Paderewski Vineyard
Jeb Dunnuck | 93-95
Classic notes of orange blossom, candied citrus, white pepper, and spicy red and blue fruits dominate the 2019 Zinfandel. This full-bodied beauty has a pretty, lively style, ripe tannins, and a juicy finish. -September 2020 (Jeb Dunnuck)
Paderewski Vineyard
Wine Advocate | 96
The 2018 Zinfandel is a gorgeous wine, blended with 9% Syrah and 1% Viognier and aged 18 months in concrete and neutral oak. It has a medium to deep ruby-purple color, and the nose explodes to tricolored berry fruits and loads of peachy nuance, with spicy and earthy undertones. The palate is full-bodied with explosive, juicy, layered fruits, a kaleidoscope of flavor in an elegant, mega juicy frame, and it finishes very long. 385 cases produced. -October 2020 (Erin Brooks)
Jeb Dunnuck | 95
The 2018 Zinfandel is a head turner from this estate, which turns out an incredibly compelling example of Zinfandel. Offering loads of dark currant and cassis fruits as well as more herbal and smoky nuances, it’s medium to full-bodied, has a layered texture, terrific balance, and enough ripe tannins to keep it drinking nicely for a solid decade. -September 2020 (Jeb Dunnuck)
100% Paderewski Vineyard
91% Zinfandel, 9% Syrah
Fermented in stainless steel tanks and 1-ton bins
Aged 18 month in French oak mid-sized barrels and puncheons (35% new)
Released Spring 2020
456 Cases Produced
Vinous | 95
Bright purple. Intensely perfumed aromas of ripe black/blue fruits and potpourri take on an exotic spice nuance and a hint of incense with air. Deeply concentrated blueberry, cherry, spice-cake and floral pastille flavors are complemented by suggestions of candied licorice and white pepper that emerge on the back half. Finishes on an alluringly sweet dark fruit liqueur note, with gently gripping tannins and outstanding energy and definition. 35% new French oak. -December 2o2o (Josh Raynolds)
Jeb Dunnuck | 94
The 2017 Zinfandel comes all from their estate Paderewski Vineyard and it’s one of those pure yum wines that has loads of complexity paired with sweet, sexy levels of fruit. Notes of incense, violets, sappy spring flowers, and lifted blue Deep purple, with a big, exuberant bouquet of blueberries, ground pepper, leafy herbs, and spring flowers, the 2017 Zinfandel is full-bodied and has a nicely balanced texture, light tannins, and a great finish. It’s upfront and ready to go yet should hold nicely for 5-7 years. -September 2020 (Jeb Dunnuck)
Wine Advocate | 93
The 2017 Zinfandel was triage picked this vintage due to the heat spike. It contains 9% Syrah and aged 18 months in 35% new French oak. Medium to deep ruby-purple in color, it’s slow to open its aromatic doors, giving glimpses of warm peaches, crushed red cherries, blueberries, boysenberries and wild blackberries with layers of underbrush, potpourri, dried roses, blood orange peel and charcuterie—this is very layered once it opens! The palate is medium to full-bodied and silky, slowly unfurling and offering all the floral perfume, red, black, blue and peachy fruits of great Zinfandel, with a grainy frame and outstanding freshness making you smack your lips on the long, spiced-fruit finish. Yowza! 456 cases were made. -February 2020 (Erin Brooks)
Wine Spectator | 91
Structured and polished, with rich black raspberry, dried cherry and spiced cinnamon flavors that pick up speed toward broad-shouldered tannins. Drink now through 2027. 456 cases made. -June 2020 (Tim Fish)
Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
77% Zinfandel, 15% Syrah, 8% Carignan
Fermented in concrete tank
Aged 18 months: French oak barrels and puncheons (28% new)
235 Cases Produced
Jeb Dunnuck | 96
The 2016 Zinfandel (there’s 15% Syrah and 8% Carignan) boasts a medium ruby/purple color to go with classic notes of black and blue fruits, spice box, caramelized cherries, and herbes de Provence-like traces. This ripe, sexy, incredibly polished Zinfandel is complex and nuanced, yet it’s a pleasure-driven beauty that will put a smile on your face any time over the coming decade; October 2019 (Jeb Dunnuck)
Vinous | 95
Vivid purple. Deeply perfumed black and blue fruit, incense and potpourri aromas show outstanding clarity and pick up exotic spice, vanilla and woodsmoke qualities with air. Fleshy, seamless and alluringly sweet, offering palate-staining boysenberry, cassis, dark chocolate and floral pastille flavors that show wonderful energy for their heft. The floral and blue fruit qualities carry emphatically through an extremely long finish that features slow-building, harmonious tannins and a resonating mineral note. (28% new French oak); February, 2020 (Josh Raynolds)
Wine Advocate | 93
The 2016 Zinfandel is made up of 77% Zinfandel, 15% Syrah and 8% Carignan aged 18 months in 28% new French oak. Medium to deep ruby-purple, it offers pretty aromas of cinnamon toast, dried peaches, crushed blueberries, blackberries, dried cherries and loads of dried flower aromas. Medium to full-bodied, it’s silky in the mouth with peachy flavors, an elegant frame and just enough freshness on the long, floral finish. 235 cases were made. -February 2020 (Erin Brooks)
Wine Spectator | 92
Polished, jammy and buff, with complex boysenberry, smoky tarragon and mineral-tinged pepper flavors that sail toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2024. 235 cases made; June 2019, (Tim Fish)
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
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)
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)
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)
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
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 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)
Vinous | 93
Bright purple. Heady, spice-accented blue fruit, incense, vanilla and potpourri scents gain lift from a smoky mineral flourish. Lush black and blue fruit and floral pastille flavors stretch out and become spicier with air. Displays a deft blend of richness and finesse, showing no excess fat and finishing with impressive length and subtle tannic grip. – November 2017 (Josh Raynolds)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Vinous | 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 2013 (Josh Raynolds)
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)
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
Jeb Dunnuck | 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. Possessing 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! -December 2012 (Jeb Dunnuck)
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)
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)
Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
94% Zinfandel | 6% Mourvèdre
Aged for 20 months in 30% new French oak
209 cases produced | unfined and unfiltered
Jeb Dunnuck | 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. -December 2011 (Jeb Dunnuck)
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)
Vinous | 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.
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)
Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
100% Zinfandel
Aged 12 months in 60% new French oak barrels
114 cases produced | unfined and unfiltered
Vinous | 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)
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)