cloves, cinnamon stick and black pepper. Full-bodied, soft and voluptuous on the palate, it gives tons of expressive black berry preserves, spicy layers and a good long finish. 1,924 cases were made. – September, 2017 (Lisa Perotti-Brown)

 

Jeb Dunnuck | 93
Made from 36% Syrah, 36% Mourvèdre, 22% Grenache and the balance Tempranillo, fermented in concrete and aged in 31% new French oak, the 2014 Estate Blend comes from the Paderewski and Catapult Vineyard. As you’d expect with the name, it’s a perfect introduction into the wines of this estate. Notes of blackberries, toasted spice, cedar, and dried garrigue all emerge from this soft, deductive, beautifully textured red that has loads of charm and character. It’s certainly the most approachable of the 2014s, yet is going to evolve just fine given its balance and purity. August, 2017 (Jeb Dunnuck)

2013 Estate Blend

Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards, Paso Robles
32% Syrah | 25% Grenache | 25% Mourvèdre | 10% Tempranillo | 8% Zinfandel
Fermented ~17% whole cluster in concrete and stainless steel tanks, one-ton bins and 1/2 ton French oak puncheons. Many lots were cofermentations.
Aged for 15 months in 33% new French oak barrels and puncheons
Released Fall 2015 | unfined and unfiltered

 

Wine Enthusiast | 94
Sourced from the estate’s Paderewski and Catapult vineyards, this blend of 32% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre, 10% Tempranillo and 8% Zinfandel bursts with black- berry, baking spice, violet and Concord grape aro- mas. Framed by  rm but ready tannins, the palate shows blackberry, cola, white pepper and dried lav-
ender  avors. – April 2017 (Matt Kettman)

 

Wine Advocate | 92
The entry-level release is the 2013 Estate Blend and it’s 32% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 25% Mourvedre, 10% Tempranillo and 8% Zinfandel. Seeing lots of co-fermentation and aging in 33% new French oak puncheons, it’s juicy and forward, with plump and forward notes of plums, blackberries, pepper, underbrush and hints of violets. Full-bodied, sexy and textured, yet always classy and easy drinking, it should evolve nicely for 4-5 years. Incorporating all of the varieties of the estate, it’s a great intro into the style of Epoch. – August 2015 (Jeb Dunnuck)

 

Wine Spectator | 92
Plush and bold, but not shy on ripeness, this features a core of loamy tannins and bright acidity, maintaining focus. Delivers notes of blackberry cobbler, smoky cracked pepper, licorice and grilled herbs. Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Tempranillo and Zinfandel. Best from 2018 through 2027. – February 2016 (Tim Fish)

 

International Wine Report | 94
The 2013 ‘Ingenuity’ is composed of 54% Syrah, 21% Mourvèdre, 16% Grenache and 9% Petite Sirah which was largely sourced from the Paderewski Vineyard. This opens with a rich bouquet of boysenberry, mocha and sweet Asian spices. The combination of weight and tension here is outstanding as deep flavors of mocha, black cherry syrup, and black plum spice cake impress through the long finish. This is an intense, rich and decadent effort that will continue to drink well for many years to come. (Best 2017-2030) – December, 2017 (OB)

2012 Estate Blend

Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards, Paso Robles
45% Syrah | 24% Mourvèdre | 20% Grenache | 11% Tempranillo
Fermented in concrete and stainless steel tanks, one-ton bins and ½ ton puncheons
Aged for 18 months in 44% new French oak barrels and puncheons
1,349 cases produced | unfined and unfiltered

 

Wine Advocate | 94
Moving to the 2012s from bottle, the 2012 Estate Blend is flat out gorgeous, with layered black raspberry, spice, crushed flowers and licorice all present in its full-bodied, seamless profile. Made from 45% Syrah, 24% Mourvedre, 20% Grenache and 11% Tempranillo, it’s perfectly balanced, has juicy acidity, and chewy tannin that emerges on the finish. While it’s a full-bodied effort, elegance and refinement are the name of the game here. Enjoy it over the coming 4-5 years. – August 2014 (Jeb Dunnuck)

 

Vinous | 93
The 2012 Estate Blend is a good introduction to the Epoch wines. Dark red cherry, plum, spice and menthol flesh out in an inviting, textured wine to drink over the next few years. Even with all of its intensity, the 2012 possesses good energy and plenty of personality. The Estate blend is 45% Syrah, 24% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache and 11% Tempranillo. – July 2014 (Antonio Galloni)

 

International Wine Report | 93
The 2012 Estate Blend consists of 45% Syrah, 24% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache and 11% Tempranillo sourced from the Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards. It shows wonderful concentration and depth, delivering intense aromas of red and black fruits, followed by kirsch liquor, spices, pepper, violets and touch of licorice and black olive which all come together and leap from the glass. It possesses a full body with a wonderful round, velvety texture as it heads into the long persistent finish, where it leaves behind another layer of dark fruits and peppery spices. This Estate Blend shows wonderful “Rhône-like” characteristics and should continue to evolve over the next decade. Overall, a fantastic job by Jordan Fiorentini and the winemaking team at Epoch. (Best 2016-2027) – February, 2015 (Joe D’Angelo)

 

Wine Spectator | 92
A powerful expression of dark fruit, fresh earth, herb cedar flavors. The core of dusy, loamy earth, blackberry, fresh-cut cedar and commanding tannins doesn’t let up, staying powerful, deep and persistent throughout. Best from 2016 – 2027. – December 2014 (James Laube)

2011 Estate Blend

Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards, Paso Robles
37% Syrah | 28% Grenache | 19% Mourvèdre | 10% Tempranillo | 6% Counoise
Fermented in concrete, stainless steel, puncheons and one-ton tbins (many lots were co-fermented)
Aged 17 months in 47% new French oak
1,230 cases produced | unfined and unfiltered

 

Wine Advocate | 91
Looking at the 2011s from bottle, and always a rock-solid bottle of wine and a great entry into the style here, the 2011 Estate Blend offers up plenty of ripe plum, licorice, crushed flowers and violet-like nuances as well as a medium to full-bodied, balanced profile in the mouth.  Showing the cooler vintage with its overall freshness and focus, it’s beautifully done and should drink nicely for 3-5 years.  Drink now-2018.  – August 2013(Jeb Dunnuck)

 

International Wine Report | 92
The 2011 Estate Blend is comes from the Paderewski and Catapult vineyards… It is dense and concentrated with intense aromas of black fruits, mocha, spices and licorice with hints of spring florals and some new oak. The wine boasts a full body with a gorgeous rich, velvety texture that is wonderfully balanced. The dark fruits and spices linger on the long, plush finish. Best 2015-2021. – December 2013 (Joe D’Angelo)

2010 Estate Blend
Wine Spectator‘s 25th Top Wine in the World for 2013

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
56% Syrah | 26% Grenache | 11% Mourvèdre | 7% Tempranillo
Aged for 18 months in 52% new French oak barrels and puncheons
1,719 cases produced | unfined and unfiltered

 

Wine Spectator | 93
Combines richeness with subtlety and finesse, weaving together fresh earth, choclate-covered espresso bean and vivid dark berry flavors with touches of hazelnut, gliiding to a long, graceful finish.   Drink now through 2022. 1,699 cases made.  –  February 28, 2013 (James Laube)

 

Wine Advocate | 92
As with the 2011, the 2010 Estate Blend is a perfect introduction into the wines of the estate and will compete with a number of other producer’s top wine.  A blend of 56% Syrah, 26% Grenache, 11% Mourvedre and 7% Tempranillo, it has loads of chocolaty black fruits, licorice, tar, pepper and chalky minerality to go with a great palate.  Textured, rich and drinking well beyond most estate’s entry-level offering, with serious depth and focus, it will continue to impress for 5-7 years.  Drink now-2018.  –  August 2013 (Jeb Dunnuck)

 

Rhone Report | 92
Their entry level blend that comes from the different plots of varieties of the property, the 2010 Estate Blend is a perfect introduction into the wines of this estate.  A blend of 56% Syrah, 26% Grenache, 11% Mouvedre, and 7% Tempranillo, it has loads of chocolaty black fruits, licorice, tar, pepper, and chalky minerality to go with a great palate.  Textured, rich, and drinking well beyond most estate’s entry-level offering, with serious depth and focus, it will continue to impress for 5-7 years.  – (Jeb Dunnuck)

 

International Wine Cellar | 92
Inky purple. Spice-accented cherry and dark berry aromas are complicated by black tea, licorice and potpourri.  Juicy, incisive blackberry and boysenberry flavors are braced by zesty acidity and pick up a touch of candied violet with air.  Oak spice and floral notes emerge on the sweet, focused, gently tannic finish.  For a rich, ripe wine this is pretty suave.  – November/December 2012 (Josh Raynolds)

 

2009 Estate Blend