2015 Zinfandel

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
97% Zinfandel, 3% Grenache
Fermented in concrete and stainless steel tanks and 1-ton bins
Aged 18 months in French oak barrels and puncheons (45% new)
Releasing Spring 2018 | unfined and unfiltered

 

Wine Advocate | 95
Containing a splash of Grenache (3%), the 2015 Zinfandel has a deep garnet-purple color and simply sings on the nose with bright black cherry, raspberry and rose petal notes, plus hints of orange peel, cardamom, hoisin and incense. Very big, rich and plush in the full-bodied mouth, it is a full-on hedonist’s playground, with tons of fruit and seductive texture, finishing long and perfumed. 319 cases were made. Drink now through 2030. –  Lisa Perrotti-Brown (September 2017)

 

Jeb Dunnuck | 95
The 2015 Zinfandel (there 3% Grenache in the blend) comes all from the estate Paderewski vineyard and offers a terrific, classic Zinfandel style in its plums, blackberries, cedar, incense, and exotic spice-laced bouquet. This carries to a full-bodied, elegant, layered Zinfandel that has terrific mid-palate depth, no hard edges, and perfect balance. This beauty picks up hints of earth and caramelized meats with time in the glass and is a thrilling effort that will keep for 10-15 years. Drink 2018 – 2033. – Jeb Dunnuck (November 2018)

 

Vinous | 94
Vivid purple. Powerful, smoke-accented aromas of black and blue fruit liqueur, violet and mocha carry strong Asian spice and vanilla topnotes. Sweet, expansive and energetic in the mouth, offering densely packed blueberry, cherry cola and spicecake flavors and a late touch of cola. At once weighty and energetic, revealing no rough edges. Shows outstanding finishing thrust and insistent florality on the long, subtly tannic finish. Drink 2025 – 2035. – Josh Raynolds (September 2018)

 

Wine Spectator | 93
Deeply layered and well-built, with black raspberry and smoky herbes des Provence aromas that lead to intensely flavored blackberry, licorice and pepper flavors, finishing with big but refined tannins. Best from 2019 through 2025. – Tim Fish (June 2018)

2014 Zinfandel

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
83% Zinfandel, 10% Syrah, 4% Grenache, 3% Viognier
Fermented in concrete and stainless steel tanks and 1-ton bins
Aged ~ 18 months: 20% new French oak and 80% neutral oak
Released Spring 2017 | unfined and unfiltered

 

Wine Advocate | 94
A blend of 83% Zinfandel, 10% Syrah, 4% Grenache and 3% Viognier, the 2014 Zinfandel displays a deep garnet-purple color and delivers pronounced baked raspberries, plum preserves and blueberry tart notes with hints of baking spices, dried herbs and potpourri. Very big, full-bodied, rich and seductive in the mouth, it packs in the spice and berry preserves, finishing with incredible length. Drink 2017 – 2028. – Lisa Perrotti-Brown (September 2017)

 

Jeb Dunnuck | 96
The 2014 Zinfandel is 83% Zinfandel, 10% Syrah, 4% Grenache and the balance Viognier, aged 18 months in 24% new barrels and puncheons (there’s 8% in concrete). It’s a drop dead gorgeous Zin that offers loads of black raspberries, kirsch liqueur, incense, violets and lots of chalky minerality. Rich, full-bodied, layered and sexy on the palate, with savory tannin, it’s a killer wine that’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face over the coming decade. – Jeb Dunnuck (August 2017)

 

Wine Spectator | 92
Bold and floral, with wild berry and garrigue notes, opening to plump and well-structured black raspberry, grilled fennel and smoked pepper flavors. Drink now through 2024. 507 cases made. – June 2017 (Tim Fish)

 

International Wine Report | 94
The 2014 Paderewski Vineyard Zinfandel is a dark, brooding wine, which immediately draws your attention. As this begins to unwind in the glass it releases aromas of black fruits, bramble, black tea and cigar box. On the palate this demonstrates a fantastic combination of dense fruit and underlying acidity, as it delivers tiers of black cherry reduction, black tea, anise and wet stone flavors which impress as they leave a lasting impression on the long, mouth coating finish. (Best 2017-2027) – December, 2017 (OB)

2013 Zinfandel

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
85% Zinfandel, 7% Mourvèdre, 5% Syrah, 3% Tempranillo
Fermented ~23% whole cluster in concrete and stainless steel tanks
Aged for 15 months 34% new French oak barrels and puncheons
Released Fall 2015 | unfined and unfiltered

 

Wine Advocate | 95
I think Jordan’s Zinfandel is one of the best in the central coast and her 2013 Zinfandel doesn’t do anything to change that belief. Incorporating 7% Mourvedre, 5% Syrah and 3% Tempranillo, aged 15 months in 34% new French oak, it’s a drop-dead gorgeous wine that offers lots of Zin flare in its black raspberries, blueberry, bramble, peppery spice and mint profile. Full-bodied, ultra-pure, elegant and seamless, it has fine tannin and should drink nicely for a decade. – August 2015 (Jeb Dunnuck)

2012 Zinfandel

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
96% Zinfandel | 2% Mourvèdre | 2% Syrah
Fermented in concrete tanks and one-ton bins
Aged for 16 months in 35% new French oak barrels and puncheons
269 cases produced | unfined and unfiltered

 

Wine Advocate | 94
One of my favorite Zins out there, the 2012 Zinfandel is another stunner that offers awesome blackberry, bramble, exotic spice, lavender, dried violets and licorice to go with a full-bodied, supple and sexy profile on the palate. It shows the up front nature of the vintage, yet is has building tannin, solid mid-palate depth and serious length, all of which tell me it’s going to evolve gracefully. Drink it anytime over the coming decade. – August 2013 (Jeb Dunnuck)

 

International Wine Report | 93
The 2012 Zinfandel, sourced from the Paderewski Vineyard is another superb effort from Epoch. It’s loaded with intense aromas of blackberry and blueberry reduction followed by exotic spices, earthy minerals and freshly crushed violets, which all come together and burst from the glass. The full-body is ripe, deeply concentrated and powerful, yet all kept in place with its fantastic structure and underlying acidity, which even provides a sense of freshness. The supple finish is layered and mouth coating, leaving behind a long lasting impression of dark fruits and spices. This is a wonderful effort and is drinking fantastic upon release, while also showing the potential to age gracefully. 96% Zinfandel, 2% Mourvèdre, 2% Syrah, fermented in concrete tanks and one-ton bins and aged for 16 months in 35% new French oak barrels and puncheons. 296 Cases made. (Best 2015-2027) – February, 2015 (Joe D’Angelo)

 

Wine Spectator | 92 – Top Wine of Tim Fish’s Recommended California Zinfandels
Plush and ripe, but with a solid core of loamy acidity and sinewy tannins.  Aromas of baked cherry, licorice and wild flowers lead to rich flavors of wild berry, bitter chocolate and toast oak.  June 2015 (Tim Fish)

2011 Zinfandel

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
80% Zinfandel | 14% Syrah | 6% Tempranillo
Fermented in 75% concrete and 25% oak puncheons
Aged 16 months in 30% new French oak
199 cases produced | unfined and unfiltered

 

Wine Advocate | 94
Superb, the 2011 Zinfandel offers up rich, voluptuous aromas and flavors of crushed berries, bramble, spice and wild herbs to go with a medium to full-bodied, downright sexy profile on the palate.  Upfront and ready to go, it should continue to shine through 2019. Drink now-2019.  – August 2013 (Jeb Dunnuck)

 

Wine Spectator | 91
Intensely jammy but nicely focused, with ripe cherry and toasty spice aromas that lead to rich, layered, lingering blackberry, carmel and espresso flavors. – January 2014 (Tim Fish)

 

International Wine Cellar | 93
Inky purple.  Explosive black and blue fruit aromas are complemented by smoky Indian spice and potpourri qualities.  Fleshy and broad on the palate, offering sweet blueberry and boysenberry flavors that are enlivened by juicy acidity.  Supple tannins give shape to the strikingly persistent finish, which strongly echoes the smoke and blueberry notes. – November/December 2013 (Josh Raynolds)

 

Rhone Report | 92-95 (barrel sample)
Also outstanding and a serious effort, the 2011 Epoch Estate Wines Zinfandel Paderewski Vineyard has loads of potential.  Made from a blend of 80% Zinfandel, 14% Syrah, and 6% Tempranillo that was aged in 40% new French oak, it delivers a deep, layered profile of plum and blackberry fruit, spice-box, licorice, bramble, and meat juice aromas and flavors to go with a full-bodied, fresh, and focused palate.  Very well done, with integrate acidity and firm tannin, it will require short term cellaring on release, and have over a decade of total longevity.  – (Jeb Dunnuck)

 

Vinous | 91-93 (barrel sample)
The 2011 Zinfandel is drop-dead gorgeous in this vintage. Rich, layered and deeply expressive, the 2011 stands out for its compelling, unique personality. In 2011, the Zinfandel is endowed with tons of Paderewski personality, while varietal notes lie more in the background, partly because of a blend that includes 14% Syrah and 6% Tempranillo. – July 2013 (Antonio Galloni)

2010 Zinfandel

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
83% Zinfandel | 14% Syrah | 3% Tempranillo
Aged for 18 months in 30% new French oak barrels and puncheons
129 cases produced | unfined and unfiltered

 

Wine Advocate | 93
The 2010 Zinfandel flows from the glass with layers of intensely perfumed dark fruit, mint, flowers, anise and spices.  Zinfandel seems to do very well in this site.  The 2010 is 83% Zinfandel co-fermented with 14% Syrah and 3% Tempranillo, an approach that works beautifully here.  This is a wine with tons of personality. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016.  – (Jeb Dunnuck)

 

Wine Spectator | 92
Rich and ripe, with baked berry pie and rose petal aromas and fleshy, layered flavors of black cherry, mocha, and toasty oak that linger on the finish.  A bold style many will love.  Drink now through 2020.  – (Tim Fish)

 

Rhone Report | 94
Also one of the top Zinfandel’s out there, the 2010 Epoch Estate Wines Zinfandel Paderewski Vineyard is a classic Zinfandel that stays classy and, dare I say, elegant.  Possesssing a deep purple color, it delivers knockout aromas and flavors of blackberry pie, mincemeat, spice, flowers, and hints of pepper on the nose.  This flows to a full-bodied, concentrated Zin that has no hard edges, superb freshness, and a well-focused, structured finish.  A single block blend of 83% Zinfandel, 14% Syrah, and 3% Tempranillo that was aged in 30% new French oak, it is beautiful stuff that will drink well for upwards of a decade, although I see no reason to delay gratification!  – (Jeb Dunnuck)

 

Vinous | 93
The 2010 Zinfandel flows from the glass with layers of intensely perfumed dark fruit, mint, flowers, licorice and spices. Zinfandel seems to do very well in this site. The 2010 is 83% Zinfandel co-fermented with 14% Syrah and 3% Tempranillo, an approach that works beautifully here. This is a wine with tons of personality. – August 2012 (Antonio Galloni)

 

International Wine Cellar | 92
Inky Purple.  Heady aromas of blackberry, blueberry licorice, and candied violet, with a spicy topnote.  Then dense, sappy and concentrated, with powerful dark fruit flavors given spine by juicy acidity.  Finishes long and sweet, with impressive energy and molten, fully absorbed tannins.  – (Josh Raynolds)

2009 Zinfandel

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
94% Zinfandel | 6% Mourvèdre
Aged for 20 months in 30% new French oak
209 cases produced | unfined and unfiltered

 

Wine Advocate | 94
The 2009 Zinfandel is drop-dead gorgeous.  Blackberries, blueberries, flowers, spices and leather are some of the notes that take shape in the glass in this sumptuous wine.  I especially admire the wine’s striking inner perfume and dazzling balance.  Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017.  – (Antonio Galloni)

 

Wine Spectator | 93
Bold and muscular, this is not for the faint of heart, but it’s so rich and well-structured that it hooks you, with aromas of blackberry and mocha leading to ripe, dense huckleberry, bitter chocolate and spice flavors.  Drink now through 2017.  – (Tim Fish)

 

Rhone Report | 94
A totally gorgeous Zinfandel that‟s possibly the best example of this variety I’ve tasted, the 2009 Epoch Estate Wines Zinfandel Paderewski Vineyard delivers a stunning array of black and blue fruits, bramble, licorice, exotic spice, and meaty aromas on the nose.  Despite the intensity and upfront nature here, this serious wine has both complexity and depth.  Full-bodied, perfectly balanced, with solid mid-palate depth, a seamless, decadent texture, and a finish that has you looking for another glass, this knockout bottling has everything you would look for in a Zin, and then some.  It should continue to shine for 5-8 years, if not quite a bit longer.  – (Jeb Dunnuck)

 

Interntational Wine Cellar | 92
Bright purple.  Intense aromas of dark berries, violet and woodsmoke, with higher-pitched mineral and spice nuances building with air.  Juicy, incisive and spicy in the mouth, offering fresh blackberry and boysenberry flavors and a touch of cola.  The spiciness repeats on the very long finish, which features notes of candied violet and rose.  The smooth tannins of this wine will make it drinkable soon.  – (Josh Raynolds)

2008 Zinfandel

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
100% Zinfandel
Aged 12 months in 60% new French oak barrels
114 cases produced | unfined and unfiltered

 

Wine Spectator | 91
Muscular and well-structured, exhibiting floral blackberry and bitter chocolate aromas that follow through to intense flavors of black cherry, toasty vanilla and black olive, all wrapped in ripe but firm tannins.  Best from 2013 through 2017.  – (Tim Fish)

 

International Wine Cellar | 91
Inky ruby.  Explosively perfumed aromas of blueberry, boysenberry, incense and a wild note of apricot. Smells and tastes like a syrah, offering sappy black and blue fruit flavors and notes of candied violet, apricot pit and succulent herbs.  Sappy and precise on the finish, which strongly repeats the floral note.  This is pretty irresistible right now.  – (Josh Raynolds)