ACCOLADES FOR EPOCH WINES

AUTHENTICITY
BLOCK B
CREATIVITY
ESTATE BLEND
INGENUITY
MOURVÈDRE
RESERVA TEMPRANILLO
ROSÉ
SENSIBILITY
TEMPRANILLO
VERACITY
WHITE
ZINFANDEL

Authenticity

International Wine Report’s #1 Wine of the Year for 2013

2021 AUTHENTICITY

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
90% Syrah | 10% Mourvédre

Jeb Dunnuck | 94-96+
Lastly, the 2021 Authenticity is a powerhouse of a Syrah offering a dense purple hue, classic Syrah notes of meaty black fruits and spice, full-bodied richness, a dense mid-palate, and a great finish. It’s closed and primordial at the moment, and I suspect a few years of bottle age will be warranted. – September 2022 (Jeb Dunnuck)

2020 AUTHENTICITY

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
90% Syrah | 10% Mourvédre

Jeb Dunnuck | 94-96+
While the Authenticity cuvée had some Mourvèdre in the blend in the past, today it’s 100% Syrah, and the 2020 Authenticity was scheduled to be bottled in July. It’s classic Paso Robles goodness, with pure black and blue fruits, notes of peppery herbs, violets, and graphite, full-bodied richness, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It’s probably my favorite 2020 from this talented team. – September 2022 (Jeb Dunnuck)

2019 AUTHENTICITY

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
90% Syrah | 10% Mourvédre

Jeb Dunnuck | 97
The 2019 Authenticity is all Syrah that comes mostly from the Paderewski Vineyard, with a small percentage from the York Mountain Vineyard. It offers a deep, inky hue to go with a blockbuster-style array of black and blue fruits, ground pepper, violets, and hints of game. Rich, full-bodied, and powerful on the palate, it has ripe tannins, beautiful overall balance, and a great, great finish. – September 2022 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Jeb Dunnuck | 94-96+
Not yet bottled, the 2019 Authenticity comes mostly from the York Mountain Vineyard and has a full-bodied, wonderfully pure, seamless style. Darker fruits, ground herbs, sage, and chocolate are just some of the nuances here, and it’s unquestionably a brilliant wine in the making. – September 2021 (Jeb Dunnuck)

2018 AUTHENTICITY

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
90% Syrah | 10% Mourvédre

Jeb Dunnuck | 95
The 2018 Authenticity shows the focused, structured style of the vintage beautifully. A blend of 90% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, it has a dense purple hue as well as bright blue and darker berry fruits, supported by ground pepper, violets, and some meaty notes. Rich, full-bodied, and concentrated, with ripe tannins, it has wonderful purity and balance.  – September 2021 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Jeb Dunnuck | 97-99
Based on 92% Syrah with a splash of Mourvèdre and Viognier, the 2018 Authenticity was scheduled to be bottled in July, just after this tasting. Lots of cassis and pure blue fruits as well as a kiss of violets and pepper define the bouquet, and it’s full-bodied, with a seamless texture and silky tannins. It’s showing a kiss of background oak at present, which will integrate nicely once this is in bottle. This is a stunning 2018 from this great estate. -September, 2020 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 95
The 2018 Authenticity is a blend of Syrah with 10% Mourvèdre and was aged for 19 months in 77% new French oak. Opaque in color, it’s aromatically complex, with layers of savory charcuterie, leather, fried sage and thyme over rich Morello cherry fruit. Youthfully boisterous and structurally supple, it offers layer after layer of savory fruit and finishes very long and spicy. It’s approachable now but will continue to evolve in bottle over the next 10+ years. 522 cases were made. – November 2021 (Erin Brooks)

Wine Enthusiast | 95
Elegantly layered aromas of cassis, violet, caramel and maple are rich on the nose of this bottling, which includes 10% Mourvèdre. Polished tannins envelop the palate, which is packed with dark red and purple fruit, creamy milk chocolate and spice-rack flavors. – April 2022 (Matt Kettmann)

Vinous | 96
Vivid purple. Powerful, smoke- and spice-accented aromas of dark berry preserves, candied flowers, mocha and olive carry a suave floral topnote. Fleshy, sweet and deeply concentrated, offering palate-coating blackcurrant, boysenberry, vanilla and baking spice flavors that turn livelier with air. Conveys an appealing blend of depth and energy and finishes with superb clarity, repeating florality and smooth, polished tannins. 77% new French oak, in various sizes. – July 2022 (Josh Raynolds)

2017 AUTHENTICITY

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
92% Syrah | 6% Mourvèdre | 2% Viognier
Fermented in concrete, oak puncheons, and stainless steel tanks (22% stomped whole cluster)
Aged 19 months in French oak barrels and puncheons (69% new)
Released Fall 2020
670 cases produced

Jeb Dunnuck | 98
One of the deeper hued wines in the lineup, the 2017 Authenticity checks in as 92% Syrah, 6% Mourvèdre, and the rest Viognier. Classic Paso Robles notes of blueberries, melted licorice, ground pepper, cured meats, and bacon fat all flow to a deep, full-bodied, opulent wine with terrific purity, a rounded, sexy texture, and a seriously good finish. -September, 2020 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 96 
Vivid purple. Intensely perfumed aromas of cassis, candied cherry, succulent flowers and pipe tobacco pick up a smoky overtone and building spiciness. Sappy and sharply focused, offering finely detailed dark berry and cherry-vanilla flavors and hints of bitter cherry, candied violet and baking spices. Gains sweetness with air and finishes with resonating floral and dark berry notes on a strikingly long, alluringly sweet and youthfully tannic finish. 22% whole clusters, raised in a combination of stainless steel, concrete and French oak vessels. -December 2020 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Advocate | 93
The 2017 Authenticity comes from the Paderewski vineyard and is made of 92% Syrah with 6% Mourvèdre and 2% Viognier. It was aged 19 months in 69% new French oak barrels and puncheons. Deep ruby-purple in color, the nose bursts with fresh blackcurrant and blueberry fruits with notes of violet, mint chocolate and garrigue. It’s full-bodied and fresh, its big, bold flavors wrapped in an elegant frame, and it finishes very long, flavorful and lifted. 670 cases produced. -October 2020 (Erin Brooks)

2016 AUTHENTICITY

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
89% Syrah | 11% Mourvèdre
Fermented in 100% new French oak puncheons and stainless steel tank (overall 28% whole cluster)
Aged 19 months in French oak mid-sized barrels and puncheons (70% new)
Release Fall 2019 | unfined and unfiltered
403 cases produced

Jeb Dunnuck | 98
The 2016 Authenticity checks in as 89% Syrah and 11% Mourvèdre that spent 19 months in 70% new French oak. It’s always the most powerful, opulent wine in the lineup, and the 2016 is no exception, revealing a deep purple/blue color as well as a heavenly bouquet of black and blue fruits, crushed violets, graphite, liquid rocks, and chocolate. With full-bodied richness, a building sense of meatiness, ample tannins, and a huge finish, it’s another magical wine from this estate that needs to be tasted to be believed -October, 2019 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 96
Bright purple. A deeply perfumed bouquet evokes ripe dark berries, violets, incense and smoky minerals, and a sexy floral topnote builds in the glass. Stains the palate with densely packed black and blue fruit liqueur, floral pastille and spicecake flavors that become livelier as the wine opens up. Displays outstanding power and sharp definition on a strikingly long, incisive finish that’s given shape by steadily building tannins. 70% new French oak  -February, 2020 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Advocate | 96
The deep ruby-purple colored 2016 Authenticity is made up of 89% Syrah and 11% Mourvèdre. It was made using 28% whole cluster and aged 19 months in 70% new French oak. Deep ruby-purple colored, it gives up a stunning perfume of luscious crème de cassis, mint chocolate, blackberry pie, fresh violet, sweet baking spices, coffee bean, marionerries and blueberries with accents of prosciutto, cracked pepper and olive. The palate is full-bodied and unfurls slowly like a peacock tail into the most gorgeous floral-tinged black fruits and well-tamed savory notions. Silky textured, it has a firm frame of finely grained tannins and astonishing freshness, finishing very long and layered. This is gorgeous! It’s perfectly drinkable now but will reward another 5 years in the cellar. Enjoy it over the next 20+ years. 403 cases produced. -February, 2020 (Erin Brooks)

Wine Enthusiast | 95 & Cellar Selection 
This bottling, which includes 11% Mourvèdre, is all about charred meat wrapped in purple flowers and fruits, with violet, lilac, black currant and white pepper on the nose. Black-plum, savory soy and elegant lilac flavors rise on the palate, where expertly rounded tannins ensure long aging. Drink now through 2031. -January, 2020 (Matt Kettmann)

Wine Spectator | 91
Tightly focused and well-built, with a lively backbone of tannins and bright acidity, braced by concentrated blackberry, smoky herb and cracked pepper flavors. Syrah and Mourvèdre. Best from 2021 through 2028. 403 cases made. -April, 2020 (Tim Fish)

2015 AUTHENTICITY

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
81% Syrah | 19% Mourvèdre
Fermented in new ½-ton oak puncheons and 1-ton bins (35% whole cluster)
Aged 18 months in French oak barrels and puncheons (77% new)
Release Fall 2018 | unfined and unfiltered
299 cases produced

Jeb Dunnuck | 99
My favorite of the bottled wines was the 2015 Authenticity and this crazy good red flirts with perfection. It’s unquestionably one of the top 2-3 wines in the vintage. A blend of 81% Syrah and 19% Mourvèdre brought up in 77% new French oak (there’s roughly 35% whole clusters), it boasts a huge nose of black fruits, olive tapenade, smoked meats, and truffle, and has an almost Cote Rotie La Landonne like meatiness and savoriness. With full body, sweet tannins, and an expansive, opulent, yet perfectly balanced profile on the palate, it’s a heavenly Syrah from this great region. Don’t miss it! 2018 – 2021 – November, 2018 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 97
The 2015 Authenticity Proprietary Red is superb, unfurling in the glass with aromas of smoky wild berries, grilled meat and cracked black pepper. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, multidimensional and authoritative, massive in both scale and depth, with immense concentration, beautifully fine but abundant tannins and impressive energy and tension for such a formidably powerful wine. All of Paso Roble’s potential amplitude and volume is captured here, but its structural refinement and harmony elevate it above mere brutishness into something quite thrilling. – May, 2018 (William Kelly)

Vinous | 95
(raised for 19 months in large French oak casks, 60% of them new) Glass-staining violet. Powerful, mineral-accented blueberry, cherry cola and vanilla aromas pick up suggestions of exotic spices and incense in the glass. Alluringly sweet, palate-staining black and blue fruit and floral pastille flavors deepen with air and spread out while retaining vivacity and focus. Smoothly balances concentration and finesse. A smoky mineral quality adds vibrant cut to a strikingly long, sweet, dark-fruit-dominated finish. Drink 2025 – 2035. – September, 2018 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Enthusiast | 93
Hearty and savory aromas of roasted meat, strong black cherry and char show on the nose of this blend of 81% Syrah and 19% Mourvèdre. It’s thick, rich and deep with flavors of roasted black currant, smoked fig and coffee on the palate, where fine-grained tannins stand up toward the finish. (Matt Kettmann)

Wine Spectator | 91
Deep and potent, with brooding currant, licorice and smoky game flavors that build toward broad-shouldered tannins. Syrah and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2025. 299 cases made. (Tim Fish)

2014 AUTHENTICITY

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
89% Syrah | 11% Mourvèdre
Fermented in stainless steel, oak and concrete tanks and new ½- ton French oak puncheons (39% whole cluster)
Aged 18 months in French oak barrels and puncheons (66% new)
Release Fall 2017 | unfined and unfiltered
517 cases produced

Jeb Dunnuck | 97
Seeing the largest percentage of whole clusters of all the cuvées, the 2014 Authenticity is a blend of 89% Syrah and 11% Mourvèdre that was fermented with close to 40% stems and brought up in 66% new French oak. Its inky color is followed by a huge, unctuous, seriously decadent red that offers notes of blackberries, creme de cassis, barbecue smoke, white chocolate and spring flowers. With a stacked mid-palate and impressive concentration, as well as sensational purity and notable structure, it’s a killer wine. I like it today, but I suspect it will be even better in another year or two. – August, 2017 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 95
Made from 89% Syrah and 11% Mourvèdre, the 2014 Authenticity Proprietary Red sports a deep garnet-purple color and nose of crushed blackberries, warm black plums and black cherries with hints of black pepper, dried bay leaves, lavender and olive oil-drizzled toast. Full-bodied, with tons of taut, muscular fruit, the palate is firmly structured with rounded tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long on a lingering earthy note. 517 cases were produced. – September, 2017 (Lisa Perrotti-Brown)

Vinous | 94
Bright purple. Intense black and blue fruits, cola, potpourri and smoky oak on the exotically perfumed nose. Shows impressive depth and seamless texture on the palate, offering concentrated blueberry, mocha and spicecake flavors and a suave violet pastille flourish. Shows impressive power and energy on the finish, which features harmonious tannins and insistent blue fruit and spice notes. – November, 2017 (

Wine Enthusiast | 93
Thick in the glass, this bottling, which includes 11% Mourvèdre, shows deep black currant, crushed slate and black plum on the darkly spiced nose. The palate shows cracked pepper and a black-fruit sauce, but it is the texture that’s most compelling, proving smooth, thick and plush, yet not overly tannic, with a boisterous acidity that rises into the finish. – May, 2018 (Matt Kettmann)

2013 AUTHENTICITY

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
82% Syrah | 18% Mourvèdre
Fermented ~57% whole cluster in concrete and stainless steel tanks, ½-ton French oak puncheons and 1-ton bins
Aged for 17 months in 53% new French oak barrels and puncheons
Release Fall 2016 | unfined and unfiltered
596 cases produced

Wine Advocate | 97
Moving to the 2013s, these are up there with the creme de la creme from Paso Robles. The 2013 Authenticity Proprietary Red (82% Syrah and 18% Mourvèdre) is 100% Paderewski Vineyard and saw 57% whole cluster before spending 17 months in just over 50% new French oak barrels and puncheons. Its deep ruby/purple, opaque color is followed by rockin’ notes of smoked meats, currants, cracked pepper and chalky minerality. Big, rich and layered on the palate, with a seamless texture and building structure, it’s nevertheless already hard to resist. It should keep for a decade, but I see no need to hold off either. – August, 2016 (Jeb Dunnuck)

International Wine Report | 95
The 2013 ‘Authenticity’ is an absolute knockout. Composed predominately of Syrah (82%) from the Paderewski Vineyard and was aged for 17 months in 53% new French oak. The wine instantly begins to release intense aromatics of black cherry liquor, crème de cassis, violets and mocha which all soar from the glass. This possesses remarkable density and concentration, as flavors of crème de cassis, sweet pipe tobacco, mocha and crushed mint resonate across the palate. The weight and tension is lovely as it continues to leave behind layers of complex flavors on the long finish. Overall, the Authenticity is a simply outstanding effort from Epoch and winemaker, Jordan Fiorentini. (Best 2017-2030) – December, 2017 (OB)

Wine Enthusiast | 94
Dark and thick in the glass, this blend of 82% Syrah and 18% Mourvèdre leads with black cherry syrup, smoked beef and dark chocolate aromas, which blossom as the wine opens. Rich and lavish on the palate, it has fine tannins that frame its blueberry, cassis and mocha flavors. It’s firmly structured, with a lingering acidity. -May, 2017 (Matt Kettemann)

Vinous | 93
Deep, lurid purple. Intense, highly perfumed blue fruit and floral pastille scents are complemented by hints of allspice and candied licorice. Velvety and focused on the palate, offering juicy boysenberry and bitter cherry flavors that take a sweeter turn as the wine opens up. Finishes impressively long and sappy, featuring lingering dark berry and floral pastille nuances, harmonious tannins and a hint of smoky minerals. 2018 – 2024. – September, 2016 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Spectator | 93
Dense and gutsy, this wine takes no prisoners. Aromas of dried cherry, loamy mineral and dark Asian spice lead to powerful flavors of wild berry, licorice and smoky cracked pepper. Hands off for now. Syrah and Mourvèdre. Best from 2018 through 2028. – March, 2017 (Tim Fish)

2012 AUTHENTICITY

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
71% Syrah | 28% Mourvèdre | 1% Viognier co-fermented with Syrah
Fermented in stainless steel and 1/2 ton French puncheons
Aged for 18 months in 51% new French oak barrels and puncheons
Released Spring 2015 | unfined and unfiltered
571 cases produced

International Wine Report | 96
The 2012 ‘Authenticity’ is an incredible blend of 71% Syrah, 28% Mourvèdre and 1% Viognier that was aged for 18 months in 51% new French oak barrels prior to bottling. This majestic, towering red opens with intense aromatics of star jasmine, anise, crème de cassis, and Turkish coffee which explode from the glass. This is full-bodied, layered and the texture is absolutely gorgeous, bordering ethereal, as it continues to deliver intense flavors of milk chocolate, crème de cassis, roasted figs, and tar which resonate through the wine. Despite its profound weight, this has a wonderful sense of freshness and seamless quality leading into the long multi-tiered finish. Overall, this 2012 is fabulous effort from winemaker Jordan Fiorentini. (Best 2016-2030) – May, 2016 (Owen Bargreen)

Wine Advocate | 95
The estate’s Syrah/Mourvedre blend, the 2012 Authenticity Proprietary Red is 71% Syrah, 28% Mourvèdre and 1% Viognier that saw 58% whole clusters and 18 months in 51% new French oak. It has terrific purity in its ripe, decadently styled bouquet of blackberries, creamy licorice and smoked herbs. Possessing a wealth of raw material on a full-bodied, thick and rich palate, it has a clean and lively mouthfeel with sweet tannin and a chalky minerality on the finish. Give it a year or two in bottle and drink it through 2024. – August, 2015 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 93
Inky purple. Ripe dark berry and spicecake aromas are complemented by notes of cola, licorice and candied violet. Supple and precise, showing excellent depth to its sweet blackberry and cherry liqueur flavors. A mineral quality emerges with air and carries through a gently tannic, extremely persistent finish. – September, 2015 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Spectator | 92
A Big, robust style, with tiers of dense, dark, chewy fruit, built around blackberry, chdar, road tar and graphite notes. Ends with a wall of tannins, cloaked around the dark berry and chocolate flavors. Best from 2016 through 2028. – December, 2014 (James Laube)

2011 AUTHENTICITY

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
66% Syrah | 33% Mourvèdre | 1% Viognier
Fermented in 45% stainless steel and 55% French oak puncheons
Aged 17 months in 60% new French oak
Released Spring 2014 | unfined and unfiltered
469 cases produced

Wine Advocate | 96
Even better, with another notch on the richness scale, the 2011 Authenticity boasts fabulous aromatics of creme de cassis, black raspberry, toasted bread, licorice and crushed flowers to go with a full-bodied, decadent and yet seamless style on the palate. A blend of 66% Syrah, 33% Mourvèdre and a splash of Viognier that was harvest at the end of October/early November and aged 17 months in 60% new French oak, it’s already hard to resist, but will evolve gracefully for over a decade. Drink 2014-2034. –  August, 2014 (Jeb Dunnuck)

International Wine Report | 95
The 2011 Epoch ‘Authenticity’ is an impressive follow up to last years amazing effort. It is dark and brooding, opening with intense aromas of ripe black fruits, exotic spices, pepper, smoke, lavender and even dark chocolate notes emerge with air. It boasts a full body, and possesses remarkable concentration, depth and power, however there is some underlying acidity which provides lift and a sense of freshness. The finish is long, persistent and supple, leaving behind a thick coating of delicious dark fruits, spices and chocolate notes that carry on for minutes. Another outstanding showing for the ‘Authenticity’ in 2011, and if you are a fan of the iconic wines of Saxum and SQN you should seek this out immediately. This is outstanding today, but I expect it to show even better in years to come. The 66% Syrah, 33% Mourvèdre and 1% Viognier was sourced from the Paderewski vineyard.  – April, 2014 (Joe D’Angelo)

Wine Enthusiast | 93 & Cellar Selection
Opaquely purple in color, this Syrah-Mourvèdre blend (with 1% Viognier that co-fermented with the Syrah) boasts a brooding black cherry, pipe tobacco and tarragon nose.  Then it delivers a much more nuanced palate, with a very ripe blackberry, oaky vanilla and a tartness on the backend.  It’s well integrated, with some tannis to make it last.  Drink now with a porterhouse steak, or hold until 2020 and track the sure-to-be-exciting evolution. – September, 2014 (Matt Kettmann)

Vinous | 93
The 2011 Authenticity is gorgeous. Silky, voluptuous and layered in the glass, the 2011, is laced with blue and purplish fruit, spices, mint and new leather. Sweet floral and spice notes add lift on the finish. This is a decidedly feminine, gracious wine that impresses for its overall balance. – July, 2014 (Antonio Galloni)

Wine Spectator | 91
Dense, firm and tannic, this is well-built, with a backbone of blackberry and black licorice.  The tannins hang tight, but there’s wiggle room on the finish, where the red fruit becomes more prominent.  Drink now through 2022. – April, 2014 (James Laube)

2010 AUTHENTICITY

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
76% Syrah | 24% Mourvèdre
Fermented in stainless tanks, French oak puncheons and concrete tanks
Aged for 20 months in 65% new French oak
Released Spring 2013 | unfined and unfiltered
492 cases produced

International Wine Report | 96 and #1 Wine of the Year for 2013
The 2010 Epoch Authenticity is a blend of 76% Syrah and 24% Mourvèdre, the Syrah is own-rooted and grown on the steepest, limey-ist hillside on the Paderewski Vineyard.  The wine itself brings intoxicating aromas of black cherry reduction, blueberries, kirsch, indian spices, cocoa, wet stones and even beautiful fresh violets emerge as this unwinds in the glass.  It is dense and concentrated, demonstrating impressive depth, power and remarkable balance.  The finish is long and rich, leaving behind a thick coating of juicy dark fruits, spices and chocolate flavors which all come together in harmony and linger on and on.  This was aged for 20 months in 65% new French oak.  Just an all-around fantastic wine that is very much approachable today, but it also has the potential to last decades.  Best 2014-2030. – April 2013 (Joe D’Angelo)

Rhone Report | 96
Without a doubt the largest scaled wine in the lineup and almost bursting at the seams, the 2010 Epoch Estate Wines Authenticity Paderewski Vineyard is a blend of 76% Syrah and 24% Mourvèdre, fermented with close to 40% whole cluster, that was aged in 65% new French oak barrels and puncheons.  Overflowing with notions of smoked plums, melted licorice, pepper, roasted meats, and graphite, it has a massive, full-bodied texture that has incredible mid-palate depth, thrilling richness, and a chewy, broad finish where the chalky minerality and tannic hallmark of the vineyard shows.  Despite the richness and size here, it remains beautifully drinkable and not heavy in the least.  Benefitting from air and still going strong on the third day, this knockout 2010 needs a year or three in the cellar, will drink nicely for 8-10 years, possibly longer. – (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 96
Shifted slightly more towards the Syrah side in 2010, the Authenticity is 76% Syrah and 24% Mourvèdre that’s fermented in a combination of concrete, stainless steel and new French oak before aging in primarily French oak barrels and puncheons.  Fantastic on the nose, with smoky black fruits, graphite, chocolate and complex game and leather nuances, this serious Syrah deliver a full-bodied, powerful, yet elegant mouth feel, brilliant concentration and a chalky, mineral-driven and tannic finish.  While a big wine, this has uncommon polish, freshness and poise. Give bottles 2-3 years in the cellar and then drink through 2025+.  Drink 2015-2025. –  August 2013 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Spectator | 93
Rich and gutsy, with dark berry, road tar, tobacco leaf and crushed rock flavors, this combines power with finesse, ending with a chewy aftertaste of smoke and creosote. Syrah and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2023. 492 cases made. – Web Only 2013 (James Laube)

Vinous | 93
(76% syrah and 24% mourvedre; 15.9% alcohol): Opaque purple. Deeply pitched aromas of black and blue fruits, cola and black cardamom, with smoke and cracked pepper accents. Sappy, penetrating dark fruit flavors are lifted by tangy acidity, which adds back-end cut. Dusty tannins give shape to the very long, spice-accented finish. Shows excellent vivacity for such a hefty wine. -November 2012 (Josh Raynolds)

2009 AUTHENTICITY

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
64% Syrah | 36% Mourvèdre
Aged for 23 months in 45% new French oak barrels and puncheons
Released Spring 2012 | unfined and unfiltered
504 cases produced

Rhone Report | 96+
Showing even better from bottle than barrel, the 2009 Authenticity checks in as a blend of 64% Syrah and 36% Mourvèdre that’s aged for 23 months in a combination of 45% new French oak barrels and puncheons.  Showing a very classically styled bouquet of smoked meats, white pepper, mineral, and iron that’s supported by a brilliant core of dark fruit, this pure, concentrated, and balanced red is full-bodied, gorgeously textured, and perfectly put together on the palate.  Transcending the typical Paso Robles Syrah profile with awesome complexity, perfect balance, good acidity, and a blockbuster finish, this beauty should evolve positively for 2-4 years, and have 12-15 years of longevity.  Serious stuff and don’t miss this wine. – (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 96
We finished the tasting with the 2009 Authenticity, which I loved on release. It didn’t disappoint and gave up rocking black raspberry, cassis, lead pencil shavings and hints of chocolate in a full-bodied, beautifully textured style. It’s still fresh and lively, and will continue to shine through 2021 or beyond. Drink 2014 – 2021 –  August 2014 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 93
The 2009 Authenticity shows a different side of the Paderewski Vineyard, with a little more inner tension and drive than the Ingenuity, but a similar amount of richness.  Dark red berries, grilled herbs and sweet floral notes meld together in this vibrant, totally expressive wine. The blend is 64% Syrah and 36% Mourvèdre.  Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017.  – (Antonio Galloni)

Wine Spectator | 91
Firm and tight, with a mix of road tar, rustic dried berry, sage and cedar flavors.  Firms on the finish, where the tannins are chewy, providing traction.  Syrah and Mourvèdre.  Drink now through 2022.  – (James Laube)

2008 AUTHENTICITY

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
100% Syrah
Aged 22 months in 50% new French oak barrels
Released Spring 2011 | unfined and unfiltered
242 cases produced

Vinous | 95
The 2008 Authenticity is a gorgeous wine layered with dark fruit, espresso, licorice, spices, all of which come together in a rich, sensual style of notable class and elegance. Soft and voluptuous through to the finish, Authenticity shows tremenedous balance and tons of personality. It is a big, bold red to drink now and over the next decade or so that shows the more refined, domesticated side of Syrah. The 2008 Authenticity spent 22 months in French barrels, 52% new. – August 2011 (Antonio Galloni)

Wine Advocate | 95
The 2008 Authenticity is a gorgeous wine layered with dark fruit, espresso, licorice, spices, all of which come together in a rich, sensual style of notable class and elegance.  Soft and voluptuous through to the finish, Authenticity shows tremendous balance and tons of personality.  It is a big, bold red to drink now and over the next decade or so that presents the more refined, domesticated side of Syrah.  The 2008 Authenticity spent 22 months in French barrels, 52% new.  Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020.  – (Antonio Galloni)

Wine Spectator | 95
Offering aromas of fresh-cut flowers, plum and berry jam, with lots of dark berry fruit scents, this is big and concentrated, yet manages to be supple midpalate and dense and chewy on the finish, ending with cascading berry, mineral, mocha and espresso notes.  Drink now through 2021.  242 cases made . – (James Laube)

Rhone Report | 94
All Syrah (compared to a 60/40 split of Mourvédre and Syrah for the ‘09), the 2008 Epoch Estate Wines Authenticity, aged for 22 months in 52% new French oak, shows stunning aromatics of both black and blue fruits, freshly crushed flowers, bramble, and charcoal.  Like the ’08 Block B, this ripe, hedonistic beauty pairs power with elegance and class.  Full bodied, lavishly textured, and seamless, with beautiful purity, and awesome length on the finish, this should drink well for a decade or longer.  – (Jeb Dunnuck)

2007 AUTHENTICITY

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
88% Syrah | 12% Mourvèdre
Ages 14 months in 70% new French oak barrels
Released Spring 2010 | unfined and unfiltered
203 cases produced

Rhone Report | 94
The 2007 Authenticity is a blend of 88% Syrah and 12% Mourvédre and shows knockout aromatics.  Big, dark and ripe with loamy earth, minerals, blackberry, cassis and spice aromas that are supported by hot asphalt and beef juice nuances.  The palate is medium to full bodied with a smooth, silky texture, sweet fruit, nice acidity and a long, clean finish. While this has big, sweet fruit, it also has restraint and the acidity keeps it clean and fresh.  I’d drink these over the next 10 years.  – (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 94
Perhaps the densest wine, with the most structure and potential for 10+ years of evolution, is the 2007 Authenticity, a blend of 88% Syrah and 12% Mourvédre.  Extraordinarily rich, with notes of camphor, creme de cassis, blackberry, licorice, and graphite, the wine is dense, full-bodied, still somewhat tannic, but pure and beautifully layered, with admirable equilibrium.  Give this wine another 1-2 years of bottle age and drink it over the following 10-12+ years.  – (Robert Parker)

Wine Spectator | 92
A pure, delicious expression of red and black fruits, with layers of pomegranate, wild berry and huckleberry fruit that offers touches of sage, mineral and cedar.  Ends with ripe, fine-grained tannins. Syrah and Mourvèdre.  Drink now through 2017.  203 cases made.  – (James Laube)

Vinous | 91
Glass-staining purple.  Pure aromas of blackcurrant, blueberry and Indian spices.  Penetrating black fruit flavors are complicated by notes of vanilla, violet and smoky spices; very reminiscent of a ripe northern Rhone wine.  The wine’s sweetness is leavened by gently bracing acidity.  Gains weight with air and finishes with lush tannins and excellent lingering fruit.  – November/December 2009 (Josh Raynolds)


Block B

The Wine Advocate: Jeb’s Best of 2014
International Wine Report
#67 Wine of the Year for 2014

2021 Block B

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
100% Syrah | Clone 174 | 100% Block B

Jeb Dunnuck | 98 – 99
The 2021 Syrah Block B is classic stuff and shows a dense, primary, reductive style as well as some darker fruit and meaty aromas and flavors. It’s a massive Syrah offering terrific balance, good mid-palate depth, ripe tannins, and a great finish. -September 2022 (Jeb Dunnuck)

2020 Block B

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
100% Syrah | Clone 174 | 100% Block B

Jeb Dunnuck | 94 – 96+
I loved the 2020 Syrah Block B, which, as usual, is all Syrah from a single block in the Paderewski Vineyard, on the west side of Paso Robles. Ripe blueberries, blackberries, ground pepper, violets, iron, and graphite all give way to a full-bodied, deep, wonderfully concentrated, powerful Syrah with tons to love. – September 2022 (Jeb Dunnuck)

2019 Block B

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
100% Syrah | Clone 174 | 100% Block B

Jeb Dunnuck | 95
Always one of the standouts in the lineup, as well as an incredibly singular wine, the 2019 Syrah Block B is all Syrah that saw 28% stems and was fermented and aged in puncheons and barrels, 81% being new. This saturated purple-hued beauty offers up a full-bodied, dense, darkly fruited style with classic tapenade, chocolate, and chalky minerality. I love its tannins, it’s concentrated, and it has outstanding length on the finish. I don’t think it has quite the precision of some of the top vintages here, but it’s nevertheless a gorgeous Syrah to enjoy over the coming decade or more. – September 2021 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Jeb Dunnuck | 96+
The 2019 Syrah Block B comes from a tiny parcel in the Paderewski Vineyard and was brought up in French oak mid-sized barrels and puncheons. It’s another inky purple/plum-hued beauty from this estate offering a great nose of smoked black fruits, bacon fat, iron, peppery herbs, and graphite. This carries to a full-bodied Syrah with a focused, dense, powerful mouthfeel, building tannins, remarkable purity, and a great sense of freshness. I always find a singular, meaty, almost bloody quality in this wine, and the 2019 delivers it in spades. Give it a year or so in the cellar and enjoy over the following decade or more. – September 2022 (Jeb Dunnuck)

2018 Block B

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
100% Syrah | Clone 174 | 100% Block B

Jeb Dunnuck | 96-98 
Awesome notes of blue fruits, ground herbs, white and black pepper, and hints of bacon fat emerge from the 2018 Syrah Block B, which is the normal 100% Syrah from a tiny parcel of the estate Paderewski Vineyard. It shows plenty of umami savoriness, stunning depth of fruit, full-bodied richness, and a heavenly finish. -October 2019 (Jeb Dunnuck) 

Jeb Dunnuck | 97-99
Also deeply colored, the 2018 Syrah Block B comes from a single parcel in the estate Paderewski Vineyard. It’s always a singular wine and has a saturated purple color as well as powerful notes of blackcurrants, black olive, iodine, and ground pepper. This meaty, full-bodied, beautifully concentrated Syrah stays nicely balanced, has ripe tannins, and a monster of a finish. -September 2020 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Jeb Dunnuck | 96
More iron, ground pepper, charred meats, and tapenade notes emerge from the 2018 Syrah Block B, a rich, powerful, yet focused and elegant Syrah that does everything right. Offering plenty of chalky minerality, ripe, building tannins, and a great finish, this brilliant Syrah will keep for at least a decade. The wine is 100% Syrah that was mostly destemmed (28% whole clusters) and spent 19 months in 82% new French oak. – September 2021 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 96+
The 2018 Block B Syrah was aged for 19 months in 82% new French oak puncheons and barrels. Deep ruby-purple, it’s classy and defined, with aromas of black and blueberry jam, violet, milk chocolate, fried herbs and coffee beans. The full-bodied palate’s youthfully concentrated fruits are supported by an abundance of silky tannins and offers notable freshness that lifts the finish. Beautiful now, it will benefit from another 3-5 years in bottle. 636 cases were made.  – November 2021 (Erin Brooks)

Wine Enthusiast | 97
Dense, detailed and dark aromas of purple fruit and flowers meet with cocoa dust, cardamom and shaved truffle on the intoxicating nose of this bottling. Expertly polished tannins cradle flavors of cassis, delicate fudge and lilac, proving utterly rich and mouthfilling while bone dry and savory. –April 2022 (Matt Kettmann)

Vinous | 96
Deep, shimmering purple. Potent, primary aromas of ripe dark berries, incense, violet, mocha and exotic spices take on a floral element as the wine opens up. Taut and chewy in the mouth, offering densely packed blackberry, cherry cola, allspice, vanilla and floral pastille flavors that show fine definition and mineral lift. The floral and spice notes repeat emphatically on a wonderfully long, penetrating finish shaped by steadily building tannins. Aged in French oak barrels and puncheons, 82% of them new. – July 2022 (Josh Raynolds)

2017 Block B

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
100% Syrah | Clone 174 | 100% Block B
Fermented in oak puncheon and stainless steel tanks (27% stomped whole cluster)
Aged 19 months in French oak mid-sized barrels and puncheons (71% new)
Bottled June 13th, 2019 | Released Fall 2020
479 cases produced

Jeb Dunnuck | 97
Along the same lines, the 2017 Syrah Block B is 100% Syrah from the Paderewski Vineyard. It’s always a more masculine, powerful Syrah, and the 2017 is no exception. It delivers loads of black fruits, bloody meat, marine-like salinity and minerality, full-bodied richness, sweet tannins, and a blockbuster of a finish. This shows the sexy, ripe style of the vintage, and while it’s a joy to drink today, it certainly has a solid decade of life ahead of it. -September 2020 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 96 
Inky violet. Expansive, spice-accented cassis, cherry liqueur, fruitcake and floral aromas pick up vanilla and smoky bacon nuances with air. Juicy, seamless and energetic in style, offering palate-staining, appealingly sweet black/blue fruit preserve, violet pastille, allspice and mocha flavors that become deeper as the wine opens up. The floral and mineral notes repeat emphatically on an extremely long, juicy finish that features mounting tannins and a touch of bitter chocolate. 27% whole clusters and 71% new oak. -December 2020 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Advocate | 95+
The 2017 Block B is 100% Syrah from the Paderewski vineyard, where grapes are planted on limestone on steep slopes. It was aged 19 months in 71% new French oak barrels and puncheons. It has an opaque ruby-purple color and bursts with aromas of bacon fat, cassis and boysenberry pie with notions of graphite, spearmint and garrigue. The palate is full-bodied and fully fruited with a ripe, pixelated frame, and it finishes long with good freshness and nuance. 479 cases produced. -October 2020 (Erin Brooks)

2016 Block B

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
100% Syrah | Clone 174 | 100% Block B
Fermented in 100% new French oak puncheons and stainless steel tank (overall 20% whole cluster)
Aged 19 months in French oak mid-sized barrels and puncheons (80% new)
Released Fall 2019 | unfined and unfiltered
438 cases produced

Jeb Dunnuck | 98
Coming all from a single parcel in the estate Paderewski Vineyard (all Syrah, and clone 174) and raised in 80% new French oak, the 2016 Syrah Block B reveals a saturated purple color as well as a massive bouquet of blackberries, blueberries, bacon fat, graphite, ground pepper, and violets. Deep, rich, and powerful, yet still light on its feet, it’s one of the most singular, brilliant Syrahs in the vintage. 2021 – 2033; October, 2019 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 97
Youthful purple color. Expansive, deeply perfumed aromas of black and blue fruit preserves, licorice, Moroccan spices, olive paste and potpourri, along with a building suggestion of incense. Stains the palate with densely packed blueberry, cherry-cola, cassis and spicecake flavors that become more energetic as the wine opens up. A violet pastille nuance gains strength with aeration and carries through an extremely long, mineral-accented finish that shows outstanding definition and spicy thrust. (20% whole clusters and 80% new French oak); February, 2020 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Advocate | 95 
The 100% Syrah 2016 Block B was made with 20% whole cluster and aged 19 months in 80% new French oak. It has a medium to deep ruby-purple color and offers gregarious cassis, olives, fresh violets, cracked peppercorn, bacon fat and chocolate mint with notes of loamy earth, blueberry preserves and red berry sparks. The palate is full-bodied, firm and layered with expertly detailed tannins and juicy freshness to lift the long, dense finish. What a beauty! 438 cases were made. -February 2020 (Erin Brooks)

Wine Enthusiast | 95 
Winemaker Jordan Fiorentini provides seamless integration on her 2016s. Dense aromas of black currant, violet and baking spice are intense but refined, while the palate is framed by polished tannins that still have just enough stickiness. The flavors balance a huge spice rack against buoyant black fruits. -January 2020 (Matt Kettman)

Wine Spectator | 92 
Well-built and tightly focused, with evocative blackberry, smoked meat and sweet anise flavors that build structure and richness toward sleek tannins. Drink now through 2028. 438 cases made. -February 2020 (Tim Fish)

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)
Released Fall 2018 | unfined and unfiltered
312 cases produced

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)

Wine Spectator | 94
Bold and expressive yet retains a sense of finesse, offering floral, licorice, blackberry and smoky beef flavors that gain speed toward polished tannins. Drink now through 2025. 312 cases made. – (Tim Fish)

Wine Enthusiast | 93
Roasted plum, toasted wood and rich coffee aromas show on the nose of this bottling from the vineyard named after the famous composer who once owned this slice of land west of Paso Robles. The palate is tightly wound and full of acid, offering flavors of smoky charred wood, rich black plum and black cherry. – (Matt Kettmann)

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
490 cases produced

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 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)

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)

Wine Enthusiast | 95 & Cellar Selection
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)

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)

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
449 cases produced

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)

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)

Vinous | 94
Opaque purple. Potent, mineral-laced dark berry liqueur and floral pastille aromas complicated by suggestions of licorice and incense. Sweet, penetrating and pure, offering palate-staining boysenberry, cherry-vanilla and violet pastille flavors that display a compelling blend of power and finesse. The floral and cherry notes drive a strikingly long, seamless, penetrating finish that shows just a suggestion of fine-grained tannins. – (Josh Raynolds)

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)

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
Released Spring 2015 | unfined and unfiltered
253 cases produced

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

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
Released Spring 2014 | unfined and unfiltered
236 cases produced

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)

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)

Vinous | 94
The 2011 Block B jumps from the glass with freshly cut flowers, plums, violets, cassis and blackberry jam. Savory notes develop in the glass, but the 2011 is really a wine of gorgeous fruit, floral notes and texture. In this vintage, the Block B impresses for its balance of rich Paso fruit melded together with the more subtle nuances of the cold year. What a gorgeous wine this is.

Wine Enthusiast | 92
This is Syrah at its rich and rugged finest, with aromas of grilled game, freshly turned earth, barnyard and even body odor. Once sipped, flavors of a blackberry-crusted roast and clove emerge, with serious tannins that will promise ageability. It’s good for drinking now, but can hold until 2017. – (Matt Kettmann)

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)

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
Released Spring 2013  | unfined and unfiltered
314 cases produced

Jeb Dunnuck | 98 
Even better, but made in a more fresh, elegant frame, the 2010 Block B is an absolutely 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. -December 2012 (Jeb Dunnuck)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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
Released Spring 2012 | unfined and unfiltered
182 cases produced

Jeb Dunnuck | 96 
Profound stuff, the 2009 Epoch Estate Wines Syrah Block B Paderewski Vineyard, from a cooler, north-east facing slope of limestone soils, is 100% Syrah that’s aged for 23 months in 43% new French oak barrels and puncheons. Boasting phenomenal aromas of black and blue fruits, black pepper, licorice, grilled meats, and charcoal, this stunning Syrah is full-bodied and the most rich, decadent, and concentrated of the ’09s. Impeccably balanced, structured, and with awesome concentration, this maintains superb definition and clarity on the palate, while staying light, fresh, and very easy drinking. Bottles should be given 2-3 years of bottle age, and then consumed over the following 12-15 years. -December 2011 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Rhone Report | 96
Profound stuff, the 2009 Epoch Estate Wines Syrah Block B Paderewski Vineyard, from a cooler, north-east facing slope of limestone soils, is 100% Syrah that‟s aged for 23 months in 43% new French oak barrels and puncheons.  Boasting phenomenal aromas of black and blue fruits, black pepper, licorice, grilled meats, and charcoal, this stunning Syrah is full-bodied and the most rich, decadent, and concentrated of the ’09s.  Impeccably balanced, structured, and with awesome concentration, this maintains superb definition and clarity on the palate, while staying light, fresh, and very easy drinking.  Bottles should be given 2-3 years of bottle age, and then consumed over the following 12-15 years.  – (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 94
The 2009 Block B (Syrah) is a huge, explosive wine loaded with personality. Violets, flowers, mint and licorice add considerable lift and freshness to layers of sumptuous dark fruit. The 2009 has an upper floral register and sweet inner perfume that is absolutely irresistible. The wine continues to open up beautifully with time in the glass. – (Antonio Galloni)

Wine Advocate | 94
The 2009 Block B (Syrah) is a huge, explosive wine loaded with personality. Violets, flowers, mint, grilled herbs and tar add considerable lift and freshness to layers of sumptuous dark fruit.  The 2009 has an upper floral register and sweet inner perfume that is absolutely irresistible.  The wine continues to open up beautifully with time in the glass. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017.   – (Antonio Galloni)

Wine Spectator | 91
Firm, tight and spicy, with a subtle earthy edge to the dried berry flavors.  Full-bodied and offering a touch of mocha, it firms and dries on the finish.  Drink now through 2022.  182 cases made.  –  (James Laube)

2008 Block B

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
100% Syrah | Clone 174 | 100% Block B
Aged 22 months in 55% new French oak barrels
Released Spring 2011 | unfined and unfiltered
181 cases produced

Jeb Dunnuck | 95 
Simply a stunning, full-bore wine, the 2008 Epoch Estate Wines Syrah Block B, 100% Syrah from limestone soils, aged for 22 months in French oak (once-filled), displays blockbuster aromatics of crème de cassis and smoky blackberry fruits, underbrush, graphite, pepper, and chocolate. While ripe and hedonistic, it stays classy and elegant, carrying full bodied power balanced by a beautifully pure, silky texture, perfect balance, and a long, rich, heady, and mineral laced finish. This seamless, beautifully done Syrah should drink well for 8 to 10 years. -November 2010 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Rhone Report | 95
Simply a stunning, full-bore wine, the 2008 Epoch Estate Wines Syrah Block B, 100% Syrah from limestone soils, aged for 22 months in French oak (once-filled), displays blockbuster aromatics of crème de cassis and smoky blackberry fruits, underbrush, graphite, pepper, and chocolate.  While ripe and hedonistic, it stays classy and elegant, carrying full bodied power balanced by a beautifully pure, silky texture, perfect balance, and a long, rich, heady, and mineral laced finish.  This seamless, beautifully done Syrah should drink well for 8 to 10 years.  – (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 95
The 2008 Block B, from an eastern-facing rocky slope on Paderewski, emerges from the glass with a wonderfully nuanced, floral bouquet that suggests the presence of white grapes, even though it is 100% Syrah. This is a beautifully pointed, focused wine graced with exquisite tannins and a layered, beautifully articulated finish. It is another first-class effort. The Block B was fermented in new Frenhch oak puncheons and spent 22 months in one-year old barrels. – (Antonio Galloni)

Wine Advocate | 95
The 2008 Block B, from an eastern-facing rocky slope on Paderewski, emerges from the glass with a wonderfully nuanced, floral bouquet that suggests the presence of white grapes, even though it is 100% Syrah.  This is a beautifully pointed, focused wine graced with exquisite tannins and a layered, beautifully articulated finish.  It is another first-class effort.  The Block B was fermented in new French oak puncheons and spent 22 months in one-year old barrels.  Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020.  – (Antonio Galloni)

Wine Spectator | 95
An extraordinary wine that serves up a gorgeous mix of dark berry fruit that’s sleek, focused, intense and supple-textured.  Full-bodied, unleashing tiers of blackberry and wild berry fruit, with floral scents and an amazingly long, detailed finish.  Drink now through 2024. 181 cases made.  – (James Laube)


Bordeaux Blend

2021 Bordeaux Blend 

Jeb Dunnuck | 93-96
The 2021 Bordeaux Blend comes from new plantings in the estate Paderewski Vineyard and is largely Cabernet Sauvignon with 12% Petit Verdot, 7% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc. Fermented in wooden puncheons as well as in concrete, it’s a medium to full-bodied, nicely balanced, pure, elegant wine with classic Cabernet aromas and flavors of cassis, graphite, chalky minerality, and hints of flowers. This might end up going into the Creativity release or bottled on its own. Either way, it’s a seriously good-looking barrel sample at this point. – September 2022 (Jeb Dunnuck)


Creativity

2019 Creativity

Jeb Dunnuck | 92 – 94
The 2019 Creativity is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the York Mountain estate. It’s a rich, medium to full-bodied, chewy, concentrated red that’s going to benefit from a few years in the cellar. I love its bouquet of cassis fruits as well as notes of cedarwood and chalk. Do your best to hide bottles for 2-4 years and it will shine over the following decade. – September 2021 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Jeb Dunnuck | 95
The 2019 Creativity is all York Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, and it’s a tiny production release that was fermented in new puncheons and aged in 70% new French oak. Wonderfully pure crème de cassis, chocolate, tobacco leaf, and lead pencil notes all emerge from the glass, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with a pure, layered, silky mouthfeel, plenty of tannins, and a great finish. It’s another gorgeous wine from this estate. – September 2022 (Jeb Dunnuck)

2018 Creativity (Red)

Jeb Dunnuck | 92+ 
The 2018 Creativity checks in as a Graciano-dominated blend that includes 18% Grenache and 16% Carignan. Mulled black fruits, ground pepper, leafy herbs, and pot roast-like nuances all emerge from this big, rich, expansive, almost chewy effort that has plenty of tannins. It should drink nicely for 5-7 years and probably develop more elegance with a year or two of bottle age. – September 2021 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 93 
The 2018 Creativity is a blend this vintage of co-fermented Graciano (66%), Grenache (18%) and Carignan (16%), aged 19 months in 67% new French puncheons. It offers pure scents of baked blackberries and blueberries with wafts of melted chocolate and purple flowers. The palate is full but silky, with surprisingly fresh acidity and a long finish loaded with floral perfume. 156 cases were made. -November 2021 (Erin Brooks) 

Vinous | 95
Saturated magenta. Intense red and blue fruit, floral, baking spice and vanilla aromas, plus a smoky flourish that builds with air. Alluringly sweet and seamless in texture, offering vibrant, oak-spice-accented blueberry, cherry cola, candied lavender, mocha and succulent herb flavors that deepen through the back half. Shows superb clarity and repeating florality on a very long, spicy finish framed by supple, even tannins. Aged in French oak puncheons, 67% of them new. – July 2022 (Josh Raynolds)

2018 Creativity (White)

York Mountain Vineyard 
95% Viognier | 5% Roussanne 
Fermented cool in French oak barrels
Aged nine months sur lie French oak barrels (69% new)
Released Spring 2020
73 Cases Produced 

Vinous | 94 
Bright straw-gold. Penetrating aromas of fresh citrus and orchard fruits, ginger and violet are complicated by an emerging mineral element. Juicy and concentrated on the palate, offering sharply delineated Anjou pear, nectarine, orange pith and floral flavors that show excellent clarity and mineral drive. The floral and mineral notes carry strongly through an incisive finish that shows firm tension and energetic lift. -December 2020 (Josh Raynolds) 

2017 Creativity – Syrah

Catapult Vineyard, Paso Robles
100% Syrah
Fermented in stainless steel and oak tanks
Aged 13 months in French oak regular and mid-sized barrels (37% new) and then 5 months in concrete tank
Released Fall 2020
443 Cases Produced

Jeb Dunnuck | 96
The 2017 Creativity is a ripe, exuberant, massive beauty delivering a serious bouquet of blueberries, ground pepper, violets, and cured meats. It’s a big, concentrated blockbuster on the palate and has ripe, sweet tannins, beautiful balance, and a great finish. It doesn’t pull any punches yet stays seamless, silky, and incredibly drinkable. -September 2020 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 95+

2015 Creativity – Mourvédre

Catapult Vineyard, Paso Robles
75% Mourvèdre | 25% Grenache
Fermented in new ½-ton French oak puncheons
Aged 19 months in new French oak puncheons
85 Cases Produced

Jeb Dunnuck | 95

Vinous | 94

Wine Advocate | 94
After several Mourvèdre-based renditions of this cuvée, which represents a selection of a barrel or two that Jordan Fiorentini deems worthy of its own bottling, the 2015 Creativity is 100% Petite Sirah. The wine offers up aromas of ripe plums, grilled meat, nori and dark chocolate. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, rich and layered, avoiding the structural rusticity to which this variety is susceptible; indeed, while no one could call this undernourished, it’s remarkably velvety and gourmand. -May 2018 (William Kelley)

2014 Creativity

Jeb Dunnuck | 97

Wine Advocate | 94

Vinous | 94

2013 Creativity

Wine Advocate | 96

Vinous | 93

Wine Spectator | 92

2012 Creativity

Wine Advocate | 95+

Vinous | 90+

2011 Creativity

Wine Advocate | 93

Vinous | 92


Estate Blend

Wine Spectator’s 25th Top Wine in the World for 2013

2019 Estate Blend

Jeb Dunnuck | 95
The 2019 Estate Blend checks in as 51% Syrah, 17% Mourvèdre, 14% Grenache, 7% Tempranillo, and the rest Graciano, Carignan, and Zinfandel. It has a beautiful bouquet of ripe blue fruits as well as ground pepper, violets, and sappy herbs. Medium to full-bodied, it offers a terrific sense of elegance, ripe tannins, and a seamless, compelling mouthfeel that makes it a joy to drink. Count me in as a big fan. It should evolve nicely for at least 7-8 years, although there’s no need to delay gratification. – September 2022 (Jeb Dunnuck)

2018 Estate Blend

Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards, Paso Robles
47% Syrah | 20% Mourvèdre | 18% Grenache | 12% Tempranillo | 3% Graciano

Jeb Dunnuck | 94-96
A Syrah-driven blend, the 2018 Estate Blend has beautiful freshness and purity as well as notes of red and blue fruits, lots of floral and violet hints, cracked pepper, medium to full body, and a beautiful texture. It has a cool-climate-like freshness and purity, but backs it up with beautifully ripe fruit and texture. -September 2020 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Jeb Dunnuck | 94-96
A blend of 47% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre, 18% Grenache, and the rest Tempranillo and Graciano, the 2018 Estate Blend has a full-bodied, round, lush, beautiful profile as well as ample darker berry fruits and spicy, violet-like aromatics. Aged 19 months in 50% new barrels, drink it over the coming 7-8 years or so. – September 2021 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 95
The 2018 Estate Blend comes from all three of Epoch’s estate vineyards and is a blend of 47% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre, 18% Grenache, 12% Tempranillo and 3% Graciano, aged 19 months in 50% new French oak barrels and puncheons. It has a deep ruby-purple color and gregarious aromas of blackberry and blueberry jam, with accents of milk chocolate and pie spice. The palate is medium-bodied with an abundance of grainy tannins, seamless freshness and a very long, flavorful finish. This is ready and open to drink! 1,663 cases were made. – November 2021 (Erin Brooks)

Wine Enthusiast | 98
This blend of 47% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre, 18% Grenache, 12% Tempranillo and 3% Graciano offers brooding aromas of black plum, blackberry, violet and wood spice. Silky yet firm tannins frame the endlessly pleasurable palate, where roasted berry and plum flavors weave into mocha and chai spices. Drink through 2038. – April 2022 (Matt Kettmann)

Vinous | 94
Opaque ruby. Aromas of candied black and blue fruits, allspice, mocha and smoky minerals pick up a suave floral nuance with aeration. Juicy and energetic on the palate, offering sappy blackberry, cherry cola, candied violet and spice cake flavors and a hint of salty olive paste. Polished tannins add shape to an impressively long, lively finish that leaves a repeating floral note behind. Raised in a combination of French oak barrels and puncheons, half of them new. – July 2022 (Josh Raynolds)

2017 Estate Blend

Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards, Paso Robles
36% Syrah | 21% Grenache | 17% Mourvèdre | 14% Tempranillo | 8% Zinfandel | 4% Carignan
Fermented in concrete and stainless-steel tanks, 1-ton bins, and ½-ton puncheons
Aged 18 months in French oak barrels and puncheons (40% new)
Bottled June 8, 2019 | Released Spring 2020
1,673 Cases Produced

Jeb Dunnuck | 95
While the estate blend used to function as an entry level cuvée, today it’s as good as the other cuvées and well worth seeking out in its own right. Based on 36% Syrah, 21% Grenache, 17% Mourvèdre, 14% Tempranillo, and the rest Zinfandel and Carignan, the 2017 Estate Blend’s vivid purple color is followed by a juicy bouquet of black raspberries, ground pepper, leafy herbs, chocolate, and a touch of chalky minerality. With medium to full body, a juicy, elegant, balanced texture, and a great finish, it’s a great wine to enjoy over the coming 7-8 years or so. I don’t think it will be the longest lived in the lineup, but for the sheer yum factor, it’s hard to beat. -September 2020 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 94 
Saturated, bright-rimmed ruby. Expressive cherry, dark berry and floral aromas reveal suggestions of licorice, cola and candied flowers as the wine opens up. Sappy and focused on the palate, offering intense black raspberry, cherry-vanilla and candied violet flavors that flesh out and deepen through the back half. Closes very long and smooth, with harmonious tannins and repeating blue fruit and floral notes. 40% new French oak. -December 2020 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Advocate | 93
The 2017 Estate Blend is made from all the grape varieties grown on the Epoch estate. It’s a blend of 36% Syrah, 21% Grenache, 17% Mourvèdre, 14% Tempranillo, 8% Zinfandel and 4% Carignan, aged 18 months in 40% new French oak. It has a medium to deep ruby-purple color, and the nose offers pure, pretty rhubarb and blackcurrant fruits with notes of earth and potpourri. The palate is medium-bodied and light on its feet, with spicy, fresh fruit character, a ripe frame and long finish. This is fresh and approachable right away. 1,673 cases produced. -October 2020 (Erin Brooks)

2016 Estate Blend

Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards, Paso Robles
58% Syrah | 19% Mourvèdre | 17% Grenache | 6% Tempranillo
Fermented in concrete, oak, stainless steel and one-ton bins
Aged 17 months: French oak barrels and puncheons (36% new)
Released Spring 2019 | unfined and unfiltered
1,204 Cases Produced

Vinous | 96
Deep, glistening ruby. Hugely perfumed cherry, blackcurrant and vanilla scents show outstanding clarity and pick up smoky mineral and floral nuances and strong suggestion of baking spices with air. Juicy and seamless in texture, showing superb depth and intense black and blue fruit liqueur, spicecake and violet pastille flavors that become more animated on the back half. Shows solid finishing thrust, an echo of sweet dark berries and finishes with deftly knit tannins that add gentle grip. (36% new French oak); February, 2020 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Enthusiast | 96 & Cellar Selection 
Dense in the glass, this blend of 58% Syrah, 19% Mourvèdre, 17% Grenache and 6% Tempranillo begins with intensely smoky dark fruits as well as blackberry jam, violet, wild sage and mint. The mouthfeel is full and rich, framed by smooth tannins that rise on the midpalate alongside flavors of mocha, gingerbread and black fruits. Drink now–2036. -January 2020 (Matt Kettmann)

Jeb Dunnuck | 95
Coming from the Paderewski and Catapult vineyards on the western side of Paso Robles and a blend of 58% Syrah, 19% Mourvèdre, 17% Grenache, and the rest Tempranillo, the 2016 Estate Blend offers a forest, fleshy, pure style that’s very much in the vintage. Darker fruits, ground pepper, violets, and meaty notes all dominate the nose, and it’s full-bodied, offers ripe, building tannins, and has no hard edges. 2020 – 2030; October 2019 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 94 
The 2016 Estate Blend is made up of 58% Syrah, 19% Mourvèdre, 17% Grenache and 6% Tempranillo aged 17 months in 36% new French oak barrels and puncheons. Medium to deep ruby-purple in color, it has a lovely perfume of cracked white peppercorn, mint leaves, violets, warm wild blackberries and crème de cassis with an undercurrent of blueberries, charcuterie, loam and red berry sparks. It’s medium to full-bodied and silky with slowly unfurling savory-laced fruits, firmly grained and juicy with a long, perfumed finish. 1,204 cases produced. -February 2020 (Erin Brooks)

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 Enthusiast | 96
Concentrated black cherry, elderberry and blackberry meet with crushed dark chocolate, mint and pencil shavings on the nose of this blend of 53% Syrah, 26% Mourvedre, 13% Grenache, 5% Tempranillo and 3% Zinfandel.  The hefty palate combines flavors of dark fruits with nutmeg and clove elements, framed by chalky tannins and subtle but persistent acidity. – May 2019 (Matt Kettmann)

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)

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)

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

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)

Wine Advocate | 92+
Composed 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)

Vinous | 92
Inky ruby. Deep-pitched black and blue fruits on the nose, joined in the glass by cracked pepper and floral elements. Sappy and seamless in texture, offering juicy blackberry and cherry liqueur flavors that show building sweetness and a touch of licorice on the back half. Rich yet energetic, delivering strong closing thrust and velvety tannins that harmonize smoothly with the energetic fruit. – November 2017 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Enthusiast | 92
A fifth generation Californian originally from San Jose, Matt Kettmann covers California’s Central Coast and South Coast for the magazine. He is also the senior editor of The Santa Barbara Independent, where he’s worked since 1999, has written for the New York Times, Time Magazine, Wine Spectator, and Smithsonian, and co-founded New Noise Santa Barbara, a music festival. – May 2018 (Matt Kettmann)

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

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)

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)

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)

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 Enthusiast | 93 
Hot olallieberry jam, lava rocks and uncracked black peppercorn aromas decorate the nose on this blend of 45% Syrah, 24% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache and 11% Tempranillo, about 90% of which is from the Paderewski Vineyard. It’s jammy, juicy and meaty on the palate, a lip-smacking wine made interesting by a plum-skin tartness and pork stew richness. -October 2015 (Matt Kettmann)

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

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)

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)

2010 Estate Blend

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 & #25 Wine in the World
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)

International Wine Report | 93
The 2010 Estate Blend from Epoch is composed of 56% Syrah, 26% Grenache, 11% Mourvedre and 7% Tempranillo from the Paderewski Vineyard.  It offers lovely aromas and flavors of ripe blackberries, dark cherries, crushed pepper, spices and earthy minerals.  Dense and concentrated with a rich, plush texture and wonderful balance.  Finishes up long, with dark fruits spices and chocolate notes lingering.  The wine was aged 18 month in 52% new french oak barrels and puncheons.  This is a remarkable value and a great way to get a sneak peak at the fantastic wines coming from Epoch. Best 2014-2025 – April 2013 (Joe D’Angelo)

Jeb Dunnuck | 92
Their entry level blend that comes from the different plots and 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% 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. -December 2012 (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)

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)

Vinous | 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 2012 (Josh Raynolds)

2009 Estate Blend

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
60% Syrah | 19% Grenache | 9% Tempranillo | 8% Zinfandel | 4% Mourvèdre
Aged for 23 months in 23% new French oak
1,368 cases produced | unfined and unfiltered

Jeb Dunnuck | 92 
The estate’s entry level offering, the 2009 Epoch Estate Wines Estate Blend Paderewski Vineyard is the equal to a number of estate’s top wine. A field blend of 60% Syrah, 19% Grenache, 9% Tempranillo, 8% Zinfandel, and 4% Mourvedre that’s aged for 23 months in French oak barrels and puncheons, 23% being new, it boast an inky, opaque color to go with deep, dense aromas of black fruits, crushed stone, licorice, earth, and peppered steak like qualities on the nose. Certainly the most straight forward aromatically of the line-up, this doesn’t lose much on the palate and delivers a full-bodied, balanced mouth feel, thrilling levels of polished fruit, and an overall fresh, straight up delicious profile. While I think this could age, I recommend pouring big glasses and kicking back with a smile over the coming 3-5 years. – April 2011 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Rhone Report | 92
The estate’s entry level offering, the 2009 Epoch Estate Wines Estate Blend Paderewski Vineyard is the equal to a number of estate’s top wine.  A field blend of 60% Syrah, 19% Grenache, 9% Tempranillo, 8% Zinfandel, and 4% Mourvédre that’s aged for 23 months in French oak barrels and puncheons, 23% being new, it boast an inky, opaque color to go with deep, dense aromas of black fruits, crushed stone, licorice, earth, and peppered steak like qualities on the nose.   Certainly the most straight forward aromatically of the line-up, this doesn’t lose much on the palate and delivers a full-bodied, balanced mouth feel, thrilling levels of polished fruit, and an overall fresh, straight up delicious profile.  While I think this could age, I recommend pouring big glasses and kicking back with a smile over the coming 3-5 years.  –  (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 91
Bright purple. Intense raspberry and cherry aromas are lifted by notes of peppery spice and fresh rose. Lively and well-focused, with juicy red berry and bitter cherry flavors that stain the palate. Finishes with very good clarity and length, the cherry note repeating. I’d have guessed that there was more tempranillo in here. – November 2011 (Josh Raynolds)


Gratitude

2021 Gratitude

Jeb Dunnuck | 92 – 94 
I was thrilled to be able to taste the 2021 Gratitude, which is a collaboration with Anne-Charlotte Bachas of Château Font du Loup in Châteauneuf du Pape. The wine is 92% Grenache with 8% Clairette, all co-fermented in concrete. It’s a beauty, with a wonderful sense of finesse and purity as well as medium-bodied aromas and flavors of red and blue fruits, flowers, and peppery herbs. This silky, refined, feminine style of Grenache is going to drink nicely right out of the gate. It almost has a saltiness on the finish and is impressive. – September 2022 (Jeb Dunnuck)


Grenache

2018 Grenache

Jeb Dunnuck | 93
Jumping into the reds, the 2018 Grenache comes from the Barossa Valley and is a made as a one-off, with the proceeds going all to charity. It offers a perfumed, complex style with hints of stems in its blue and passion fruits, violets, and peppery herbs. It’s an elegant, seductive Grenache to enjoy over the coming decade. – October 2019 (Jeb Dunnuck)


Ingenuity

2020 Ingenuity

Jeb Dunnuck | 93 – 95
The 2020 Ingenuity is another impressive barrel sample. Offering lots of darker, almost blue fruits as well as graphite, smoked herbs, and spice, it’s full-bodied, has a concentrated, powerful mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a good sense of freshness. – September 2022 (Jeb Dunnuck)

2019 Ingenuity

Jeb Dunnuck | 95 – 97
The dense purple-hued 2019 Ingenuity boasts a full-bodied, beautifully balanced, lush, yet powerful style as well as impressive blue fruits and notes of orange blossom, chocolate, and crushed rock. Scheduled to be bottled just after this tasting, it’s a brilliant 2019 that shines on all accounts. – September 2021 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Jeb Dunnuck | 96
The 2019 Ingenuity checks in as 71% Petite Sirah, 14% Mourvèdre, 12% Grenache, and a splash of Syrah. It’s another beautiful, elegant, yet powerful wine from Fiorentini offering tons of ripe black fruits, notes of ground pepper, chocolate, and graphite, medium to full body, beautiful balance, and a great finish. It has plenty of up-front appeal, yet there’s a focused, firmed edge here that makes me suspect it will be even better with just a year or so in bottle. – September 2022 (Jeb Dunnuck)

2018 Ingenuity

Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards, Paso Robles
36% Petite Sirah | 30% Syrah | 22% Mourvèdre | 12% Grenache

Jeb Dunnuck | 94-96
A complex blend that’s Petite Sirah-dominated, the 2018 Ingenuity has a great core of darker blue fruits as well as lots of spice, garrigue, and pepper to go with a medium to full-bodied, round, nicely textured style on the palate. It needs bottle age, but it’s unquestionably a seriously good wine. -September 2020 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 94
The 2018 Ingenuity is a blend of 36% Petite Sirah, 30% Syrah, 22% Mourvèdre and 12% Grenache, aged 19 months in 52% new French oak. Opaque in color, it explodes with gregarious blackberry and black cherry jam underpinned by dark, savory spices and wafts of purple flowers. The palate is full-bodied and firm, with loads of lush, spicy dark fruits and just enough juicy acidity to highlight the floral perfume on the long finish. 828 cases were made. – November 2021 (Erin Brooks)

Jeb Dunnuck | 96
Lots of blue fruits, ground pepper, candied violets, and chalky minerality emerge from the 2018 Ingenuity, a pure, medium to full-bodied, seamless beauty with fine tannins and no hard edges. Like all Jordan’s 2018s, it holds onto a terrific sense of freshness and elegance. The blend is 36% Petite Sirah, 30% Syrah, 22% Mourvèdre, and the rest Grenache, and comes mostly from the estate Paderewski Vineyard. – September 2021 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Enthusiast (Cellar Selection) | 93
Rustic aromas of herb, tar and tart berry show on the nose of this blend of 36% Petite Sirah, 30% Syrah, 22% Mourvèdre and 12% Grenache. Elderberry and black currant provide more ripe qualities to the palate, where chalky tannins lead into a finish awash in dried oregano and thyme. There, the elements will grow more compelling with time. Drink now through 2034. – April 2022 (Matt Kettmann)

Vinous | 95
Glass-staining ruby. Dark berry preserves, fruitcake, toasty oak, espresso and a hint of vanilla on the expansive nose. Stains the palate with ripe black and blue fruit, mocha, candied licorice and floral pastille flavors, while black pepper and smoky mineral notes add cut and back-end lift. Deeply concentrated but lively as well, thanks to a spine of juicy acidity. Finishes on a youthfully tannic note, with strong, spicy persistence. Raised in French oak barrels and puncheons, 52% of them new. – July 2022 (Josh Raynolds)

2017 Ingenuity

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
56% Petite Sirah | 16% Mourvèdre | 15% Syrah | 13% Grenache
Fermented in concrete, oak and stainless steel tanks, and oak puncheons and bins
Aged 19 months in French oak barrels and puncheons (51% new)
Bottled June 12th, 2019 | Released Fall 2020
667 Cases produced

Jeb Dunnuck | 95
This cuvée has shifted toward more Petite Sirah over the past few vintages, and the 2017 Ingenuity checks in as 56% Petite Sirah, 16% Mourvèdre, 15% Syrah, and 13% Grenache. Blueberries, flowery incense, white pepper, and candied orange peel all give way to a sexy, ripe, full-bodied 2017 with sweet tannins and a great finish. Drink it over the coming decade. -September 2020 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 95 
Opaque ruby. Spice-accented cherry, cassis, blueberry and licorice scents develop smoky mineral and floral top-notes that gain strength as the wine opens up. Fleshy black/blue fruit, licorice and candied violet flavors are supported by a spine of juicy acidity and become sweeter on the back half. Deftly blends concentration and vivacity and finishes smoky and very long, with gently chewy tannins and lingering dark fruit and candied licorice qualities. 51% new oak. -December 2020 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Advocate | 92+
The 2017 Ingenuity is a blend of 56% Petite Sirah, 16% Mourvèdre, 15% Syrah and 13% Grenache from the Paderewski vineyard, aged 19 months in 51% new French oak barrels and puncheons. It has pretty aromas of violet, blueberries and blackberries with spicy touches. It’s full-bodied but surprisingly fresh and ripe, offering pretty pops of blue fruits and finishing long and layered. 667 cases produced. -October 2020 (Erin Brooks)

2016 Ingenuity

Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards, Paso Robles
54% Syrah, 20% Petite Sirah, 16% Mourvèdre, 10% Grenache
Fermented in concrete, stainless steel and one-ton bins (overall 10% whole cluster)
Aged 19 months in French oak barrels and puncheons (75% new)
Released Fall 2019 | unfined and unfiltered

Wine Advocate | 96 
The 2016 Ingenuity is blended of 54% Syrah, 20% Petite Sirah, 16% Mourvèdre and 10% Grenache. It was made using 10% whole cluster and aged 19 months in 75% new French oak barrels and puncheons. It has a deep ruby-purple color and slowly spreads its aromatic wings to a perfume of crushed blackcurrants, black cherries and warm blackberries, with marionberry and boysenberries accents, gobs of violet and lilac perfume, touches of black pepper, loamy earth, mint leaves, bitter chocolate and olive—what a fantastic perfume! The palate is silky and expansive with the most unbelievable floral character. It’s got finely pixelated tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing long and layered. This is outstanding! 1,003 cases produced. -February 2020 (Erin Brooks)

Jeb Dunnuck | 95+
The 2016 Ingenuity checks in as 54% Syrah, 20% Petite Sirah, 16% Mourvèdre, and the rest Grenache that was mostly destemmed and spent 19 months in 75% new French oak. This deeply colored effort offers up a great yet slightly closed, backward bouquet of black fruits, ground herbs, charred meat, and toasted spices. It’s rich, full-bodied, has a fleshy, opulent texture, no hard edges, yet the class to improve with another year or two of bottle age and keep for a decade. 2021 – 2023; October 2019 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 95
Dark magenta. A highly complex, exotically perfumed bouquet evokes ripe dark berries, cherry cola, mocha and potpourri, and baking spice and licorice nuances appear with air. Rich yet lively as well, offering palate-staining blackberry, cherry preserve, boysenberry and spicecake flavors that take on a floral note on the back half. The impressively long, spice-tinged finish features resonating florality and smooth, polished tannins that come in late. 75% new French oak; February 2020, (Josh Raynolds)

2015 Ingenuity

Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards, Paso Robles
51% Syrah, 28% Mourvèdre, 14% Petite Sirah, 7% Grenache
Fermented in concrete, stainless steel and oak tanks
Aged 19 months in French oak barrels and puncheons (60% new)
Released Fall 2018 | unfined and unfiltered

Jeb Dunnuck | 97
The inky colored 2015 Ingenuity (51% Syrah, 28% Mourvèdre, 14% Petite Sirah, and the balance Grenache) is another broad, layered, incredibly sexy wine from winemaker Jordan Fiorentini. Offering up lots of smoked earth, ground pepper, exotic flowers, and assorted dark fruits, it opens up beautifully with time in the glass, has a layered, ultra-pure style, and a great, great finish. Drink it anytime over the coming decade. Bravo! 2018 – 2028; November 2018 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Enthusiast | 96
Rich and yet focused aromas of black cherry and cassis are leveled by wet gravel and crushed slate on the intense nose of this blend of 51% Syrah, 28% Mourvèdre, 14% Petite Sirah and 7% Grenache. The palate is very structural at first with stand-up tannins, but they open the doors to lush floral and fruit flavors, from lilac and lavender to elegant plums and berries. – April 2019 (Matt Kettmann)

Vinous | 95
(raised for 19 months in large French oak casks, 60% of them new) Glass-staining violet. Powerful, mineral-accented blueberry, cherry cola and vanilla aromas pick up suggestions of exotic spices and incense in the glass. Alluringly sweet, palate-staining black and blue fruit and floral pastille flavors deepen with air and spread out while retaining vivacity and focus. Smoothly balances concentration and finesse. A smoky mineral quality adds vibrant cut to a strikingly long, sweet, dark-fruit-dominated finish. Drink 2025 – 2034 – September 2018 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Advocate | 92
The 2015 Ingenuity Proprietary Red offers up an expressive nose of dark chocolate, grilled meat, ripe blackberries and cherry preserve. Full-bodied, rich and expansive, it cuts a broad swath across the palate, revealing a deep core of sun-kissed, concentrated fruit and a gently chewy finish. It’s one of the more fruit-forward wines in the Epoch portfolio.  May, 2018 (William Kelley)

Wine Spectator | 91
Dense and deeply structured, with smoky game, black currant and licorice notes that build intensity toward bold but polished tannins. Syrah, Mourvèdre, Petite Sirah and Grenache. Drink now through 2025. 1,128 cases made. – March 2019 (Tim Fish)

2014 Ingenuity

Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards, Paso Robles
50% Syrah | 25% Grenache | 18% Mourvèdre | 7% Petite Sirah
Fermented in stainless steel and concrete tanks, ½- ton French oak puncheons and 1-ton bins
Aged 18 months in French oak barrels and puncheons (36% new)
Released Fall 2017 | unfined and unfiltered

Wine Enthusiast | 95 & Cellar Selection
Viscous and dark in the glass, this wine’s unctuous nose shows black currant, violet and a hint of hot asphalt. The blend of 50% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 18% Mourvèdre and 7% Petite Sirah is tight on the palate, where a tarry texture carries flavors of concentrated black currant, fresh blackberry and wild chaparral herbs. Drink 2019–2029. – May 2018 (Matt Kettmann)

Jeb Dunnuck | 95
The 2014 Ingenuity checks in as 50% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 18% Mourvèdre and the balance Petite Sirah brought up in 36% new French oak barrels and puncheons. This is a big, rich, meaty Paso red that offers full-flavored notes of plums, blackberries, violets and hints of white chocolate, full-bodied richness, ripe tannin and a big finish. I love its purity, and this puppy is just loaded with fruit, texture and charm.

Wine Advocate | 94
Produced from 50% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 18% Mourvèdre and 7% Petit Sirah, the 2014 Ingenuity Proprietary Red has a deep garnet-purple color and alluring nose of licorice, dark chocolate-covered cherries and charcuterie with a hint of Provence herbs. Full-bodied, concentrated and with an approachable frame of ripe, rounded tannins, it has lovely spice, black fruit layers and great length. 1,609 cases were made. – September 2017 (Lisa Perotti-Brown)

Vinous | 93
Lurid violet. Ripe, smoke-tinged raspberry and boysenberry compote and cola aromas show excellent clarity, and a peppery element adds spicy lift. Juicy and focused on the palate, offering densely packed yet lively red and blue fruit and floral pastille flavors and a hint of star anise. Shows superb energy on the broad, strikingly long finish, which is framed by velvety tannins and sharpened by a snap of juicy acidity. – November 2017 (Josh Raynolds)

2013 Ingenuity

Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards, Paso Robles
54% Syrah | 21% Mourvèdre | 16% Grenache | 9% Petite Sirah
Fermented ~26% whole cluster in concrete and stainless steel tanks, ½-ton French oak puncheons and 1-ton bins
Aged for 17 months in 49% new French oak barrels and puncheons
Released Fall 2016 | unfined and unfiltered

Wine Advocate | 96
The GSM blend from the estate is the 2013 Ingenuity Proprietary Red, which in 2013 is 54% Syrah, 21% Mourvedre, 16% Grenache and the balance Petite Sirah. It saw a touch of whole clusters in the fermentation and like the other 2013s here, spent 17 months in roughly 50% new French oak. This downright sexy, full-bodied and sweetly fruited beauty offers tons of black raspberry, plums, incense and peppery aromas and flavors, gorgeous tannin quality and a long, classy finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. – August 2016 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Enthusiast | 94 & Cellar Selection 
The winery’s characteristic dense style is immediately apparent in this blend of 54% Syrah, 21% Mourvèdre, 16% Grenache and 9% Petite Sirah. It offers black licorice, smoked meat, baked black cherry and graphite aromas, needing time to breathe before unleashing black coffee, elderberry jam, asphalt and charcoal flavors through tarry tannins. Drink 2018–2028. – May, 2017 (Matt Kettemann)

Vinous | 93
Bright purple. Intense blackberry and candied licorice aromas show excellent clarity and pick up a smoky nuance with air. Sweet and focused, showing strong mineral lift to the densely packed, appealingly sweet black and blue fruit and violet pastille flavors. Becomes more lively and spicy with air, picking up a suave star anise note that carries emphatically through a very long, youthfully tannic finish. While I’ve no doubt that this sexy wine will reward patience, it has a lot going on already. – September 2016 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Spectator | 93
Potent, structured and jammed with character, offering aromas of blackberry, dark chocolate and licorice and rich, muscular flavors of blueberry and smoky cracked pepper. Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache and Petite Sirah. Drink now through 2027. – March 2017 (Tim Fish)

2012 Ingenuity

Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards, Paso Robles
58% Syrah | 18% Mourvèdre | 14% Grenache | 10% Petite Sirah
Fermented in concrete and stainless steel tanks, one-ton bin and French oak puncheons
Aged for 18 months in 40% new French oak barrels and puncheons
Released Spring 2015 | unfined and unfiltered

Wine Advocate | 94
Another blockbuster, the 2012 Ingenuity Proprietary Red is comprised of 58% Syrah, 18% Mourvedre, 14% Grenache and 10% Petite Sirah that was fermented in concrete and stainless steel before spending 18 months in 40% new French oak. Ripe, voluptuous and textured, with beautifully managed tannic grip, it offers lots of black fruits, smoke, licorice, chocolate and hints of spice on the nose, with some saline minerality on the finish. Coming 80% from the Paderewski vineyard and 20% from Catapult Vineyard, it’s a killer Paso red to enjoy over the coming 7-8 years. – August 2015 (Jeb Dunnuck)

International Wine Report | 94
The wine is gorgeous a blend of 58% Syrah, 18% Mourvèdre, 14% Grenache, and 10% Petite Sirah that was aged for 18 months in 40% new French oak prior to bottling. 80% of this red wine was sourced from the Paderewski vineyard, while 20% was sourced from the Catapult vineyard. This red blend begins with aromatics reminiscent of pipe tobacco, anise, black olive, black cherry and black raspberries all taking shape in the glass. There are rich flavors of milk chocolate, crème de cassis, anise and Turkish coffee which resonate across the palate. Intense, dense and layered, this shows the potential to have have a very long life ahead.  Best 2016-2030 – May 2016 (Owen Bargreen)

Vinous | 92
Saturated ruby-violet color. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe dark berries, incense, cola and smoky minerals. In a rich, weighty style but in no way short on energy, with its intense cassis and blackberry flavors given spine by juicy acidity. Smooths out and gains sweetness on a long, gently tannic finish that leaves notes of dark berry preserves and violet behind. – September 2015 (Josh Raynolds)

2011 Ingenuity

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
55% Syrah | 17% Grenache | 15% Mourvèdre | 13% Petite Sirah
Fermented in concrete and stainless steel tanks, French oak puncheons, and one-ton bins
Aged 17 months in 45% new French oak
974 cases produced | unfined and unfiltered

Wine Advocate | 95
The 2011 Ingenuity is 55% Syrah, 17% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre and the balance Petite Sirah. Aged in barrels and puncheons, it offers a gorgeous, seamless, layered and full-bodied style to go with notes of black raspberry, chocolate, spice-box and hints of pepper. I love the overall purity here, and it’s incredibly silky and polished on the palate, with fine tannin. Enjoy this beauty over the coming 7-8 years. – August 2014 (Jeb Dunnuck)

International Wine Report | 93+
It has a dark inky color with intense aromas and flavors of blackberries, blueberries, Asian spices, pepper, black olives, lavender and smoky mesquite notes. This is rich, powerful and concentrated, yet there is underlying acidity which provides a sense of vibrancy to the wine. The finish is layered and polished, leaving a generous coating of delicious dark fruits and spices. While this is approachable upon release it is sure to age well for those willing to wait. (Best 2015-2026)  – April, 2014 (Joe D’Angelo)

Vinous | 93
Dark purple. Sexy smoke- and spice-accented aromas of black and blue fruits and potpourri, with a suggestion of incense building with air. Lush and expansive in the mouth, offering deeply pitched but lively cassis and mulberry flavors and a suave floral pastille nuance. The spice and floral notes come back strong on the finish, framed by smooth, harmonious tannins. – November 2013 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Enthusiast | 93 & Cellar Selection
It’s another inky Rhône monster with aging potential from Epoch and their historic Paderewski Vineyard.  This Syrah-led blend throws off inviting aromas of black cherry pie, violet, fennel and balsamic vinegar reduction.  Once sipped, layers of flavor emerge steadily, with blackberry fruit roll-up, wet pipe tobacco, candied nuts, lingering herbs and a slight vanilla finish.  Serve with osso buco or otherwise roasted pork. – September 2014 (Matt Kettmann)

Wine Spectator | 92
Delivers a graceful, harmonious mix of dark berry, cedar, raspberry and licorice flavors, supple in texture and lingering on the finish, gaining depth and nuance. Drink now through 2022. – April 2014 (James Laube)

Aspen Times
A SGM – Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre blend witha  bit of Petite Sirah for good measure – this dark beauty is racy with solid acid and hints of spice and soil… Epoch is a name to remember as you head for the coast. – December 2014 (Kelly Hayes)

2010 Ingenuity

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
92% Tempranillo | 8% Grenache
Fermented in concrete and stainless steel tanks, and French oak puncheons
Aged for 20 months in 82% New French Oak
268 cases produced

Jeb Dunnuck | 94 
A big step up from the Estate Blend, the 2010 Ingenuity is a knockout effort that checks in as a mix of 62% Syrah, 14% Mourvedre, 12% Grenache, and 12% Petite Sirah that was aged in 61% new French oak. Gorgeous all around, with a lively, yet decadent bouquet of grilled beef, black fruits, licorice, mineral, violets, and earth, it flows onto the palate with a full-bodied, rich texture, notable freshness, and a clean, energetic finish. Already delicious and approachable, it nevertheless has the concentration, acidity, and tannin to evolve gracefully for 7-8 years. -August 2012 (Jeb Dunnuck)

International Wine Report | 94
The 2010 Ingenuity is a blend of 62% Syrah, 14% Mourvedre, 12% Grenache and 12% Petite Sirah sourced from the Paderewski Vineyard.  It is dense, powerful and focused, offering aromas and flavors of ripe blackberries and cherries, along with spices, peppered beef, chocolate, mint and hints of vanilla bean. Richly textured with deep layers of intense flavors that are constantly unfolding, working their way into the long lasting finish.  This spent 20 months in french oak barrels and puncheons.  The Ingenuity is a remarkable blend, that should last well into the next decade. Best 2014-2025 – April 2013 (Joe D’Angelo)

Rhone Report | 94
A big step up from the Estate Blend, the 2010 Ingenuity is a knockout effort that checks in a mix of 62% Syrah, 14% Mourvedre, 12% Grenache and 12% Petite Sirah that was aged in 61% new French oak.  Gorgeous all around, with a lively, yet decadent bouquet of grilled beef, black fruits, licorice, and mineral, violets, and earth, it flows onto the palate with a full-bodied, rich texture, notable freshness, and a clean, energetic finish.  Already delicious and approachable, it nevertheless has the concentration, acidity, and tannin to evolve gracefully for 7-8 years.  – (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 93
Glass-staining ruby. A complex, expansive bouquet evokes dark berry preserves, licorice, smoky minerals and spicy oak. Offers concentrated blackberry, boysenberry and vanilla flavors and shows impressive back-end mineral lift. Gentle tannins add shape to the strikingly long, sweet, penetrating finish, with the spicy element carrying through. – November 2012 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Advocate | 93
The 2010 Ingenuity is a knockout effort that checks in as a mix of 62% Syrah, 14% Mourvedre, 12% Grenache and 12% Petite Sirah that was aged in 61% new French oak. Gorgeous all around, with a lively, yet decadent bouquet of grilled beef, black fruits, licorice, mineral, violets and earth, it flows onto the palate with a full-bodied, rich texture, notable freshness and a clean, energetic finish. Already delicious and approachable, it nevertheless has the concentration, acidity and tannin to evolve gracefully through 2020.  – August 2013 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Spectator | 90
Big, broad, rich and chewy, with dense, extracted dark berry, black licorice, anise and cedar notes. Rambunctious now, but will have tamer days ahead. Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache and Petite Sirah. Best from 2014 through 2024. – November 30, 2013 (James Laube)

2009 Ingenuity

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
65% Syrah | 12% Petite Sirah | 12% Mourvèdre | 7% Grenache | 4% Zinfandel
Aged for 23 months in 42% new French oak barrels and puncheons
752 cases produced

Jeb Dunnuck | 95 
A blend of 65% Syrah, 12% Petite Sirah, 12% Mourvedre, 7% Grenache, and 4% Zinfandel, the 2009 Epoch Estate Wines Ingenuity Paderewski Vineyard is utterly captivating stuff. Possessing an inky purple color, it exhibits a complex, decadent array of smoky black fruits, underbrush, bramble, charred beef, and chocolate to go with a full-bodied, hedonistic palate that manages to exude fruit and texture, while at the same time holding on to a sense of elegance, poise, and class. This brilliant blend has solid concentration, ripe tannin, and a very well done, classically styled, and tannic finish. It needs plenty of air to show at its best, and should age effortlessly for 10-12 years. -December 2011 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Rhone Report | 95
A blend of 65% Syrah, 12% Petite Sirah, 12% Mourvédre, 7% Grenache, and 4% Zinfandel, the 2009 Epoch Estate Wines Ingenuity Paderewski Vineyard is utterly captivating stuff.  Possessing an inky purple color, it exhibits a complex, decadent array of smoky black fruits, underbrush, bramble, charred beef, and chocolate to go with a full-bodied, hedonistic palate that manages to exude fruit and texture, while at the same time holding on to a sense of elegance, poise, and class.  This brilliant blend has solid concentration, ripe tannin, and a very well done, classically styled, and tannic finish.  It needs plenty of air to show at its best, and should age effortlessly for 10-12 years.  – (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 94
A full-bodied, fleshy wine, the 2009 Ingenuity boasts loads of dark fruit, licorice, spices and new French oak, all of which come together in an expression of the Paderewski vineyard that is exciting and intense from start to finish. I especially like the way the 2009 fills out in all directions. Layers of black fruit, smoke and game saturate the palate in this large-scaled, opulent wine. Ingenuity is 65% Syrah, 12% Petite Sirah, 12% Mourvèdre, 7% Grenache and 4% Zinfandel. – August 2012 (Antonio Galloni)

Wine Advocate | 94
A full-bodied, fleshy wine, the 2009 Ingenuity boasts loads of dark fruit, licorice, spices and new French oak, all of which come together in an expression of the Paderewski vineyard that is exciting and intense from start to finish.  I especially like the way the 2009 fills out in all directions.  Layers of black fruit, smoke and game saturate the palate in this large-scaled, opulent wine.  Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016.   – (Antonio Galloni)

Wine Spectator | 92
Refreshing, pure, ripe and lively, with snappy blackberry and wild berry, mineral, cedar and sage notes, firming nicely on the finish where the tannins make a chewy presence.  Syrah, Petite Sirah, Mourvèdre, Grenache and Zinfandel.  Drink now through 2022.  – (James Laube)

2008 Ingenuity

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
61% Syrah | 17% Grenache | 14% Petite Sirah | 8% Mourvèdre
Aged 22 months in 32% new French oak barrels
415 cases produced

Jeb Dunnuck | 95 
Wildly aromatic, with huge violet, bramble, pepper, and spicy notes, the 2008 Epoch Estate Wines Ingenuity Paderewski Vineyard, a blend of 61% Syrah, 17% Grenache, 14% Petit Sirah, and 8% Mourvedre that was aged for 22 months in 32% new French oak, possesses stunningly pure black and blue fruits, full body, a seamless, gorgeous texture, and a very long finish. As with this estate’s other ‘08s, this holds on to an elegant, balanced, pure character, and should have a solid decade or more of prime drinking. -November 2010 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Rhone Report | 95
Wildly aromatic, with huge violet, bramble, pepper, and spicy notes, the 2008 Epoch Estate Wines Ingenuity Paderewski Vineyard, a blend of 61% Syrah, 17% Grenache, 14% Petit Sirah, and 8% Mourvedre that was aged for 22 months in 32% new French oak, possesses stunningly pure black and blue fruits, full body, a seamless, gorgeous texture, and a very long finish.  As with this estate’s other ‘08s, this holds on to an elegant, balanced, pure character, and should have a solid decade or more of prime drinking.  – (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Spectator | 95
Pure, dense, rich and concentrated, with wonderful structure, delivering layers of dark berry, blueberry and wild berry flavors, with notes of spice, mineral, cedar and black licorice.  This firms on the finish, but still the flavors push through with a wonderful persistency. Syrah, Grenache, Petite Sirah and Mourvèdre.  Drink now through 2020.  – (James Laube)

Vinous | 93
The 2008 Ingenuity bursts from the glass with a rush of dark jammy fruit, spices, leather and licorice. It is at once opulent, yet beautifully balanced, with dazzling intensity in its fruit and soft, seamless finish. In 2008 the blend was 61% Syrah, 17% Grenache. The 2008 Ingenuity spent 22 months in French barrels, 32% new. – August 2011 (Antonio Galloni)

Wine Advocate | 93
The 2008 Ingenuity bursts from the glass with a rush of dark jammy fruit, spices, leather and licorice.  It is at once opulent, yet beautifully balanced, with dazzling intensity in its fruit and soft, seamless finish. In 2008 the blend was 61% Syrah, 17% Grenache.  The 2008 Ingenuity spent 22 months in French barrels, 32% new.  Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020.  –  (Antonio Galloni)

2007 Ingenuity

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
46% Grenache | 43% Syrah | 9% Petite Sirah | 1% Mourvèdre | 1% Zinfandel
Aged 14 months in barrel with 75% new French oak
327 cases produced

Jeb Dunnuck | 94 
The most structured and tannic of the releases, the 2007 Ingenuity is an interesting blend of 46% Grenache, 43% Syrah and 9% Petit Sirah with a dash of Mourvédre and Zinfandel thrown in for good measure. On the nose, this has an almost funky earth slant and I thought there was more Mourvédre than there actually was. Spiced meat, underbrush, leather and a little game notes are framed beautifully by serious dark fruit and licorice aromas. The palate is even better and is full bodied, perfectly balanced and stacked with a mouth coating, rich texture. The structure here is notable but the tannins are perfectly ripe and silky, making this enjoyable now. This is another winner to drink over coming decade or longer. 326 cases. -November 2009 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Rhone Report | 94
The most structured and tannic of the releases, the 2007 Ingenuity is an interesting blend of 46% Grenache, 43% Syrah and 9% Petit Sirah with a dash of Mourvédre and Zinfandel thrown in for good measure.  On the nose, this has an almost funky earth slant and I thought there was more Mourvédre than there actually was.  Spiced meat, underbrush, leather and a little game notes are framed beautifully by serious dark fruit and licorice aromas.  The palate is even better and is full bodied, perfectly balanced and stacked with a mouth coating, rich texture.  The structure here is notable but the tannins are perfectly ripe and silky, making this enjoyable now. This is another winner to drink over coming decade or longer.  – (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Spectator | 94
Ripe, fresh and juicy, with supple blackberry, wild berry and black cherry fruit that’s spicy, balanced, complex and layered, ending with firm, integrated tannins. Grenache, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Mourvèdre and Zinfandel.  Drink now through 2017.  327 cases made.  – (James Laube)

Wine Advocate | 93
The 2007 Ingenuity (another intriguing blend of 46% Grenache, 43% Syrah, and the rest Petite Sirah, Mourvédre, and Tempranillo) has a dense ruby purple color and a slightly more reserved, restrained style when compared to the exuberant Veracity.  Much more delineation and minerality are present in this wine, which exhibits plenty of red and black fruit as well as note of graphite, crushed rock, and spring flowers.  The sweetness of the tannin and the seamless, silky integration of all the component parts are impressive, and the wine is capable of drinking well for another 5-8 years.  – (Robert Parker)

Vinous | 92
Inky violet. Powerful scents of boysenberry, cassis, cracked pepper and fruitcake, with a subtle undertone of violet oil. Very spicy in the mouth, displaying deeply concentrated dark fruit preserve flavors and velvety texture. The floral note comes back on the finish, which is tightly focused for a big wine and very persistent. This is pretty primary today and would benefit from decanting or a few years in the cellar. – November 2009  (Josh Raynolds)


Mourvèdre

2017 Mourvèdre

Catapult & Paderewski Vineyards, Paso Robles
88% Mourvèdre, 12% Grenache
Fermented in concrete and new French oak puncheons
Aged 18 months in French oak puncheons and barrels (91% new)
305 Cases produced
Bottled June 12th, 2019 | Released Fall 2020

Jeb Dunnuck | 97
Blended with 12% Grenache, the 2017 Mourvèdre is rocking stuff, offering loads of red and black currants fruits as well as spiced meats, licorice, pepper, and loamy earth. Full-bodied and powerful, it still stays beautifully balanced and elegant, with sweet tannins. This gorgeous effort will continue to evolve gracefully for 10-12 years or more. -September 2020 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 95 
Inky ruby. Musky dark berry, floral, succulent herb and vanilla aromas show excellent clarity and powerful, spicy lift. Palate-staining black currant, cherry-vanilla, floral pastille and licorice flavors show impressive energy for their heft. Finishes very long and juicy, with repeating dark fruit and floral notes and rounded, slowly mounting tannins providing closing grip. 91% new French oak puncheons. -December 2020 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Advocate | 93
The 2017 Mourvèdre, containing 12% Grenache, was aged 18 months in 91% new French oak. It has a medium ruby color and gives up blueberries, boysenberries and blackcurrants aromas with grilled meats, tar, turned earth, laurel and underbrush. The medium-bodied palate gives intense, perfumed fruits with a finely grained frame and juicy freshness to lift the long, floral finish. 305 cases produced. -February 2020 (Erin Brooks)

2016 Mourvèdre

Catapult Vineyard, Paso Robles
100% Mourvèdre
Fermented in concrete tank
Aged 18 months in French oak mid-sized barrels and puncheons (31% new)
Released Fall 2019 | unfined and unfiltered

Jeb Dunnuck | 97+
A relatively new cuvée based all on Mourvèdre, aged 18 months in 31% new French oak, the 2016 Mourvèdre has a brilliant bouquet of spiced blackberries, cured meats, underbrush, and ground pepper. Full-bodied, deep, and brilliantly concentrated, it has building tannins, terrific balance, and a great, great finish. This is pure Mourvèdre brilliance to enjoy over the coming 10-15 years. 2019 – 2034; October 2019, (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 95
Opaque ruby. Powerful aromas of blackberry, cherry and blueberry liqueur, succulent flowers, vanilla and exotic spices take on a hint of smoky minerality with air. Juicy and expansive on the palate, offering intense, spice- and mineral-laced black and blue fruit and violet pastille flavors, along with a spicy touch of cracked pepper. Finishes on a resonating floral note, with impressive energy, slow-building tannins and lingering blue fruit character. (31% new French oak); February, 2020 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Advocate | 93 
This is made of 100% Mouvèdre aged 18 months in 31% new French oak. Medium to deep ruby-purple colored, the 2016 Mourvèdre gives up fresh blackcurrants and black cherries, mint leaves, loamy earth, cured meats, garrigue and dried lavender on the nose. It’s medium to full-bodied with intense, dark fruits, a firm frame and good freshness to lift the finish. Give this another few years in bottle. 230 cases produced. -February 2020 (Erin Brooks)

2015 Mourvèdre

Catapult Vineyard, Paso Robles
75% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache
Co-fermented 100% whole cluster in one 1-ton bin
Aged 19 months in French oak barrels and puncheons
Release Fall 2018 | unfined and unfiltered

Wine Advocate | 95+
A new cuvée from Epoch, the 2015 Mourvèdre Catapult Vineyard comes from a site planted in 2008 that’s somewhat cooler than the Paderewski Vineyard. It’s a beautiful wine, bursting from the glass with complex aromas of potpourri, wild berries, cinnamon and asphalt. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, layered and super concentrated, with a taut, vibrant core of crunchy fruit. It’s going to demand some time to unwind, but it’s very impressive. – May 2018 (William Kelley)

Jeb Dunnuck | 94
The 2015 Mourvèdre checks in as 75/25 split of Mourvèdre and Grenache that wasn’t destemmed and brought up in a mix of vessels. It offers beautiful notes of black and blue fruits, ground pepper, leafy herbs, and assorted meatiness. With a ripe, layered, sexy style, as well as full-bodied richness and depth, drink it anytime over the coming decade. – November 2018 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 94
(all whole clusters) Bright purple. Smoke-accented cherry and blueberry aromas are complemented by suggestions of candied licorice, incense and five-spice powder. Supple and broad on entry and then more taut in the midpalate, offering deeply concentrated but lively dark fruit liqueur, mocha and spicecake flavors and a hint of candied violet. Closes on a sweet blue fruit note, showing impressive persistence and building tannins. – September 2018 (Josh Raynolds)


Reserva Tempranillo

2016 Reserva Tempranillo

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles

Jeb Dunnuck | 97
The 2016 Tempranillo Reserva sees an extended élevage and spent 33 months in 26% new French oak. It’s a solid step up over the classic release and has stunning notes of spiced blackberries, cured meats, chocolate, and vanilla. Stunning on the palate as well, with full-bodied richness, a great mid-palate, and sweet tannins, it’s brilliant today and will still be brilliant in a decade. -September 2020 (Jeb Dunnuck)

2013 Reserva Tempranillo

Catapult Vineyard, Paso Robles
78% Tempranillo | 22% Grenache
Fermented in stainless steel tanks
Aged for 35 months in French oak barrles (40% new)
Released Fall 2017 | unfined and unfiltered

Wine Advocate | 95
Deep garnet colored, the 2013 Tempranillo Reserve (aged a year longer in barrel than the straight Tempranillo) opens with notes of kirsch, baked blackberries and dried mulberries with touches of sandalwood, bay leaves, cloves and fragrant earth. Full-bodied, concentrated and seductively structured, the tannins have taken on a lovely velvety texture, framing the spicy fruit and contributing to the plush finish. – September 2017 (Lisa Perotti-Brown)

2012 Reserva Tempranillo

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
100% Tempranillo
Fermented ~75% whole cluster in new French oak puncheons and stainless steel tank
Aged for 29 months in 88% new French oak barrels and puncheons
Released Spring 2016 | Unfined and Unfiltered

Wine Advocate | 95+
A new wine that saw an extended barrel elevage, the 2012 Tempranillo Reserve offers black fruits, leather, coffee bean and dried violet nuances to go with a rich, concentrated, stunningly textured profile on the palate. It has lots of polished tannin and will need to forgotten for 2-3 years. – August 2015 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 93 
Glass-staining ruby. Spice-accented aromas of ripe red berries, cherry pit, vanilla and candied rose take on a smoky element as the wine opens up. Sappy and sharply focused; zesty acidity adds lift and cut to the intense bitter cherry, raspberry and floral pastille flavors. Finishes extremely long, delivering silky, slow-building tannins, a kick of exotic spices and lingering red fruit character. There’s 75 percent new French oak here but it’s playing very nicely with the vibrant fruit. -September 2016 (Josh Raynolds)


Rosé

2020 Rosé

Decanter | 92 
Pale onion skin pink that belies a meaty Mourvèdre nose. The fruit, however, comes rushing in on the palate – all pink grapefruit, peach, nectarine and lemongrass. There’s lovely freshness but nothing half-hearted or trivial. The grape varieties have left quite an impression despite being parted from their skins early and the final blend is both savoury and appetising, as well as being thoroughly satisfying. – August 2021 (Clare Tooley)

2019 Rosé

Catapult, Paderewski and York Mountain Vineyards, Paso Robles
62% Mourvèdre | 21% Grenache | 17% Syrah
Fermented in stainless steel barrels with frequent bâtonnage
Aged four months sur lie: 100% stainless steel barrels
Released Spring 2019
1,240 Cases

Vinous | 93
Limpid orange-pink. Mineral-accented red berries and blood orange on the incisive nose, along with a suave floral nuance. Densely packed yet lively on the palate, offering juicy red currant, raspberry and citrus zest flavors that spread out slowly on the back half. Finishes with firm, minerally cut and strong persistence, leaving a honeysuckle note behind. -December 2020 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Advocate | 92 
The 2019 Rosé is made of 62% Mourvèdre, 21% Grenache and 17% Syrah. It has a medium onion skin color and bright, fresh aromas of baker’s yeast, tarragon, lemon pith and stone. The palate is medium-bodied and explodes with peachy fruits and is super fresh and super lifted on the finish, calling you in for another sip. 1,186 cases produced. -October 2020 (Erin Brooks)

2018 Rosé

Catapult, Paderewski and York Mountain Vineyards, Paso Robles
43% Mourvèdre | 37% Grenache | 20% Syrah
Fermented in stainless steel barrels
Aged four months sur lie: 100% stainless steel barrels
Released Spring 2019
770 Cases

Vinous | 92 Rosé Roundup 
Bright salmon skin. Aromas of white peach, strawberry, tangerine and pungent flowers pick up a minerally quality with time in the glass. Silky and energetic in the mouth, offering pliant pit fruit, red berry and citrus pith flavors that spread out steadily on the back half. Impressively concentrated but not at all fat, showing sharp delineation on a velvety finish that strongly echoes the berry and floral notes. -August 2019 (Josh Raynolds)

Jeb Dunnuck | 90
The 2018 Rosé is a solid, Provençal effort that has plenty of orange blossom, strawberry, citrus pith, and spice notes as well as a medium-bodied, fresh, lively, crisp style on the palate that’s a joy to drink. Drink 2019; October 2019, (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 89 
The 2018 Rosé is made from 43% Mourvèdre, 37% Grenache and 20% Syrah. Medium salmon-pink in color, the nose offers white strawberries, lemon peel, crushed stone, hints of dried herbs and peachy fruit at the core. The light to medium-bodied palate is fresh and clean with a juicy, fresh finish. 770 cases produced. -February 2020 (Erin Brooks)

2017 Rosé

Catapult and Paderewski Vineyards, Paso Robles
48% Mourvèdre | 28% Grenache | 24% Syrah
Fermented cool in stainless steel barrels with weekly bâtonnage
Aged 4 months sur lie in stainless steel barrels

Vinous | 93
Pale orange-pink. Displays incisive, mineral-accented redcurrant, strawberry, blood orange and white pepper aromas, along with a sneaky basil nuance. Chewy, dry and sharply focused on the palate, offering sharply delineated citrus fruit, red berry and floral pastille flavors that deepen and give way to more plush peach and melon qualities on the back half. Shows outstanding clarity, tension and mineral cut on the finish, which hangs on with impressive tenacity. This taut but generous wine, which effortlessly mixes power and finesse, makes a strong case for being the most impressive New World pink wine that I tasted this year. Hell, it’s one of the handful of best rosés that I’ve recently had, from anywhere. If you like rocks in your rosé, here’s your wine. Drink 2018 – 2021 – August 2018 (Josh Raynolds)

International Wine Report | 92 
The 2017 Epoch Rosé is sourced from the Catapult and Paderewski Vineyards in Paso Robles. It is composed from 48% Mourvèdre, 28% Grenache and 24% Syrah and starts off with aromatics of delicate red fruits. The silky texture impresses with red cherry candy and guava purée connecting with a touch of citrus. Sturdy yet balanced, this is an outstanding wine by winemaker Jordan Fiorentini.

Wine Advocate | 92
The 2017 Rosé from Epoch is immensely impressive and certainly deserves a place on the shortlist of the best Californian rosés I’ve tried in the last couple of years. It’s a Mourvèdre-based wine that includes some Grenache saigné, and it’s fermented and matured in stainless steel barrels. The wine offers up a pretty bouquet of peach, crisp melon and subtle herbs, followed by a medium-bodied, delicately textural palate with succulent acids and lovely concentration, concluding with a pure, beautifully defined finish. Drink 2018 – 2021. – May 2018 (William Kelley)

Jeb Dunnuck | 91
The 2017 Rosé is also fabulous and will give a top rose from Bandol a run for its money. Made from 48% Mourvèdre, 28% Grenache and the rest Syrah, it offers a light pink color as well as terrific notes of strawberries, orange peel, and fresh flowers. It’s clean, crisp, and pure on the palate with bright acidity, and it’s a terrific rose to drink over the coming 6-12 months. Drink after 2018. – November 2018 (Jeb Dunnuck)

2016 Rosé

Catapult and Paderewski Vineyards, Paso Robles
48% Mourvèdre | 36% Grenache | 16% Syrah
Fermented cool in stainless steel barrels with weekly bâtonnage
Aged 4 months sur lie in stainless steel barrels

Jeb Dunnuck | 92 
The 2016 Rosé is straight up gorgeous, and I’d put this up against the best rosés in the world. Revealing a light salmon color, it has lots of strawberry, dried flowers, and saline-like minerality in a medium-bodied, rich, gorgeously textured style. It has real depth, yet stays fresh and lively. It’s not cheap, but it’s damn good. – August, 2017 (Jeb Dunnuck)

2015 Rosé

Catapult and Paderewski Vineyards, Paso Robles
54% Mourvèdre | 35% Grenache | 11% Syrah

Fermented in stainless steel barrels with weekly batonage. 50% whole cluster press/50% saignee
Fermented in stainless steel barrels and one French concrete egg
Aged five months Sur Lie in stainless steel barrels

Vinous | 92 & Rosé Roundup 
Light, brilliant orange. Powerful, mineral-accented aromas of dried red berries, blood orange, rose pastille and fennel on the assertively perfumed nose. Offers palate-staining redcurrant and tangerine flavors that are given lift and focus by a chalky mineral nuance and a vibrant floral note. Impressively concentrated yet graceful and precise, with superb finishing precision and lingering florality. I’d put this suave, strikingly balanced wine up against all of the top pink Bandols, all day and any day. – August 2016 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Advocate | 90
Made from a mix of Mourvèdre, Grenache and Syrah, the 2015 Rosé from Epoch offers terrific notes of strawberries, herbes de Provence and citrus in a medium-bodied, balanced, refreshing style. It’s a seriously good rose that will be very versatile on the dinner table and drink well through this time next year. – August 2016 (Jeb Dunnuck)

2012 Rosé

Catapult and Paderewski Vineyards, Paso Robles
43% Grenache | 34% Syrah | 14% Cinsault | 9% Mourvèdre

Wine Advocate | 90
A smoking good rosé that’s made in a dry, Provençal style, the 2012 Rosé delivers up notions of orange rind, mineral and strawberry with a fresh, lightly textured palate that has solid length and richness. Drink it over the coming year or so. Drink now. – August 2013 (Jeb Dunnuck)

2011 Rosé

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
68% Syrah | 32% Grenache
Fermented and aged for 4 months in stainless steel barrels
131 cases produced

Jeb Dunnuck | 91 
Sporting a light salmon color, the 2011 Epoch Estate Wines Rosé is a classic, Provencal styled Rose that exudes class, with juicy, fresh aromas of orange blossom, strawberry, and hints of grapefruit to go with a medium-bodied, crisp palate. Made mostly from whole-cluster pressed Syrah and a touch of Grenache, this first-rate dry rose should be purchased by the case, and consumed over the coming 1-2 years. -June 2012 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 90
(made from two-thirds syrah, which was vinified with whole clusters, and one-third saignee grenache): Pale orange. A high-pitched, spice-accented bouquet evokes strawberry, blood orange, baking spices and dusty minerals. Lively and silky in texture, offering suave flavors of red berries, citrus fruits and candied rose. Finishes on a refreshingly bitter note, with very good energy and precision. – November 2012 (Josh Raynolds)


Sensibility

2021 Sensibility

Jeb Dunnuck | 92 – 94 
Starting off the 2021s from barrel, the Grenache-dominated 2021 Sensibility offers lots pretty red and blue fruits as well as floral and spicy incense notes. It’s medium to full-bodied, fresh, and focused, with terrific balance as well as complexity. – September 2022 (Jeb Dunnuck)

2020 Sensibility

Jeb Dunnuck | 93-95 
Mostly Grenache (there’s 21% Syrah), the 2020 Sensibility has a pretty, medium to full-bodied, balanced, and pure style (I certainly couldn’t find any smoke here) revealing ripe dark fruits, some peppery herb and incense notes, ripe tannins, and a great finish. – September 2022 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 95 
The 2020 Sensibility was harvested September 15-28 and is a blend of 79% Grenache and 21% Syrah. Matured for 17 months in neutral oak, it has a medium ruby-purple color and scents of cherry pie, burnt orange peel, tobacco leaves and garrigue. The full-bodied palate is slightly chewy and savory, with a concentrated core of fruit and a long, floral finish. 487 cases were made. – December 30, 2022 (Erin Brooks)

2019 Sensibility

100% Paderewski Vineyard
100% Grenache

Jeb Dunnuck | 93-95 
Medium ruby-hued, the 2019 Sensibility offers a floral, feminine style that carries beautiful raspberry and strawberry fruits, medium-bodied richness, light, silky tannins, and a great finish. It’s another impressive barrel sample that’s going to offer lots of upfront charm yet also evolve gracefully.  – September 2020 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 95
The 2019 Sensibility is an elegant style of Grenache that matured for 17 months. Medium ruby-purple, it has pure scents of blueberries and black cherries, with notes of milk chocolate, pencil shavings, lilac and dried herbs. The palate is lifted, silky and fresh, with approachable yet layered spicy fruits and a long, floral finish. 571 cases were made, and this will be released in the spring of 2022.  – November 2021 (Erin Brooks)

Jeb Dunnuck | 94
The 2019 Sensibility checks in as 100% Grenache that was harvested between September 27 and October 3, which is late for this site. Beautiful kirsch and mulberry fruits as well as herbes de Provence, spice, and pepper define the bouquet, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with a pretty, layered texture and outstanding length. – September 2021 (Jeb Dunnuck)

2018 Sensibility

100% Paderewski Vineyard
95% Grenache | 5% Syrah

Jeb Dunnuck | 96
The 2018 Sensibility checks in as 95% Grenache and 5% Syrah, all from the Paderewski Vineyard, and it was bottled just three weeks prior to this tasting. I always love this cuvée, and the 2018 shows the purity and elegance of the vintage as well as classic Grenache notes of black raspberries, dried flowers, and toasted spice. It’s finesse-oriented, yet it’s rich, super-sexy, and just a joy to drink. -September 2020 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 96 
Made entirely of Grenache, the medium to deep ruby-purple colored 2018 Grenache York Mountain grows in sandstone and was aged 18 months in neutral oak. The nose is singular and spicy, with addicting, layered aromas of earth, spices, meats and tricolored fruits, more nuances and layers coming through with time in the glass. The palate is full-bodied, firm, ripe and super fresh, with full fruit character corseted by an elegant frame, and it finishes long and expansive. Wow! 289 cases produced. -October 2020 (Erin Brooks)

Vinous | 96
Bright ruby-red. Vibrant, mineral-tinged cherry, red berry and floral qualities on the nose, along with suggestions of licorice and Asian spices. Sweet and energetic in the mouth, offering juicy raspberry, cherry liqueur and spicecake flavors underscored by a vein of smoky minerality. Smooth and seamless in texture, with polished tannins lending shape and subtle grip to a wonderfully long, spice- and floral-driven finish. Raised in a combination of concrete tulips and neutral French oak puncheons. – July 2022 (Josh Raynolds)

2017 Sensibility

100% Paderewski Vineyard
100% Grenache
Fermented in concrete tanks
Aged 18 months: 48% in concrete egg and the balance in neutral French oak puncheons
Released Spring 2020
498 Cases Produced

Vinous | 96
Dark, brilliant ruby. Heady, spice-accented aromas of ripe red berries and potpourri gain vivacity from a smoky mineral element. Alluringly sweet raspberry, cherry and lavender pastille flavors are enhanced by suggestions of allspice, star anise and white pepper that build on the back half. Conveys a suave blend of power and finesse and finishes with outstanding clarity and floral-driven persistence. -December 2020 (Josh Raynolds)

Jeb Dunnuck | 94
The 2017 Sensibility comes all from the Paderewski Vineyard and was fermented in a mix of puncheons and concrete tanks. Made in a fresher, more elegant style, yet still with plenty of Grenache oomph, its ruby/translucent color is followed by lots of kirsch and strawberry-like fruits as well as notes of violets, spring flowers, licorice, and ground pepper. Medium to full-bodied, juicy, and elegant, it has moderate tannins and terrific balance. It should evolve nicely for a good 8-10 years. -September 2020 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 93 
The 2017 Sensibility is made of 100% Grenache and was aged 18 months in concrete and neutral puncheons. Pale to medium ruby-purple in the glass, it has youthful aromas of cinnamon toast, fresh raspberries, crushed red cherries, blood orange, strawberry jam and touches of dried earth, chaparral and potpourri. Light to medium-bodied, it’s fresh and light on its feet with bright, floral-tinged fruits, a lightly grainy frame and lip-smacking freshness calling you back for another sip on the long finish. 498 cases produced. -February 2020 (Erin Brooks)

2016 Sensibility

Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards, Paso Robles
97% Grenache, 3% Mourvèdre
Fermented in concrete tanks
Aged 18 months: 15% in concrete egg and the balance in neutral French oak puncheons (500Ls)
Released Spring 2019 | unfined and unfiltered

Vinous | 97
Deep, glistening ruby. An assertively perfumed bouquet evokes ripe cherry, red berry preserves incense and exotic spices and a sexy floral topnote builds dramatically as the wine opens up. Stains the palate with alluringly sweet Chambord, cherry liqueur, floral pastille and spicecake flavors that convey a compelling blend of richness and energy. Velvety, even tannins build steadily through an extremely long, spicy finish that leaves sappy red fruit, baking spice and smoky mineral notes behind. (raised in neutral French oak puncheons and tulip-shaped concrete tanks); February, 2020 (Josh Raynolds)

Jeb Dunnuck  | 96
Coming all from the estate Paderewski Vineyard, the 2016 Sensibility (97% Grenache and 3% Mourvèdre) has a medium ruby color as well as a brilliant bouquet of blackberries, ground herbs, spice box, and herbes de Provence. With plenty of upfront charm, medium to full body, ripe tannins, and a great finish, it’s beautifully done and ranks with the finest Grenache in the vintage. 2019 – 2031; October 2019, (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 93 
The 2016 Sensibility is made of 97% Grenache and 3% Mourvèdre aged 18 months in concrete and neutral puncheons. Medium ruby-purple in the glass, it has a nose of roast coffee, scorched earth, dried rose petals, red cherries, raspberry preserves, underbrush, powdered sugar and blue fruit hints. The palate is light to medium-bodied, expansive and perfumed with savory-laced, juicy fruits, a grainy frame and long, floral finish. 489 cases produced. -February 2020 (Erin Brooks)

2015 Sensibility

Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards, Paso Robles
96% Grenache, Alban 1 and 362 clones, 4% Syrah
Fermented in concrete and stainless steel tanks
Aged for 18 months: 14% in concrete egg and the balance in French oak puncheons
Released Spring 2018 | unfined and unfiltered

Wine Advocate | 96
Made from 96% Grenache and 4% Syrah, co-fermented, aged 14% in concrete egg and the rest in French puncheons, the 2015 Sensibility has a gorgeous nose of roses, star anise and dark chocolate over a core of black cherries, mulberries and blueberry compote. Medium to full-bodied, rich, velvety and seductive in the mouth, it has seamless freshness and a long, perfumed finish. 534 cases were made. Drink 2017 – 2030. – September 2017 (Lisa Perrotti-Brown)

Vinous | 96
(raised for 18 months in large neutral French oak casks and concrete eggs) Bright violet. Heady red fruit liqueur, incense, Asian spice and licorice scents are complemented by smoky mineral and floral notes. Sappy, sweet and seamless in the mouth, offering wonderfully concentrated yet energetic Chambord, floral pastille and spicecake flavors and a deeper suggestion of dark chocolate. Displays outstanding clarity and potent red fruit thrust on the endless finish, which is framed by smooth tannins and sharpened by a snap of juicy acidity. Drink 2024 -2033. September 2018 (Josh Raynolds)

Jeb Dunnuck | 95
Moving to the reds, the 2015 Sensibility is 96% Grenache and 4% Syrah that was aged 18 months in mostly neutral French oak puncheons, with 14% in concrete eggs. This medium ruby colored effort offers terrific notes of kirsch, blackberries, dried herbs, and earth, and it reminds me a top Chateauneuf du Pape from more sandy soils (Marcoux?). With medium to full body, a silky, rounded, elegant texture, and a great finish, it’s a beautiful Grenache from these limestone hills. After 2018; November 2018

Wine Enthusiast | 93 & Cellar Selection
It’s rare for a Grenache to be deemed cellar worthy, but this beauty, which is strategically bolstered by 4% Syrah, packs the right mix of tannin, alcohol and acidity to do the trick. Baked red cherries, clove and gingerbread show on the nose, while the sip grips the palate with chalky tannins, showing flavors of plum, cranberry, orange rind and baking spice. Drink now through 2028. – April 2019 (Matt Kettmann)

2014 Sensibility

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
100% Grenache, Alban 1 and 362 clones
Fermented in concrete tank
Aged ~18 months: 100% in concrete tulip
Released Fall 2017 | unfined and unfiltered

Jeb Dunnuck | 97
I loved the 2014 Sensibility (100% Grenache from the estate Paderewski Vineyard brought up all in concrete tanks), and this is up with some of the best Grenaches I’ve tasted from California. Kirsch, blackberries, spice, dried flowers and incense notes all emerge from this sexy, thrillingly textured 2014 that shows the forward, sexy style of the vintage. It reminds me a great vintage of Julien Barrot’s Domaine la Barroche Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvée Pure. – August 2017 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 95+
Produced from 100% Grenache and aged in concrete, the 2014 Sensibility has a medium to deep garnet color and expressive nose of crushed red and black cherries, black raspberries and roses with hints of Chinese five spice, black pepper and tapenade. Full-bodied, rich, opulent and oh-so-spicy, the palate has a firm yet velvety texture, with great freshness and a very long finish. 242 cases produced. September 2017 (Lisa Perrotti-Brown)

Vinous | 94
Saturated ruby. A highly perfumed bouquet displays scents of ripe red and blue fruits, incense and smoky minerals, along with a spicecake nuance that builds in the glass. Juicy, alluringly sweet raspberry liqueur and floral pastille flavors become fleshier and deeper with air while maintaining a refreshingly nervy quality. Seamless and pure, finishing with excellent persistence and harmonious tannins that come in slowly. – November 2017 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Enthusiast | 94
Elegance, depth and power rise to the stage in this bottling by Jordan Fiorentini, who packs in aromas of concentrated red cherry, turned loam, bay leaf and packed rose petals. The mouthfeel is lavish at first, and then the tannins firm up, delivering flavors of cherry compote, orange rind and rosebuds. Zesty acidity runs throughout. – May 2018 (Matt Kettmann)

International Wine Report | 93
The 2014 ‘Sensibility’ is sourced from the Paderewski Vineyard in the Willow Creek District of Paso Robles. This wine was aged in a combination of concrete eggs and oak for 18 months prior to bottling. It begins with aromas of red cherry reductions, rose petals and coffee grounds. The rich palate delivers a lovely combination of dark and red fruit flavors with a touch of chocolate and baking spices. While this is already extremely appealing, it should cellar well for a decade or more. (Best 2017-2027) – December 2017 (OB)

Wine Spectator | 91
Plump and ripe, but well-built, with expressive dark raspberry, smoky sage and licorice flavors that persist toward polished tannins. Drink now through 2023. 242 cases made. – April 2018 (Tim Fish)

2013 Sensibility

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
100% Grenache, Alban 1 and 362 clones
Fermented in concrete tank
Aged for 15 months in neutral French oak puncheons
Released Fall 2015 | unfined and unfiltered

Vinous | 93
Brilliant violet color. Sexy smoke- and spice-accented aromas of ripe red berries and incense, with a mineral topnote. Juicy, penetrating and pure, conveying wonderful lift to its raspberry and lavender flavors. Closes with resonating spiciness, silky tannins and a strong echo of candied red fruit. – September 2015 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Advocate | 92
Fermented in concrete tanks before being moved to neutral barrels, the 100% Grenache 2013 Sensibility offers lots of pretty strawberry and darker-edged Grenache fruit, exotic flowers, mint and spice to go with a juicy, elegant, medium to full-bodied profile on the palate. Drink this semi-opaque, ruby colored beauty over the coming 5-7 years. – August 2015 (Jeb Dunnuck)

2012 Sensibility

Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards, Paso Robles
100% Grenache
Fermented in concrete tanks
Aged for 12 months in a concrete egg and 4 months in neutral French oak puncheons
274 cases produced | unfined and unfiltered

Vinous | 93
The 2012 Sensibility is soft, perfumed and very nicely balanced. Crushed flowers, spices, mint, leather and red stone fruits are woven together in the glass. Ripe, silky tannins support the highly expressive finish. This is the first vintage in which the Grenache was fermented with whole clusters, (40%) and aged in concrete, an approach that works beautifully here. In 2012, Sensibility also includes fruit from Catapult for the first time, which is about 20% of the blend, which is 95% Grenache and 5% Syrah. – July 2014 (Antonio Galloni)

Wine Advocate | 92
The 2012 Sensibility, 100% Grenache, is a layered, seamless effort that straddles the spectrum between the voluptuous, decadent style and the more finesse-driven, lighter weight example of the variety that California prefers to make. Showing an evolved, spice-laced bouquet of sweet kirsch, herbs de Provence, dusty soil, graphite and potpourri, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a core of sweet fruit, and a savory, slightly rustic tannin profile that continues to sweeten up with time in the glass. It drinks beautifully now with a decant, yet will evolve gracefully for another 7-8 years. – August 2014 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Spectator | 91
Firm and dense, with a rich core of black licorice-laced berry and dusty, cedary oak. Taut, gripping tannins give the flavors traction, leaving gravelly, road tar-inflected sensation. Drink now thorugh 2028. – December 2014 (James Laube)

2011 Sensibility

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
95% Grenache (Alban Clone 1) | 5% Syrah
Fermented in 100% concrete
Aged 16 months in 100% neutral puncheons
100 cases produced | unfined and unfiltered

Wine Advocate | 93
The 2011 Sensibility is pretty and elegant, with savory spice, underbrush and raspberry-styled aromas and flavors flowing to a medium to full-bodied, lively palate.  Rounded and supple, with beautiful fruit and texture, it won’t make old bones but will dish out loads of pleasure over the coming 5-6 years.  Drink now – 2019.  – August 2013 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 92
Deep ruby. Heady aromas of blueberry and cherry compote, with notes of spicecake and lavender adding complexity. Lush, deeply pitched dark fruit flavors show very good vivacity and power, with a spicy quality building on the back end. A suave marriage of richness and elegance, finishing with echoes of floral pastilles and soft tannins. – November 2013 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Spectator | 92
A rich, potent wine that combines power with finesse, featuring juicy wild berry, raspberry, spice and black licorice notes complemented by hints of fresh earth and dried herb.  Gains depth and length, maintaining a graceful balance.  Grenache and Syrah. Drink now through 2024. – January 2014 (James Laube)

2010 Sensibility

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
75% Grenache | 22% Mourvèdre | 3% Syrah
Aged for 18 months in a once-used French oak puncheon
87 cases produced | unfined and unfiltered

Jeb Dunnuck | 95 
A gorgeous wine and one of the top Grenache blends coming out of California today, the 2010 Epoch Estate Wines Sensibility Paderewski Vineyard – named after the Jane Austen novel Sense and Sensibility – is a blend of 75% Grenache, 22% Mourvedre, and 3% Syrah that was aged all in neutral puncheons. It offers a perfumed, sweet array of creamy black raspberry, licorice, spiced meat, and big minerality to go with a full-bodied, seamless, and beautifully textured mouth feel. Building in richness and depth over the evening and possessing an elegant, pure character, it should thrill for 5-8 years, possibly longer. -August 2012 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Rhone Report | 95
A gorgeous wine and one of the top Grenache blends coming out of California today, the 2010 Epoch Estate Wines Sensibility Paderewski Vineyard  –  named after the Jane Austen novel Sense and Sensibility  –  is a blend of 75% Grenache, 22% Mourvedre, and 3% Syrah that was aged all in neutral puncheons.  It offers a perfumed, sweet array of creamy black raspberry, licorice, spiced meat, and big minerality to go with a full-bodied, seamless, and beautiful textured mouth feel.  Building in richness and depth over the evening and possessing an elegant, pure character, it should thrill for 5-8 years, possibly longer.  – (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 95
A gorgeous wine and one of my favorite Grenache blends coming out of California today, the 2010 Sensibility (named after the Jane Austen novel “Sense and Sensibility”) is a blend of 75% Grenache, 22% Mourvedre and 3% Syrah that was aged all in neutral puncheons.  It offers a perfumed, sweet array of creamy black raspberry, licorice, spiced meat and big minerality to go with a full-bodied, seamless and beautifully textured mouth feel. Building in richness and depth over the evening and possessing an elegant, pure character, it should thrill for 5-7 years, possibly longer.  Drink now-2020.  – (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Spectator | 94
Layers of ripe dark red fruit followed by more exotic notes of orange peel and sweet spices flow from the 2010 Sensibility.  This decidedly more flashy style, partly becuase of the aging in relatively new French oak puncheons.  With time in the glass, the wine shows off striking inner perfume and serious density.  Anticipated maturity: 2013 – 2016. – (James Laube)

Vinous | 93+
Layers of ripe dark red fruit followed by more exotic notes of orange peel and sweet spices flow from the 2010 Sensibility.  This is a decidedly more flashy style, partly because of the aging in relatively new French oak puncheons.  With time in the glass, the wine shows off striking inner perfume and serious density. – August 2012 (Antonio Galloni)

2009 Sensibility

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
75% Grenache | 21% Mourvèdre | 4% Syrah
Aged in 23 months in 30% new French oak
288 cases produced | unfined and unfiltered

Jeb Dunnuck | 93 
Elegant, seamless and made with the goal of highlighting the more feminine side to Paso Robles, the 2009 Sensibility is a blend of 75% Grenache, 21% Mourvedre, and 4% Syrah that’s aged for 23 months in French oak barrels and puncheons, 30% being new. Opaque, yet with some lightening at the rim, this Châteauneuf-du-Pape look alike boasts classy aromas of blackberry, smoked cherries, dried spice, licorice, and leather on the nose. More suave and deep than upfront and overt, this unwinds with air and possesses a medium to full-bodied, silky texture, perfectly ripe fruit, and a serious finish that builds through the mid-palate and highlights ripe, fine tannin. Absolutely delicious and just a joy to drink, this should continue to impress for another 5-8 years, if not longer. -December 2011 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Rhone Report | 93
Elegant, seamless and made with the goal of highlighting the more feminine side to Paso Robles, the 2009 Sensibility is a blend of 75% Grenache, 21% Mourvèdre, and 4% Syrah that‟s aged for 23 months in French oak barrels and puncheons, 30% being new.  Opaque, yet with some lightening at the rim, this Châteauneuf-du-Pape look alike boasts classy aromas of blackberry, smoked cherries, dried spice, licorice, and leather on the nose.  More suave and deep than upfront and overt, this unwinds with air and possesses a medium to full-bodied, silky texture, perfectly ripe fruit, and a serious finish that builds through the mid-palate and highlights ripe, fine tannin.  Absolutely delicious and just a joy to drink, this should continue to impress for another 5-8 years, if not longer.  – (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 91
The Grenache-based 2009 Sensibility is quite powerful at first, but then loses some of its complexity on the mid-palate and finish. Dark red cherries, herbs and spices are some of the notes that are found in the glass. The 2009 is 75% Grenache, 21% Mourvedre and 4% Syrah. It is ideally enjoyed over the next 2-3 years. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2014. – (Antonio Galloni)

Vinous | 91
Bright violet.  An exotically perfumed bouquet evokes red berries, gingerbread and fresh rose.  Smooth and seamless on the palate, with intense raspberry and cherry flavors perked up by clove and cracked pepper. Sweet and focused on the finish, with the red fruit note repeating.  – November 2011 (Josh Raynolds)


Tempranillo

The Wine Advocate: Jeb’s Best of 2013
International Wine Report #13 Wine of the Year for 2012

2020 Tempranillo

Paderewski  Vineyard, Paso Robles

Jeb Dunnuck | 93 – 95
The 2020 Tempranillo is cut from the same cloth as the 2019, with a full-bodied, powerful, black-fruited style as well as ripe tannins and one heck of a mid-palate. This cuvée is always one of the more structured wines from Epoch and seems to benefit from a few years of bottle age. – September 2022 (Jeb Dunnuck)

2019 Tempranillo

Paderewski  Vineyard, Paso Robles

Jeb Dunnuck | 95 – 97
Not yet bottled, the 2019 Tempranillo would be a dead ringer for a great Rioja in a blind tasting. Sporting a deep purple hue as well as a great nose of black fruits, spice, chocolaty oak, tobacco, and graphite, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, has a pure, concentrated, focused mouthfeel, integrated oak, and awesome tannins on the finish. – September 2022 (Jeb Dunnuck)

2018 Tempranillo

Paderewski  Vineyard, Paso Robles

Jeb Dunnuck | 94-96+
More gravelly earth, ground pepper, and savory spice notes emerge from the 2018 Tempranillo, which is a full-bodied, concentrated, structured example of this variety that has lots to love. Showing more floral notes with time in the glass, give bottles 2-3 years in a cold cellar and enjoy over the following decade. -September 2020 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Jeb Dunnuck | 94+
I always love the Tempranillo from this estate. Based on 85% Tempranillo with the rest Graciano and Syrah (co-fermented), all from the estate Paderewski Vineyard, the 2018 Tempranillo is tight and compact on the palate and has medium to full bodied richness, building tannins, good mid-palate depth, and more reserved notes of black fruits, chalky minerality, charcoal, and spice. It needs 2-3 years of bottle age, but it’s a rich, powerful wine that will keep for 10-12 years. – September 2021 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 95
Opaque violet. Cassis, kirsch, dark chocolate, vanilla and licorice on the profoundly perfumed nose, along with exotic floral and spice notes. Appealingly sweet black and blue fruit preserve and candied rose flavors are complemented by oak spice and vanilla nuances. Finishes smooth, broad and extremely long, with well-judged tannins framing reverberating dark fruit and spice notes. This is a superb example of the variety, from anywhere, but especially from outside of Spain. Aged for 29 months in a combination of French oak barrels and puncheons, 54% of them new. – July 2022 (Josh Raynolds)

2017 Tempranillo

Paderewski  Vineyard, Paso Robles
100% Tempranillo
Fermented in oak puncheons and concrete tanks
Aged 19 months in French oak barrels and puncheons (67% new)
497 cases produced
Bottled June 13, 2019 | Released Fall 2020

Jeb Dunnuck | 94+
Blackberries, savory herbs, dried earth, and lots of spiced meat notes emerge from the 2017 Tempranillo. This full-bodied red has a great texture, some classic Tempranillo tannins, and a terrific finish. It’s going to evolve for a solid decade. -September 2020 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 94 
Deep, brilliant violet. Expansive, smoke-accented aromas of cassis, cherry, mocha and licorice; a suave floral nuance builds in the glass. Appealingly sweet and expressive on the palate, offering deeply concentrated black/blue fruit, vanilla and candied lavender flavors and a touch of star anise. Shows excellent detail and powerful thrust on a long, sappy finish framed by harmonious, slowly building tannins. 67% new French oak. -December 2020 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Advocate | 94
The 2017 Tempranillo comes from the Paderewski vineyard and was aged 19 months in 67% new French oak barrels and puncheons. It has an opaque ruby-purple color and a nose of sour cherries and Italian plums with underlying nuances of tar, coffee, leather and soy sauce. The palate is super spicy, bright and fresh, with a firm structuring frame and long, layered finish. It’s an elegant New World expression of the grape. -October 2020 (Erin Brooks)

2016 Tempranillo

Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards, Paso Robles
100% Tempranillo
Fermented in 35% new French oak puncheons, stainless steel, and oak tanks
Aged 19 months in French oak barrels and puncheons (80% new)
Released Fall 2019 | unfined and unfiltered

Vinous | 94
Deep violet. Sexy, high-pitched red and dark berry and floral pastille aromas are complemented by suggestions of baking spices, vanilla and smoky minerals. Sharply focused, spice-laced raspberry, cherry and rose pastille flavors slowly deepen and become sweeter with aeration. Supple tannins add gentle grip to the long, sappy finish, which leaves notes of cherry liqueur and star anise behind. 80% new French oak; February, 2020 (Josh Raynolds)

Jeb Dunnuck | 93+
The 2016 Tempranillo is concentrated and structured, with medium to full-bodied richness and depth as well as terrific currant and berry fruits, ground herbs, graphite, and some distinct minerality. It’s going to blossom with 2-3 years of bottle age. 2021-2033; October 2019 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 93 
The 2016 Tempranillo contains 2% Syrah and aged 19 months in 80% new French oak barrels and puncheons. Medium to deep ruby-purple, it offers up red and black cherries, redcurrants, old leather, wild game, scorched earth, garrigue and lavender scents with a lightly savory/earthy undercurrent. The palate is medium to full-bodied, silky and intense but delicately styled with a pleasantly chalky frame and great freshness, finishing long and layered. This is an elegant, well-balanced and expertly made example of classically styled Tempranillo from the new world. Give this another 2-3 years in bottle. 363 cases were made. -February 2020 (Erin Brooks)

2015 Tempranillo

Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards, Paso Robles
99% Tempranillo, 1% Grenache
Fermented in concrete, oak tank, and 1/2-ton new French oak puncheons
Aged 19 months in French oak barrels (60% new)
Released Fall 2018 | unfined and unfiltered

Jeb Dunnuck | 98
I suspect the finest vintage to date, the 2015 Tempranillo shows a more elegant, seamless style that’s reminiscent of some of the great Tempranillo releases from Spain. Tons of black fruits, charcoal, charred meats, and graphite notes all give way to a full-bodied red that has a weightless, seamless texture, building tannins, and a blockbuster finish. I haven’t had a truly aged Tempranillo from California, so I hate to push too hard on the aging curve (especially when it’s this good already), but I suspect this will have over two decade of longevity. Drink 2018 – 2028. November 2018 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 94
(aged in French oak barrels, 60% of them new, for 19 months) Opaque ruby. Powerful aromas of ripe black and blue fruits, vanilla, incense and candied rose, along with smoky mineral and licorice notes. Broad, fleshy and appealingly sweet, offering sappy boysenberry and cherry-vanilla flavors that firm up steadily on the back half. Rich yet vibrant in character, displaying excellent finishing clarity and smooth tannins that frame the wine’s densely packed, sweet fruit. Drink 2024 – 2034. September 2018 (Josh Raynolds)

2014 Tempranillo

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
90% Tempranillo, 5% Grenache, 5% Mourvèdre
Fermented in stainless steel and concrete tanks
Aged 20 months in new French oak barrels and puncheons (58% new)
Released Fall 2017 | unfined and unfiltered

Jeb Dunnuck | 98
A total “Wow Wine!”, the 2014 Tempranillo is a huge, smoking good, rich and concentrated red that has loads of smoked earth, cedar, cured meat, blackcurrants, violets and licorice aromas and flavors. This smoky, rich, mineral-laced Tempranillo is a candidate for the top expression of the variety in the United States (I should put this up against Cayuse’s Impulsivo cuvée) and it has Full-bodied richness, beautifully concentrated, notable freshness and a great finish. I followed this bottle for three days, and it never showed a hint of oxidation, and I suspect it’s going to keep for two decades. However, if you have a bottle, drink it! – August 2017 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 93
Saturated ruby. Smoke- and spice-tinged red and blue fruits, woodsmoke and candied flowers on the highly perfumed nose. Coats the palate with appealingly sweet black raspberry, cherry and spicecake flavors that are sharpened by smoky mineral and white pepper notes. Concentrated yet lithe, displaying excellent finishing clarity and fine-grained tannins that add shape and gentle grip. – November 2017 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Advocate | 93
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2014 Tempranillo is scented of red currants, mulberries, dried herbs and dusty earth with hints of tobacco and stewed tea. Full-bodied, with plenty of earth and red fruit layers, it has a firm structure of chewy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and savory. This wine contains splashes of Grenache and Mourvèdre, and only 481 cases were made. September 2017 (Lisa Perotti-Brown)

2013 Tempranillo

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
87% Tempranillo | 10% Grenache | 3% Zinfandel (all non-Tempranillo varieties are from co-fermentation additions)
Fermented in stainless steel, concrete and oak tanks – all destemmed
Aged for 17 months in 41% new French and Hungarian oak barrels and puncheons
Released Fall 2016 | unfined and unfiltered

Wine Advocate | 95
Checking in at the top of the barrel sample, the 2013 Tempranillo (87% Tempranillo, 10% Grenache and 3% Zinfandel) is a structured, tannic, full-bodied and youthful red that has lots of darker berry fruits, crushed flowers, chocolate and savory spice aromas and flavors. I love its purity, but it needs 2-3 years of cellaring. – August 2016 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 92
Vivid purple. Fresh boysenberry, licorice, vanilla and spicecake aromas, joined by suggestions of succulent herbs and lavender in the background. Dark berry and bitter cherry flavors are complemented by deeper notes of chewing tobacco and licorice, and a touch of vanilla repeats on the back half. Closes sweet, supple and very long, displaying lingering spiciness and gently gripping tannins. – September 2016 (Josh Raynolds)

2012 Tempranillo

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
94% Tempranillo | 6% Grenache
Fermented in stinless steel tanks and French oak puncheons
Aged for 18 months in 66% new French oak barrels and puncheons
Anticipated Release Fall 2015 | Unfined and Unfiltered

Wine Advocate | 95
Looking back at a few previous vintages of the Tempranillo, the 2012 Tempranillo, which incorporates 6% Grenache, has an exotic complexity missing from the 2010 and 2014. Flowers, black raspberries, lots of spice and earth all emerge from this full-bodied, pure and youthful beauty that’s still young and primary. – August 2016 (Jeb Dunnuck)

International Wine Report | 93
The 2012 Tempranillo by Epoch is a blend of 94% Tempranillo with the rest Grenache which is sourced from the Paderewski Vineyard. This dense concentrated red wine begins with aromas of roasted prune, coffee grounds and black cherry with suggestions of boysenberry preserves. On the palare there are dense flavors of black cherries, black olive, blackberry pie and Turkish coffee which cascade into the long, layered finish. This is an exotic wine that shows best with a few hours of air contact. (Best 2016-2026) – May 2016 (Owen Bargreen)

Vinous | 92
Glass-staining ruby. Suave, expansive aromas of cherry compote, black raspberry and pipe tobacco are lifted by a peppery element. Sweet and lithe on the palate, offering sappy red fruit and floral pastille flavors sharpened by zesty spice and mineral notes. Closes silky and long, with no rough edges and gentle tannins building stealthily. This elegant wine channels Rioja, not Ribera del Duero. – September 2015 (Josh Raynolds)

2011 Tempranillo

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
92% Tempranillo | 6% Syrah | 2% Grenache
Fermented in concrete tanks and French oak puncheons
Aged for 17 months in 65% new French oak barrels and puncheons
297 Cases Produced | Unfined and Unfiltered

Wine Advocate | 95
The 2011 Tempranillo offers classic black cherry, cassis, licorice, cedar and big minerality in its full-bodied, concentrated and savory style. A blend of 92% Tempranillo, 6% Syrah and 2% Grenache, it shows more ground pepper and chocolaty nuances with air, as well as a serious tannic spice that will benefit from another year in the cellar. I haven’t tasted any aged example of this cuvee, but I’d be shocked to see it not show superbly at age 10. It’s one of the top examples of this variety coming out of California. – August 2014 (Jeb Dunnuck)

International Wine Report | 93
The 2011 Paderewski Vineyard Tempranillo is massive wine, notable for its power and intensity. It immediately offers up bold aromas of ripe black berries and black plums, laced with spices, violets and a savory character. This voluptuous red envelops your palate with layers of full-bodied richness, showing incredible depth and concentration. The underlying acidity balances everything out as it heads into the long, mouth coating finish. Composed of 94% Tempranillo with 6% Grenache which aged for 18 months in 66% new French oak barrels and puncheons. – (Best 2015-2024) – February 2015 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 90
Epoch’s 2011 Tempranillo is a very pretty wine. The Tempranillo stands out from the rest of the range because of its firmer tannin and greater overall structure. Rose petal, violets and dark red stone fruits add lift on the finish. The 2011 is a solid effort, but it is also less exciting than the other wines in the range. A dollop of Grenache (8%) adds complexity. – July 2014 (Antonio Galloni)

Wine Enthusiast | 90 & Cellar Selection 
Densely purple scents of blackberry jam, plum, cola, cherry extract and dried violet syrup overcome the nose on this wine from a property once owned by a famous composer. The flavors are quite jammy, but given complexity by nuances of dark chocolate and espresso beans. Decent acidity and solid tannins will make this last. Drink 2018–2024. – August 2015 (Matt Kettmann)

2010 Tempranillo

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
92% Tempranillo | 8% Grenache
Fermented in concrete and stainless steel tanks, and French oak puncheons
Aged for 20 months in 82% New French Oak
268 cases produced

Rhone Report | 96
Possibly the top Tempranillo coming out of California, the 2010 Epoch Estate Wines Tempranillo Paderewski Vineyard (92% Tempranillo and 8% Grenache that was aged in 82% new French oak) is a serious wine that needs to be tasted to be believed.  Deep and inky purple in color, with a spectacular array of blackberry, plum, liquid mineral, chocolate, and spice-box, it has full bodied serious feel on the palate, with superb mid-palate depth, integrated acidity, and ripe, yet chewy and savory tannin that frame the finish beautifully.  Given the fruit and texture, it is no doubt a superb drink now, yet it really deserves 2-3 years of bottle age, and has a solid 10-15 years drink window.  Impressive all around and worth the effort to seek out!  – (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 96 & Jeb’s Best of 2013
Possibly the top Tempranillo coming out of California, the 2010 Tempranillo (92% Tempranillo and 8% Grenache that was aged in 82% new French oak) is a serious wine that needs to be tasted to be believed.  Deep and inky purple in color, with a spectacular array of blackberry, plum, liquid mineral, chocolate and spice box, it has a full-bodied, serious feel on the palate, with superb mid-palate depth, integrated acidity and ripe, yet chewy and savory tannin that frame the finish beautifully.  Given the fruit and texture, it is no doubt a superb drink now, yet it really deserves 2-3 years of bottle age and has a solid 10-15 year drink window. Impressive all around and worth the effort to seek out! Drink 2015-2025.  – August 2013 (Jeb Dunnuck)

International Wine Report | 94
The 2010 Epoch Tempranillo is a monster of a wine; powerful, dense and concentrated with intense aromas and flavors of dark fruits and crème de cassis layered in chocolate, spices, pepper, espresso and hints of licorice.  This demonstrates excellent structure and balance, ending in a long mouth coating finish laced with dark fruits and spices that carry on and on.  This is drinking fantastic right now, but also shows the potential to age; best 2014-2030  – December 2013 (Joe D’Angelo)

Vinous | 92
Epoch’s 2010 Tempranillo is fascinating. An exotic mélange of orange peel, smoke, pomegranate and iron flow across the palate in a powerful and distinctive wine loaded with personality.  It will be interesting to see if the 2010 develops further nuances in bottle.  Today, it is a decidedly powerful interpretation. – July 2013 (Antonio Galloni)

2009 Tempranillo

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
100% Tempranillo
Aged for 23 months in 75% new French oak barrels and puncheons
447 cases produced

Jeb Dunnuck | 95 
A real Wow wine, the 2009 Epoch Estate Wines Tempranillo Paderewski Vineyard, 100% Tempranillo that was aged for 23 months in 75% new French oak, sports knockout aromatics of black cherry and blackberry fruit, graphite, cedar, dried earth, and thrilling levels of spice and meaty characteristics on the nose. This full-bodied, perfectly put together wine has a firm, focused texture, awesome tannin structure, good acidity, and a very long, focused finish. Gorgeous stuff and while the lack of a track record has me backing off the upper end of the drink window, I don’t see any reason this won’t age for 12-15 years or more. -December 2011 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Rhone Report | 95
A real Wow wine, the 2009 Epoch Estate Wines Tempranillo Paderewski Vineyard, 100% Tempranillo that was aged for 23 months in 75% new French oak, sports knockout aromatics of black cherry and blackberry fruit, graphite, cedar, dried earth, and thrilling levels of spice and meaty characteristics on the nose.  This full-bodied, perfectly put together wine has a firm, focused texture, awesome tannin structure, good acidity, and a very long, focused finish. Gorgeous stuff and while the lack of a track record has me backing off the upper end of the drink window, I don’t see any reason this won’t age for 12-15 years or more.  – (Jeb Dunnuck)

International Wine Report | 94 & #13 Wine of the Year for 2012
Epoch has quickly developed a reputation for small production, hand crafted, wines with abundant personalities.  The 2009 Tempranillo from the Paderewski Vineyard is made in a modern style, aged for 23 months in 75% new French oak barrels and puncheonsis.  It has an opaque deep purple color and offers aromas of blackberry, smoke, violets, chocolate, spices, toast and well-integrated toasted oak all backed by a beautiful freshness.  Full-bodied, dense and concentrated with layers of flavors that are constantly evolving.  This wine will be even better in about 4-6 years from now, and has the potential to last for two decades. I t’s very exciting to see a Tempranillo of this quality coming out of Paso Robles and really hope to see lots more very soon. (Best 2015-2025) – November 2012 – (Joe D’Anagelo)

Vinous | 93
The 2009 Tempranillo emerges from the glass with sweet red cherries, flowers and spices, all supported by impeccable, silky tannins. This shows plenty of varietal character, but with the added of volume and breadth of Paderewski, a warm vineyard site. The Tempranillo was fermented in 500 liter barrels and also includes 5% Mourvèdre. – August 2011 (Antonio Galloni)

2008 Tempranillo

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
100% Tempranillo
Aged 22 months in French oak barrels (once-filled)
322 cases produced

Jeb Dunnuck | 93 
Much more ripe and open than the ’09, the 2008 Epoch Estate Wines Tempranillo Paderewski Vineyard is loaded with ripe cherry and blackberry liqueur characteristics that are balanced by spice, crushed flowers, white chocolate, and saddle leather aromas and flavors. Full-bodied and gorgeously textured, with ripe fruit, a voluptuous profile, and solid length, this is drinking well, yet holds up over multiple days and should continue to shine for another 5-8 years or more. -December 2011 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Rhone Report | 93
Much more ripe and open than the ‟09, the 2008 Epoch Estate Wines Tempranillo Paderewski Vineyard is loaded with ripe cherry and blackberry liqueur characteristics that are balanced by spice, crushed flowers, white chocolate, and saddle leather aromas and flavors.  Full-bodied and gorgeously textured, with ripe fruit, a voluptuous profile, and solid length, this is drinking well, yet holds up over multiple days and should continue to shine for another 5-8 years or more.  – (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 93
The 2008 Tempranillo emerges from the glass with sweet red cherries, flowers and spices, all supported by impeccable, silky tannins.  This shows plenty of varietal character, but with the added of volume and breadth of Paderewski, a warm vineyard site.  The Tempranillo was fermented in 500 liter barrels.  Anticipated maturity: 2011-2016.  – (Antonio Galloni)

Wine Spectator | 91
Undeniably smoky and woody, this nonetheless delivers a firm, rich, intense, focused beam of dark berries and tobacco that weaves in melted red and black licorice, giving this a distinctive, potent flavor profile.  Drink now through 2021.  322 cases made.  – (James Laube)

Vinous | 90
Bright ruby. An intensely perfumed bouquet displays scents of candied cherry, black raspberry, rose oil and pungent herbs.  Sweet, expansive and deep in red and dark berry flavors, with a lively mineral quality adding lift.  Very suave, with silky tannins lending shape to a long, red fruit-driven finish.  This is a very successful version of the variety, which is a rarity outside Spain.  – (Josh Raynolds)

2007 Tempranillo

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
46% Grenache | 43% Syrah | 9% Petite Sirah | 1% Mourvèdre | 1% Zinfandel
Aged 14 months in barrel with 75% new French oak
327 cases produced

Rhone Report | 94
The most structured and tannic of the releases, the 2007 Ingenuity is an interesting blend of 46% Grenache, 43% Syrah and 9% Petit Sirah with a dash of Mourvédre and Zinfandel thrown in for good measure.  On the nose, this has an almost funky earth slant and I thought there was more Mourvédre than there actually was.  Spiced meat, underbrush, leather and a little game notes are framed beautifully by serious dark fruit and licorice aromas.  The palate is even better and is full bodied, perfectly balanced and stacked with a mouth coating, rich texture.  The structure here is notable but the tannins are perfectly ripe and silky, making this enjoyable now. This is another winner to drink over coming decade or longer.  – (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Spectator | 94
Ripe, fresh and juicy, with supple blackberry, wild berry and black cherry fruit that’s spicy, balanced, complex and layered, ending with firm, integrated tannins. Grenache, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Mourvèdre and Zinfandel.  Drink now through 2017.  327 cases made.  – (James Laube)

Wine Advocate | 93
The 2007 Ingenuity (another intriguing blend of 46% Grenache, 43% Syrah, and the rest Petite Sirah, Mourvédre, and Tempranillo) has a dense ruby purple color and a slightly more reserved, restrained style when compared to the exuberant Veracity.  Much more delineation and minerality are present in this wine, which exhibits plenty of red and black fruit as well as note of graphite, crushed rock, and spring flowers.  The sweetness of the tannin and the seamless, silky integration of all the component parts are impressive, and the wine is capable of drinking well for another 5-8 years.  – (Robert Parker)


Veracity

2021 Veracity

Jeb Dunnuck | 94 – 97
The 2021 Veracity checks in as 44% Mourvèdre, 36% Grenache, and 20% Syrah that comes mostly from the Paderewski Vineyard yet includes small amounts from York Mountain and the estate Catapult Vineyard. Spicy, complex, medium to full-bodied, and balanced, with lots of blue fruits as well as peppery herbs, it’s another perfumed, elegant, incredibly impressive wine from this team that I suspect will drink nicely right out of the gate. – September 2022 (Jeb Dunnuck)

2019 Veracity

Paderewski, Catapult, and York Mountain Vineyards, Paso Robles 
44% Mourvèdre | 43% Grenache | 13% Syrah

Jeb Dunnuck | 96
The 2019 Veracity shows nicely, with ample red, blue, and black fruits as well as ground pepper, candied orange, and violet aromas. Full-bodied, rich, and concentrated on the palate, this blend of 44% Mourvèdre, 43% Grenache, and the rest Syrah has lots of classic Paso Robles chalky minerality, ripe tannins, and one heck of a great finish. Epoch is another top estate in Paso Robles that has seen incredible growth and change over the past decade. Now in a new facility on York Mountain, winemaker Jordan Fiorentini continues to experiment with new blends as well as different fermentation vessels, also using a touch more whole cluster at times. These are rich, textured, classic Paso Robles reds. -September 2021 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 95
The 2019 Veracity is a blend of 44% Mourvèdre, 43% Grenache and 13% Syrah that aged 17 months in 37% new French oak. It has a notably pure, elegant expression this vintage. Winemaker Jordan Fiorentini notes that this cuvée is usually aged in a portion of concrete, “but this vintage was too light and fresh, so it didn’t need concrete.” It offers very pretty aromas of blueberries and blackberries accented by notes of violet, aniseed and blood orange. The palate is silky and bright with an array of floral fruits and a very long, very spicy finish. 1,240 cases were made, and this will be released in the spring of 2022. -November 2021 (Erin Brooks)

2018 Veracity

Paderewski, Catapult, and York Mountain Vineyards, Paso Robles 
48% Mourvèdre | 39% Grenache | 13% Syrah

Jeb Dunnuck | 93 – 95
Moving to the 2018s, the 2018 Veracity offers a medium to full-bodied, silky profile as well as complex red and blue fruits, violets, and peppery notes. It shows the fresher, elegant style of the vintage yet certainly doesn’t lack fruit. – October 2019 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Jeb Dunnuck | 97+
Another gem is the 2018 Veracity, which boasts a medium to full-bodied, focused, elegant style that’s the hallmark of this estate to go with plenty of intensity and opulence in its jammy blackberry fruits and notes of ground pepper, violets, and spicy nuances. It has firm yet ripe tannins, and everything is nicely balanced. It can certainly be enjoyed today, but it will be even better in 2-3 years and evolve for a decade. -September 2020 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 94
A blend of 54% Mourvèdre, 35% Grenache and 11% Syrah aged 18 months in 28% new French oak barrels and puncheons, the 2018 Veracity has a medium to deep ruby-purple color and gregarious bursts of mint and coffee supported by black and red berry fruits laced with aniseed and spices. The palate is medium to full-bodied, firm and grainy with fantastic juicy character and a long, spicy finish. 1,273 cases produced. -October 2020 (Erin Brooks)

Wine Enthusiast | 95
Roasted black-cherry and black-plum aromas are laced with mocha and charred meat on the nose of this blend of 48% Mourvèdre, 39% Grenache and 13% Syrah. The palate packs both power and elegance, as the rich, viscous flavors of charred berry, violet and meat are contained by chalky tannins and a backbone of acidity. – April 2022 (Matt Kettmann)

Vinous | 95
Deep, bright-rimmed violet. Potent, spice-accented red and blue fruit preserve, floral and baking spice scents and a hint of vanilla. Juicy, energetic and sharply focused on the palate, offering appealingly sweet boysenberry and cherry cola flavors and a spicy jolt of cracked pepper. The floral note comes back strong on a persistent finish that features a resonating blue fruit note and smooth, even tannins. 81% raised in French oak barrels of varying size, 28% of them new, and 19% in concrete tulips. – July 2022 (Josh Raynolds)

2017 Veracity

90% Paderewski and 10% Catapult Vineyards
47% Mourvèdre | 34% Grenache | 19% Syrah
Fermented in concrete and stainless steel tanks
Aged 18 months: 36% in concrete tulip and the balance in French oak mid-sized
Released Spring 2020
870 Cases Produced

Jeb Dunnuck | 96 
Based on 47% Mourvèdre, 34% Grenache, and 19% Syrah, the 2017 Veracity is beautifully done, revealing a core of blue fruits, plenty of peppery herbs, violets, spice, and floral notes, medium to full body, and a great finish. It’s one of those wines that grows on you with time in the glass, and I suspect it will be even better with another 2-3 years of bottle age (although it’s terrific today). -September 2020 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 96
Deep violet. Intensely perfumed aromas of dark berry preserves, cherry liqueur, licorice and exotic spices are complemented by a suave floral overtone. Sappy cherry-vanilla, cassis and blueberry flavors stain the palate and become spicier with air. Finishes smooth and exceptionally long and precise, with resonating spiciness and polished tannins that add gentle final grip. -Decmber 2020 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Advocate | 94
The 2017 Veracity is a blend of 47% Mourvèdre, 34% Grenache and 19% Syrah aged 18 months in 26% new French oak. It has a medium to deep ruby-purple color and is youthfully reluctant on the nose. With time, it reveals aromas of blackcurrant, milk chocolate, fresh blueberries, redcurrants, blood orange and desiccated roses with notes of pink peppercorn and salumi. The palate is medium to full-bodied, silky and gaining in amplitude, opening to red, blue and black fruits with oodles of floral perfume. It has a firm, grainy frame and mind-bending juiciness to lift the long, layered finish. Give this at least another 2-3 years in bottle. 870 cases produced.         -February 2020 (Erin Brooks)

2016 Veracity

Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards, Paso Robles
51% Mourvèdre, 36% Grenache, 13% Syrah
Fermented in concrete, oak and stainless steel
Aged 17 months: 28% in concrete tulip and the balance in French oak barrels and puncheons (32% new)

Jeb Dunnuck | 98
The Mourvèdre-dominated 2016 Veracity (51% Mourvèdre, 36% Grenache, and 13% Syrah) reveals a darker ruby color as well as a sensational bouquet of blackcurrants, smoked meats, ground herbs, chocolate, and earth. With full-bodied richness, no hard edges, wonderful purity of fruit, and a great finish, it’s a heavenly expression of Mourvèdre to drink over the coming decade or more. 2019 – 2029; October 2019, (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 98
Lurid ruby. Assertive, smoke- and mineral-accented black and blue fruit preserve, exotic spice, cola, licorice and incense aromas pick up a suave floral quality as the wine opens up. Alluringly sweet and seamless in texture, offering deeply concentrated blueberry, cherry preserve, dark chocolate and violet pastille flavors that turn livelier and spicier on the back half. Deftly plays richness and power off of delicacy and finishes with remarkable clarity and just a hint of silky, integrated tannins. Drinking this wine is like watching Rosey Grier doing his needlepoint; those of a certain age will understand. (13% whole clusters; aged in a combination of 72% French oak barrels and puncheons, 32% of them new, and the rest in concrete vats); February, 2020 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Enthusiast | 95
Intensely focused fruit aromas of crushed and candied blackberry are woven into waves of spice cake, gingerbread and more exotic spices on the nose of this blend of 51% Mourvèdre, 36% Grenache and 13% Syrah. Perfectly polished tannins retain enough tension to stand up to the ripe blackberry, cola-nut and gingersnap flavors. -January 2020 (Matt Kettmann)
Wine Advocate | 93
The 2016 Veracity is a blend of 51% Mourvèdre, 36% Grenache and 13% Syrah. It was made with 31% whole cluster and aged 17 months in 32% new French oak barrels and puncheons. It has a medium to deep ruby-purple color and gives up scents of olives, cured meats, underbrush and potpourri with a core of warm blackberries, red cherries, raspberries, powdered sugar and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, it features well-tempered ripe fruits with a firm frame and great freshness, finishing long and perfumed. Give this another 2-3 years in bottle. 851 cases produced. -February 2020 (Erin Brooks)

Wine Spectator | 93
Bold aromas of dried cherry, cured meat and licorice open to dense and deep flavors that build tension and drama toward firm tannins. Mourvèdre, Grenache and Syrah. Best from 2021 through 2029. 851 cases made. -March 2020 (Tim Fish)

2015 Veracity

Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards, Paso Robles
47% Grenache | 34% Mourvèdre | 19% Syrah
Fermented in concrete, stainless steel, and oak tanks and ½-ton French oak puncheons
Aged 18 months: 28% concrete tulip and the balance in French oak barrels and puncheons (24% new)
Releasing Spring 2018 | unfined and unfiltered

Wine Advocate | 97+
Composed of 47% Grenache, 34% Mourvèdre and 19% Syrah, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Veracity Proprietary Red leaps from the glass with beautiful violet, rose petal and mandarin peel notes over a core of crushed red currants and blackberries, plus hints of baking spices and forest floor. Full-bodied, the palate is packed with perfumed black and red fruits supported by firm, velvety tannins and great freshness, finishing long and multilayered. Simply gorgeous. 866 cases were made. Drink 2017 – 2032 – Lisa Perrotti-Brown (September 2017)

Jeb Dunnuck | 97
The GSM of the estate, the 2015 Veracity checks in as 47% Grenache, 34% Mourvèdre, and 19% Syrah that was brought up in a mix of concrete tanks, neutral barrels, and 24% new barrels. Deep ruby/purple-colored, with a kaleidoscope of blackberries, leafy herbs, pepper, underbrush, and spice aromas and flavors, this beauty hits the palate with awesome purity of fruit, building richness, and ultra-fine tannins. It’s a tour de force in Rhône blends from California that I wish every reader could taste. Drink after 2018 – Jeb Dunnuck (August 2017)

Vinous | 96
(17% whole clusters; raised in a combination of concrete tank and new and used French oak barrels of varying size) Deep lurid ruby. Intense red and blue fruit preserve and floral aromas, along with hints of cola, vanilla and exotic spices. Sweet and expansive on the palate, offering intense boysenberry and raspberry flavors underscored by a vein of juicy acidity. Rich and broad but lively as well, showing excellent clarity and a bitter chocolate nuance on the strikingly long, youthfully tannic finish. Drink 2025 – 2035 – Josh Raynolds (September 2018)

Wine Enthusiast | 94
This blend of 47% Grenache, 34% Mourvèdre and 19% Syrah shows alpine strawberries, lilac and an intriguing sesame-seed savory kick to the elegantly layered nose. It hits the palate suavely, delivering a pecan nuttiness that evolves into rounded strawberry, plum and rosewater flavors, all well balanced by grippy tannins. – April 2019 (Matt Kettmann)

2014 Veracity

Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards, Paso Robles
66% Grenache | 18% Mourvèdre | 16% Syrah
Fermented in concrete tanks and 1⁄2-ton French oak puncheons
Aged ~ 18 months: 8% concrete egg, 24% new French oak and 68% neutral oak
Released Spring 2017 | unfined and unfiltered

Jeb Dunnuck | 95
The GSM blend of the estate the checks in as 66% Grenache, 18% Mourvèdre and 16% Syrah (more Grenache than normal), the 2014 Veracity offers a classic Paso nose of sexy, ripe black fruits, melted licorice, charcoal and roasted meats. Deep, rich and concentrated, it cuts a tight, focused path on the palate, with plenty of tannin, terrific freshness and a great finish. Like all these 2014s, it has terrific purity. – August 2017 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 94
Opaque ruby. Heady, mineral-accented black raspberry and boysenberry aromas are complicated by an exotic floral nuance and suggestions of five-spice powder and mocha. Fleshy and seamless on the palate, offering intensely sweet red and blue fruit and rose pastille flavors that show excellent concentration and a bracing snap of white pepper. Finishes sappy and sweet, displaying harmonious tannins and a lingering suggestion of candied flowers. – November 2017 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Advocate | 94
A blend of 66% Grenache, 18% Mourvèdre and 16% Syrah, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2014 Veracity Proprietary Red has a gorgeous baked raspberry and kirsch nose with hints of Indian spices and smoky bacon plus a waft of garrigue. Full-bodied, with a firm frame of grainy tannins and lively acid reining in the gregarious fruit, it finishes with lingering earthy accents. 875 cases were made. – September 2017 (Lisa Perotti-Brown)

Wine Enthusiast | 92
The dense yet fresh aromas of black currant, violet and lilac make for a beautiful aromatic core to this blend of 66% Grenache, 18% Mourvèdre and 16% Syrah, which is lifted by anise. The palate is also thick with dark fruits yet cut by tarragon and wild mint, riding a fairly sticky, heavy frame that still needs time to develop. – May 2018 (Matt Kettmann)

Wine Spectator | 90
Big and zesty, with full-throttle black raspberry, licorice, mineral and black pepper accents that take on power toward the taut tannins. Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. Best after 2018. 875 cases made. – April 2018 (Tim Fish)

2013 Veracity

Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards, Paso Robles
49% Grenache | 34% Mourvèdre | 17% Syrah
Fermented ~27% whole cluster in concrete and stainless steel tanks, one-ton bins and 1/2 ton French oak puncheons
Aged for 17 months in 32% new French oak mid-sized barrels and puncheons
Released Fall 2015 | unfined and unfiltered

Wine Advocate | 95
Another sensational red is the 2013 Veracity Proprietary Red, which is mostly Grenache blended with 34% Mourvedre and 17% Syrah. Aged in 32% new barrels, its ruby color is followed by classic notes of black raspberries, toasted spice, dried flowers and hints of pepper. Full-bodied, supple and polished, with no hard edges and a seamless texture, it will stand up to a great Chateauneuf du Pape and drink well through 2025. – August 2016 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 92
Brilliant violet. Smoke- and Indian-spice-accented black and blue fruits and violet on the powerfully scented nose. Sappy and tightly focused on entry and then fleshier and more open in the midpalate, offering lively blueberry and bitter cherry flavors and an exotic suggestion of candied flowers. In a smooth, seductive style, delivering excellent closing thrust; harmonious tannins add shape. – September 2016 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Enthusiast | 91 & Cellar Selection
There are two levels of aroma to this blend of 49% Grenache, 34% Mourvèdre and 17% Syrah: a bright floral touch and gravel-like minerality surround a deeper core of black currant and blueberry fruit. The palate is still quite tight, with elderberry, olallieberry and violet flavors, presented with a leathery texture. It shows lots of potential but still needs time. Drink 2018–2023. -May 2017 (Matt Kettmann)

Wine Spectator | 90
Compact and powerful, with aromas of berry cobbler, burnt toast and licorice, featuring tightly wound flavors of blackberry, cracked pepper and mineral. The tannins are ripe but grip the finish. Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. Best from 2018 through 2026. – February 2016 (Tim Fish)

2012 Veracity

Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards, Paso Robles
55% Grenache | 27% Mourvèdre | 18% Syrah
Fermened in concrete and stainless steel tanks, one-ton bins, and 1/2 ton puncheons
Aged for 17 months in concrete egg and 30% new French oak barrels and puncheons
920 Cases Produced | unfined and unfiltered

Wine Advocate | 94
A blend of 55% Grenache, 27% Mourvedre and 18% Syrah, the 2012 Veracity is a sweetly fruited, sexy and seamless red that has plenty of black raspberry, raspberry, licorice, crushed rock and toasted spice on the nose. As with all of Jordan’s 2012s, it’s made in a full-bodied, lightly textured and savory style, with plenty of chewy tannin (which is common in her 2012s) on the finish. It will improve with another year in bottle and have over a decade of longevity. –  August 2014 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Enthusiast | 94 & Editors’ Choice
Jordan Fiorentini continues to knock socks off with powerful wines, even when led by Grenache, which comprises 55% of this blend along with 27% Mourvèdre and 18% Syrah. Dark raspberries, smashed strawberries, concentrated rose petals, soy and beef jerky lead into energetic flavors of olallieberry, black-slate minerality and blueberry-skin tannins. – October 2015 (Matt Kettman)

Vinous | 92
The Grenache-based 2012 Veracity is dense, rich and powerful. Dark red stone fruits, crushed flowers, smoke and tobacco are some of the notes that open up in the glass, followed by kirsch and exotic spice overtones that add both complexity and nuance. Veracity is 55% Grenache, 27% Mourvèdre and 18% Syrah. – July 2014 (Antonio Galloni)

Wine Spectator | 91
Combines power and tannis with a dense core of raspberry, blackberry and wild berry notes, showing hints of gravvely earth and black licorice woven among the waves of flavor. Needs time. Best from 2016 – 2028. – December 2014 (James Laube)

International Wine Report | 91
The 2012 Veracity is a blend of 55% Grenache, 27% Mourvèdre, 8% Syrah from both the Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards. As this begins to open is the glass it delivers aromas of ripe blackberries and raspberries followed by fresh lavender, violets, spices and earthy minerals. This full-bodied red possesses a gorgeous velvety texture that shows notable depth with everything coming together seamlessly on the long finish. Although this is quite appealing today, readers may want to consider allowing this some additional bottle age to continue to develop. (Best 2016-2026) – February, 2015 (Joe D’Angelo)

2011 Veracity

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
57% Grenache | 25% Mourvèdre | 18% Syrah
Fermeted predominantly in concreet along with one-ton tbins and stainless steel
Aged 16 months in 25% new French oak
651 cases produced | unfined and unfiltered

Wine Enthusiast | 95 & Editors’ Choice
Remarkably inky in color for a Grenache-based blend, it features strong aromas of cedar, meat and deeply purple fruit.  The soft, rich mouthfeel coats the palate like a luxurious lacquer, and features flavors of blackberry jam, macerated cherry and vanilla-spiced plums.  The blend of florals, herbals, fruit and oak-driven tannis is masterful.  Drink now by itself or with a peppercorn-crusted filet mignon. – September 2014 (Matt Kettmann)

Wine Advocate | 93
Savory and meaty, with plenty of black cherry, raspberry, underbrush and spice, the 2011 Veracity has a great palate that carries pure, vibrant fruit, ripe tannin and an overall elegant, focused feel.  Give it another 2-3 years in the cellar and enjoy through 2021. Drink 2015-2021.  –  August 2013 (Jeb Dunnuck)

International Wine Report | 92+
The 2011 Veracity is fantastic with aromas of crushed blackberry and tart raspberry followed by fresh lavender, violets, white pepper and crushed stones.  This shows excellent concentration and the fruit explodes onto the rich palate. It is kept well balanced and even seems light on its feet from thanks to the mouthwatering acidity.  This constantly evolves in the glass, picking up momentum and depth as it heads into the long juicy finish. A wonderful effort form Jordan Fiorentini with the blend of 57% Grenache, 25% Mourvedre and 18% Syrah from the Paderewski Vineyard.  This is already almost impossible to resist, but give it another couple of years in bottle for it to be at its best. Best 2015-2026. – January 2014 (Joe D’Angelo)

Vinous | 92
Brilliant ruby.  Powerful aromas of candied black raspberry, blueberry and licorice, with hints of violet and cracked pepper adding complexity.  Lush, intensely flavored and silky in texture, offering spicy dark berry and cherry compote flavors enlivened by a suave floral nuance.  Showing the dark side of Grenache.  Finishes sappy and very long, with resonating spiciness, a hint of licorice and velvety, harmonious tannins. – November 2013 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Spectator | 91
Richly flavored, firm, dense, complex and focused, this offers a mix of crushed rock, dark berry, black licorice, spice and floral notes that stay persistent through the finish.  Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah.  Drink now through 2023. – January 31, 2014 (James Laube)

2010 Veracity

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
69% Grenache | 23% Mourvèdre | 4% Syrah | 4% Counoise
Aged for 18 months in 41% new French oak barrels and puncheons
589 cases produced | unfined and unfiltered

Jeb Dunnuck | 95
The estate’s take on a southern Rhône blend and a mix of 69% Grenache, 23% Mourvedre, 4% Syrah, and 4% Counoise, the 2010 Veracity is a beauty. Fermented in a combination of concrete and stainless steel, and aged for 18 months in 41% new French oak barrels and Puncheons, it offers up a full-bodied, rich, yet structured profile with sweet black and red fruits, chalk, lavender, and subtle Herbs de Provence like aromas and flavors. Beautifully put together, with solid mid-palate depth and a chewy, broad finish that highlights ripe tannin, it will shine for 7-8 years, possibly longer. It needs a decant if drinking anytime soon. -August 2012 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Rhone Report | 95
The estate’s take on a southern Rhone blend and a mix of 69% Grenache 23% Mourvedre, 4% Syrah, and 4% Counoise, the 2010 Veracity is a beauty.  Fermented in a combination of concrete and stainless steel, and aged for 18 months in 41% new French oak barrels and Puncheons, it offers up a full-bodied, rich, yet structured profile with sweet black and red fruits, chalk, lavender, and subtle Herbs de Provence like aromas and flavors.  Beautifully put together, with solid mid-palate depth and a chewy, broad finish  that highlights ripe tannin, it will shine for 7-8 years, possibly longer.  It needs a decant if drinking anytime soon.  – (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 94
The estate’s take on a southern Rhone blend, and a mix of 69% Grenache, 23% Mourvedre, 4% Syrah and 4% Counoise, the 2010 Veracity is a beauty.  Fermented in a combination of concrete and stainless steel, and aged for 18 months in 41% new French oak barrels and puncheons, it offers up a full-bodied, rich, yet structured profile, with sweet black and red fruits, chalk, lavender and subtle herbes de Provence-like aromas and flavors.  Beautifully put together, with solid mid-palate depth and a chewy, broad finish that highlights ripe tannin, it will shine for 5-7 years, possibly longer. It needs decanting if drinking anytime soon.  Drink 2014-2020. – (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Spectator | 94
Presents a complex, graceful mix of blackberry, black licorice and boysenberry pie scents, yet for all its apparent ripeness this remains elegant and ends with a more subtle, nuanced finish, right down to the crushed rock earthiness.  Drink now through 2022. –  (James Laube)

Vinous | 92
Dark violet color.  Complex, inviting aromas of black raspberry, lavender, licorice, and smoky oak.  Dense sweet and seamless, with noteworthy intensity and precision to the flavors of red and dark berries, cracked pepper, and Indian spices.  Finishes vibrant and very long, with silky tannins and excellent lift.  – November  2012 (Josh Raynolds)

2009 Veracity

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
36% Grenache | 32% Syrah | 32% Mourvèdre
Aged for 20 months in 38% new French oak
374 cases produced | unfined and unfiltered

Jeb Dunnuck | 94
Showing similar to how it did out of barrel a year ago, the 2009 Veracity, 36% Grenache, 32% Mourvedre, and 32% Syrah that’s aged 20 months in French oak barrels and puncheons (38% new), maintains its overall classy profile with brilliantly pure aromas of crème de cassis, blackberry, spice, graphite, and chalky, mineral nuances that really shine with air. This full-bodied, impeccably put together red is perfectly balanced, possesses a seamless, polished texture, good acidity, and a classically styled finish. I love the purity here, as well as the polish and texture to the tannin. Certainly superb now, this will be even better with another year or two in bottle, and should evolve gracefully for upwards of a decade. -December 2011 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Rhone Report | 94
Showing similar to how it did out of barrel a year ago, the 2009 Veracity, 36% Grenache, 32% Mourvèdre, and 32% Syrah that’s aged 20 months in French oak barrels and puncheons (38% new), maintains its overall classy profile with brilliantly pure aromas of crème de cassis, blackberry, spice, graphite, and chalky, mineral nuances that really shine with air.  This full-bodied, impeccably put together red is perfectly balanced, possesses a seamless, polished texture, good acidity, and a classically styled finish.  I love the purity here, as well as the polish and texture to the tannin.  Certainly superb now, this will be even better with another year or two in bottle, and should evolve gracefully for upwards of a decade.  – (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 93
Bright purple.  Intensely perfumed aromas of blackberry, blueberry, anise and violet, with a touch of cinnamon in the background.  Juicy, palate-staining red and dark berry flavors show excellent clarity and depth, with a suave floral pastille quality on the back half.  The red fruit element carries through on the smooth, very long finish.  – October/November 2011 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Spectator | 93
A fresh, vibrant red, featuring rich boysenberry, mineral and cedar notes with hints of red and black licorice.  Well-proportioned and sleek, ending with a complex burst of ripe dark fruit. Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah.  Drink now through 2022.  – (James Laube)

Wine Advocate | 92
The 2009 Veracity is 36% Grenache, 32% Mourvèdre and 32% Syrah.  A sweet, floral bouquet melds into an expressive core of fruit in this gorgeous wine.  At once expansive yet restrained, the Veracity shows striking purity and tons of class.  Rose petals and sweet spices linger on the attractive finish.  Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019.  – (Antonio Galloni)

2007 Veracity

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
48% Grenache | 39% Mourvèdre | 13% Syrah
Aged 14 months in 65% new French oak barrels
181 cases produced | unfined and unfiltered

Wine Advocate | 94
The 2007 Veracity, a blend of 48% Grenache, 39% Mourvedre, and the rest Syrah, is a sexy style of wine with a beautiful nose of kirsch, black currant, lavender, and sweet earth.  A healthy dark ruby color, the wine is succulent, fleshy, full-bodied, and totally charming.  It is impossible to resist, yet it should drink well for another 5-6 years.  – (Robert Parker)

Rhone Report | 93
A blend of 48% Grenache, 39% Mourvédre and 13% Syrah, the 2007 Veracity was reticent on the nose but opened up nicely with air to show pure, fresh aromatics.  Beautiful blackberry jam notes are mixed with spiced meat, underbrush and a hint of sweet oak on the nose and these carries over onto the palate where the wine is medium to full bodied, textured, balanced and silky.  This showed more structure on the second day and is a knockout wine to drink over the next 10 years.  – (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Spectator | 92
Shows off ripe, juicy huckleberry and boysenberry fruit that’s pure, complex and balanced, gaining depth and nuance.  Firms on the finish, which is long and persistent. Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah. Drink now through 2016.  – (James Laube)

Vinous | 90
Opaque purple.  Black cherry, plum, menthol and spicy oak on the pungent nose. Supple and smooth on entry, then spicy and energetic in the middle, with brighter red berry character and a strong note of white pepper. The spicy note strongly informs the persistent, sappy finish, which leaves sweet red fruit notes behind. The grenache is really showing itself now.  – November/December 2009 (Josh Raynolds)


White

2021 White

Jeb Dunnuck | 93+ 
Leading off with the white, which is based on 47% Grenache Blanc, 39% Viognier, and 14% Roussanne, the 2021 Estate White is terrific and offers a juicy, crisp, mineral-laced style in its citrus and pear fruits as well as medium-bodied richness on the palate. The balance is spot on, it has integrated acidity, and a great finish. – September 2022 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 96 
The 2021 Epoch White is a blend of 47% Grenache Blanc, 39% Viognier and 14% Roussanne matured in 10% new French oak. It offers soaring perfume of quince, hazelnut, beeswax and flint with fine spicy tones. The medium-bodied palate is bright and juicy with an alluring, satiny texture and a tremendously long finish. Generous yet balanced, it’s an ideal candidate for developing savory complexity in bottle over the next few years. 844 cases were made. – December 30, 2022 (Erin Brooks)

2020 White

Jeb Dunnuck | 92 
Bright citrus, lemon, dried herbs, and honeyed minerality all emerge from the 2020 Estate White, a lively, fresh, mineral-laced white that’s going to be incredibly versatile on the dinner table with its bright, crisp style. The blend is 49% Grenache Blanc, 43% Viognier, and 8% Roussanne. – September 2021 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 92 
The 2020 Epoch White is a blend of 49% Grenache Blanc, 43% Viognier and 8% Roussanne. It has gregarious aromas of musk, lychee and white peaches alongside tones of baker’s yeast, white pepper and herbal, spicy accents that are reminiscent of Grüner Veltliner. The palate is gently rounded, super fresh and very spicy, finishing long and textural. 505 cases were made. – November 2021 (Erin Brooks)

Vinous | 92
Pale yellow. Fresh pit fruits, melon, pear and a hint of honey on the deeply perfumed nose. In a bright, energetic style, showing solid thrust to the sappy orchard and pit fruits, which put on weight as the wine opens up. A spicy ginger flourish adds cut to a long, focused finish that features suggestions of orange pith and bitter peach pit. Raised in a combination of concrete vats and French oak foudres, puncheons and barriques. 10% of the oak was new. – July 2022 (Josh Raynolds)

Decanter | 94 
Zesty fresh meadow flower nose. The palate is so pretty – absolutely packed full of different white fruit flavours, as well as white florals, acacia honey and camomile, but the intensity does not hit you at first. The initial impression is light, summery and feathery and then suddenly there’s a cornucopia of flavours as the wine really takes flight. Lemon, verbena, flint and pear emerge; at once savoury, ripe, fresh and immensely appealing, taking a while to fade. A truly delicious white wine in a gorgeously shaped tapered bottle. – August 2021 (Clare Tooley)

2020 White EXT

Wine Advocate | 93+ 
The 2020 White EXT is a blend of 49% Grenache Blanc, 43% Viognier and 8% Roussanne. It aged four months sur lie in concrete, fourdre and French oak. It’s the same blend as the 2020 White, just with an additional five months of aging in foudre. It has scents of spicy white peaches, with tones of beeswax, hazelnuts and graphite, and it drinks like a fresh Bordeaux Blanc, with intense fruits and a rounded texture, finishing uplifted and perfumed. It’s an exciting candidate for another 5-8 years in the cellar. 320 cases were made, and this will be released in early 2022. – November 2021 (Erin Brooks)

Jeb Dunnuck | 91 – 93 
The same blend as the Estate White, only aged slightly longer in foudre, the 2020 Estate White Ext is slightly richer and more honeyed, with beautiful nectarine fruit and notes of white flowers and chalky minerality. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it’s pure, balanced, and elegant, with lots of character. It should shine on the dinner table and keep for a couple of years. – September 2021 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 93 
Limpid yellow. Spice-tinged orchard and pit fruits and a hint of succulent flowers on the perfumed nose. Well-concentrated yet lively, offering juicy Meyer lemon, white peach and pear flavors that show fine definition and minerally cut. The floral note repeats on the persistent finish, which leaves a spicy nuance behind. – July 2022 (Josh Raynolds)

2019 White

Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
47% Grenache Blanc | 42% Viognier | 11% Roussanne
Fermented concrete egg, concrete tulip, and French oak cask, barrels and puncheons
Aged four months sur lie: 53% in concrete and 47% in French oak barrels (14% new)
Released Spring 2020
650 Cases Produced

Vinous | 93
Brilliant straw-gold. Powerful, mineral-accented pear and peach nectar scents reveal suggestions of honey, citrus zest and pungent flowers. Weighty yet energetic on the palate, offering intense orchard and pit fruit flavors that are given spine by a core of juicy acidity. Rich yet sharply delineated, showing outstanding finishing clarity, silken texture and strong, mineral-driven persistence. Raised in a combination of concrete tank and used oak barrels. -December 2020 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Advocate | 92 
The 2019 Epoch White is made up of 47% Grenache Blanc, 42% Viognier and 11% Roussanne. It has lovely honeyed aromas with notions of hay, hazelnut, elderflower and white stone fruits. The palate is medium-bodied with a rounded, gently leesy texture and bright pops of freshness on the long, gently honeyed finish. I’d love to taste this with a couple years of bottle age. 585 cases produced. – October 2020 (Erin Brooks)

Jeb Dunnuck | 91-93
The same Grenache Blanc-dominated blend as the 2018, the 2019 White is a pretty, lively, medium-bodied white offering classy notes of crushed citrus, nectarines, and white flowers. It shines for its freshness yet still brings plenty of texture and length on the palate. -September 2020 (Jeb Dunnuck)

2018 White

Catapult and Paderewski Vineyards, Paso Robles
47% Grenache Blanc, 42% Viognier, 11% Roussanne
Fermented in concrete egg, concrete tulip, and French oak barrels and puncheons
Aged four months sur lie: 53% in concrete and 47% in French oak barrels (14% new)

Jeb Dunnuck | 94
This estate makes beautiful whites, and the 2018 Estate White checks in as 47% Grenache Blanc, 42% Viognier, and 11% Roussanne. It has a fruit-forward, fleshy style as well as pure notes of pineapple, white peach, tangerine, honeysuckle, and salty minerality. With beautiful balance, integrated acidity, and a great finish, it has the class to stand nicely on its own yet will also shine on a dinner table. Drink 2019 – 2022; October 2019,  (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 93
Pale yellow. Penetrating aromas of fresh citrus and orchard fruits are complemented by hints of chalky minerals and ginger. Juicy and incisive in the mouth, offering pear, peach and Meyer lemon flavors that show excellent clarity and mineral drive. The mineral note carries strongly through the energetic finish, which displays sharp delineation and impressive tenacity. Raised in a combination of small concrete tanks and French oak barrels; February, 2020 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Advocate | 93
The 2018 Epoch White is made up of 47% Grenache Blanc, 42% Viognier and 11% Roussane aged in 14% new oak. It has floral aromas of honeysuckle, orange blossom and musk with a core of poached pears, green apples, lime peel, fresh quince and a minerally undercurrent. The palate is light to medium-bodied, clean, fresh and floral with mouthwatering freshness and a long, lifted finish. 720 cases produced. – February 2020 (Erin Brooks)

2017 White

Catapult and Paderewski Vineyards, Paso Robles
48% Viognier, 40% Grenache Blanc, 12% Roussanne
Fermented in concrete eggs, oak and stainless steel barrels; no malolactic fermentation.
Aged four months sur lie: 56% concrete, 37% in French oak barrels (7% new), and 7% stainless steel barrels

Wine Advocate | 93+
A blend of 48% Viognier, 40% Grenache Blanc and 12% Roussanne, the 2017 Epoch White is further testimony to the excellence of which Paso Robles whites are capable, wafting from the glass with a fragrant bouquet of peach, white flowers and lime cordial. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied, taut and concentrated, with mouthwatering acids and a long, fragrant and beautifully delineated finish. While Viognier is the largest component of the blend, it doesn’t drown out the other varieties’ voices. Drink 2018 – 2026; May 2018,  (William Kelley)

Jeb Dunnuck | 93
I always love the white from this estate and the 2017 White (48% Viognier, 40% Grenache Blanc, and the rest Roussanne) is another winner. White flowers, stone fruits, citrus, and a distinct salty minerality all emerge from this elegant, incredibly pure, finesse-oriented white that will keep for 3-4 years. Drink 2018 – 2022; November 2018,  (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 93
Pale bright yellow. Penetrating scents of ripe citrus and pit fruits are joined by hints of chalky minerals, candied ginger and honeysuckle. Juicy and deeply concentrated but lively in the mouth, offering poached pear, peach nectar and Meyer lemon flavors that show excellent delineation and energetic back-end lift. The mineral and floral notes repeat emphatically on the incisive finish, which lingers with impressive persistence. Drink 2020 – 2025. – September 2018, (Josh Raynolds)

2016 White

Catapult and Paderewski Vineyards, Paso Robles
47% Grenache Blanc, 39% Viognier, 14% Roussanne
Fermented cool in concrete eggs, concrete tulips, and barrels with weekly batonnage. No malolactic fermentation.
Aged five months sur lie: 61% concrete and 39% in French oak barrels (10% new)

Jeb Dunnuck | 93
The 2016 Estate White checks in as a blend of 47% Grenache Blanc, 39% Viognier and the balance Roussanne, all of which spent 5 months, on lees, in 61% concrete tanks and the rest in 10% new barrels. It offers terrific notes of peach, spice, brioche and caramelized pineapple. Rich, unctuous and layered, yet with bright acidity and a great finish.

Vinous | 92
Bright yellow. Dried pear, honeydew melon, peach pit and chamomile on the deeply perfumed nose, which is energized by a hint of candied lemon peel. Smooth and broad on the palate, offering intense citrus and pit fruit flavors along with fennel and quinine nuances. Plays richness off vibrancy with a deft hand and finishes very long and chewy, leaving a suave floral note behind. I’d love to serve this wine alongside a top-notch white Châteauneuf-du-Pape. – November 2017 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Advocate | 91+
Composed of 47% Grenache Blanc, 39% Viognier and 14% Roussanne, the 2016 Epoch White opens with lovely oral notes of honeysuckle and orange blossom over a core of poached pears, preserved lemons and allspice. Medium to full-bodied and dry, with a pleasant suggestion of oiliness to the texture and a lively backbone lifting the spicy stone fruit and pear flavors, it finishes on a lingering white pepper note. Drinking deliciously now, it should age beautifully over the next six to eight years. – September 2017 (Lisa Perotti-Brown)

2015 White

Catapult and Paderewski Vineyards, Paso Robles
46% Viognier, 40% Grenache Blanc, 14% Roussanne
Fermented cool in concrete eggs, concrete tulips, and barrels with weekly batonnage. 15% skin contact. No malolactic fermentation.
Aged five months Sur Lie in 61% concrete, 30% Neutral oak barrels, and 9% new once-used barrels

Wine Advocate | 93
A blend of 46% Grenache Blanc, 40% Viognier and 16% Roussanne, the 2015 Epoch White reveals pretty aromas of peaches, apricots and what the French call “fleurs de vignes”—the flowers produced by blossoming grapevines. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied, pure and succulent, with good depth and concentration and a youthfully chalky finish. -May 2018 (William Kelley)

Vinous | 91
Light yellow-gold. Tangerine, melon and a citrus pith nuance on the fragrant nose. Sappy and tightly wound, offering dried pear and Meyer lemon flavors that flesh out and become more succulent with air. Picks up a hint of tarragon on the finish, which lingers with very good, mineral-tinged persistence. – September 2016 (Josh Raynolds)

2014 White

Catapult and Paderewski Vineyards, Paso Robles
52% Viognier, 48% Grenache Blanc
Fermented in two French concrete eggs, two concrete Italian tulips, stainless steel, and neutral oak barrels. Skin contact on one contributing lot of Viognier for 24 hours. No malolactic fermentation.
Aged five months Sur Lie in 42% concrete, 31% stainless steel barrels and 27% Neutral oak barrels

Vinous | 91
Light yellow-gold. Complex, high-pitched aromas of fresh citrus and pit fruits and jasmine, with a mineral nuance building in the glass. Penetrating and pure, showing excellent focus to its Anjou pear and orange zest flavors underscored by a hint of chalk. This fleshy, dry wine finishes with solid thrust and excellent mineral-driven persistence. – September 2015 (Josh Raynolds)

Wine Advocate | 91
Always a beautiful white, the 2014 Epoch White is a blend of 52% Viognier and 48% Grenache Blanc that was raised in a combination of concrete eggs, stainless steel and neutral oak. Seeing a touch of skin contact and no malolactic fermentation, it has pretty notes of white peach, lemon, honeysuckle and a touch of minerality to go with a bright, juicy, clean and lively feel on the palate. It gains a touch of richness with time in the glass, but it’s more fresh than rich. It will drink nicely for 1-3 years. – August 2015 (Jeb Dunnuck)

2013 White

Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards, Paso Robles
52% Grenache Blanc, 39% Viognier, 9% Roussanne
25% Aged in concrete tanks | 42% Aged in neutral oak barrels | 33% Aged in stainless steel barrels
604 cases produced

Jeb Dunnuck | 93
As an example of how the whites age, Jordan opened a 2013 White, which was still youthful and showing beautifully. Citrus blossom, white flowers, some obvious minerality, and beautiful richness and depth on the palate all made for a beautiful, compelling white. -November 2018

Wine Advocate | 91
The 2013 Epoch White is a blend 47% Grenache Blanc, 45% Viognier and 8% Roussanne. It opens with delicate notions of acacia and baby’s breath, Bosc pear, quince peel and fresh apples with touches of lime peel and candle wax. Light to medium-bodied, it’s very pretty in the mouth with delicate but intense, floral-laced fruits and great freshness to lift the finish. 604 cases were made. -February 2020 (Erin Brooks)

Vinous | 90
The 2013 White is nicely layered in this vintage. White and yellow stone fruits meld into flowers and mint. In 2013, the greater presence of Viognier adds texture, body and volume. – July 2014 (Antonio Galloni)

2012 White

Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards, Paso Robles
61% Grenache Blanc, 31% Viognier, 8% Roussanne
Fermented in concrete, stainless steel and neutral oak barrels
Aged in concrete, stainless steel and neutral oak barrels
217 cases produced

Vinous | 93
The 2012 Epoch White is one of the most beautiful, striking wines of the vintage. Apricot, peach, mint and white flowers all meld together in this deeply satisfying, rich, resonant wine. All the elements are perfectly balanced in this delicious white. – July 2013 (Antonio Galloni)

International Wine Report | 92
The 2012 Epoch White is fantastic blend… from the Catapult and Paderewski vineyards.  It brings gorgeous aromas and flavors of tropical fruits, vanilla, melon, stony mineral, white blossom, white pepper and dew notes.  It has a wonderful rich texture that is balanced by just the right touch of acidity.  This is a delicious wine that should develop nicely over the next few years. Best 2014-2020. – December 2013 (Joe D’Angelo)

Wine Advocate | 92
Made primarily from Grenache Blanc with the stated goal to be fresh and lively, the 2012 Epoch White succeeds admirably. Fermented all in concrete eggs, it offers knockout citrus, pear, grassy herbs and hints of tropical fruit to go with a medium-bodied, pure and lively palate that has superb depth through the mid-palate. Fresh, clean and focused, it’s impressive and should be consumed in its fresh and lively youth. Drink now.

2011 White

Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards, Paso Robles
70% Grenache Blanc, 20% Marsanne, 10% Roussanne
100% Barrel fermented in neutral oak and stainless steel barrels
120 cases produced (Tasting Room Only)

Jeb Dunnuck | 90
Beautifully aromatic, with citrus and apple-laced fruit being supported by solid underlying minerality and slate like characteristics, the 2011 Epoch Estate Wines Estate White, almost all Grenache Blanc, is medium-bodied, round, sweetly fruited and fresh. It’s a straight-up delicious white meant for drinking over the coming year or two. -June 2012 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Rhone Report | 90
Pale yellow. Mineral-accented aromas of pear, nectarine and white peach, with suggestions of mace and fennel. Dry and firm-edged, with a smoky quality adding interest to the sappy pit and orchard fruit flavors. Bright acidity adds lift and bite to the firm, minerally finish. – November 2012 (Josh Raynolds)

Vinous | 90
The 2011 Epoch White is quite beautiful in this vintage. The addition of Marsanne and Roussanne to the Grenache Blanc helps to smooth some of the pricklier edges that are found in the 2010. Aging in steel and neutral oak keeps the floral and stone fruit flavors vibrant, textured and beautifully focused. The blend is 70% Grenache Blanc, 20% Marsanne and 10% Roussanne. – August 2012 (Antonio Galloni)

Wine Advocate | 90
The 2011 Epoch White is quite beautiful in this vintage. The addition of Marsanne and Roussanne to the Grenache Blanc helps to smooth some of the pricklier edges that are found in the 2010. Aging in steel and neutral oak keeps the floral and stone fruit flavors vibrant, textured and beautifully focused. The blend is 70% Grenache Blanc, 20% Marsanne and 10% Roussanne. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2014. August 2012 (Antonio Galloni)


York Mountain Grenache

2021 York Mountain Grenache

Jeb Dunnuck | 92 – 94+
The 2021 Grenache York Mountain is more masculine, with more blue fruits, leather, violets, and peppery herb notes, as well as some obvious minerality. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, this focused, fresh, nicely structured Grenache will benefit from just a year or so in bottle, and I have no doubt it will evolve for a good decade. – September 2022 (Jeb Dunnuck)

2019 York Mountain Grenache

Jeb Dunnuck | 93-95
I loved the 2019 Grenache York Mountain, which has a distinctly Rhône-like bouquet of darker berry fruits, licorice, and peppery herbs as well as even a hint of herbes de Provence. With medium to full-bodied richness, beautiful overall balance, and considerable elegance, it’s an impressive Grenache that I’d be happy to put in a blind lineup of top Châteauneuf du Pape. – September 2020 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 94
The 2019 Grenache York Mountain has an alluring “cool climate” feel this vintage, with detailed aromas of black and red cherries, cracked pepper, violets and orange peel. The palate is elegant with rounded acidity and fine spicy accents, finishing with pretty floral accents. This was aged for 17 months in mostly concrete and neutral wood, and 295 cases were made. It will be released in the spring of 2022. -November 2021 (Erin Brooks)

2018 York Mountain Grenache

Jeb Dunnuck | 96
Coming from new plantings on York Mountain, the 2018 Grenache York Mountain showed beautifully, with a complex, nuanced style in its ripe blue fruits, herbes de Provence, pepper, and violet aromas and flavors. It packs plenty of richness yet offers a more medium to full-bodied, elegant, silky texture, light tannins, and a great finish. Drink this Châteauneuf du Pape look-alike any time over the coming 7-8 years or more.  – September 2020 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 96 
Made entirely of Grenache, the medium to deep ruby-purple colored 2018 Grenache York Mountain grows in sandstone and was aged 18 months in neutral oak. The nose is singular and spicy, with addicting, layered aromas of earth, spices, meats and tricolored fruits, more nuances and layers coming through with time in the glass. The palate is full-bodied, firm, ripe and super fresh, with full fruit character corseted by an elegant frame, and it finishes long and expansive. Wow! 289 cases produced. -October 2020 (Erin Brooks)

Wine Enthusiast | 91 
Dense aromas of boysenberry pie, dried beef and cardamom show on the nose of this bottling from a newer vineyard, where the vines are quite young. The palate is dense with ripe purple fruit and flowers, from violet and lilac to lavender. The sticky tannins need a bit more time. – April 2022 (Matt Kettmann)

Vinous | 95 
Shimmering ruby-red. Vibrant red berry, cherry and floral pastille scents are complemented by a spicy hint of white pepper. Lively and appealingly sweet, offering intense, sharply defined Chambord and cherry flavors and a touch of candied lavender. Shows outstanding energy and finishes very long and spicy, with repeating florality and fi ne-grained tannins adding gentle grip. Aged for 18 months in neutral French oak puncheons. – July 2022 (Josh Raynolds)


York Mountain Syrah

2021 York Mountain Syrah

Jeb Dunnuck | 98 – 99
I was blown away by the 2021 Syrah York Mountain, an incredible Syrah in the making. Awesome dark blue fruits, peppery herbs, game, and cedar notes all define the bouquet, and it’s full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, with ultra-fine tannins. A gem of a wine with more than a touch of great Côte Rôtie in its character, I doubt there’s much of this to go around, so if you get a chance to buy a bottle, don’t miss it. – September 2022 (Jeb Dunnuck)

2019 York Mountain Syrah

Jeb Dunnuck | 93 – 95
I was able to taste multiple barrels of the 2019 Syrah York Mountain. This will be a Rhône-styled Syrah with medium to full-bodied richness and depth as well as lots of meaty, peppery aromas and flavors. I love its balance, it stays nicely focused and elegant on the palate, has silky tannins, and outstanding length. – September 2020 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Jeb Dunnuck | 94+
Seeing a full 40% stems and 18 months in 30% new puncheons, the 2019 Syrah York Mountain offers a cool climate vibe in its ripe black fruits as well as ground pepper, smoked game, and violet aromas and flavors. This round, supple, seamless Syrah has plenty of mid-palate fruit, ripe tannins, and a wonderful finish. – September 2021 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Jeb Dunnuck | 95
I was able to taste multiple barrels of the 2019 Syrah York Mountain. This will be a Rhône-styled Syrah with medium to full-bodied richness and depth as well as lots of meaty, peppery aromas and flavors. I love its balance, it stays nicely focused and elegant on the palate, has silky tannins, and outstanding length. – September 2022 (Jeb Dunnuck)

2018 York Mountain Syrah

Jeb Dunnuck | 93-95
Coming from the estate property on York Mountain, the 2018 Syrah York Mountain offers fresh, classic Syrah character in its pure dark berry fruits, bay leaf, white pepper, and distinct mineral-laced aromas and flavors. These carry to a medium to full-bodied Syrah that has ripe tannins, terrific balance, and outstanding length. – September 2019 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Jeb Dunnuck | 98
The 2018 Syrah York Mountain is straight-up stunning and has everything I look for in a truly great Syrah. Boasting a purple hue as well as cool-climate notes of assorted darker fruits, smoked game, ground pepper, chocolate, and chalky minerality, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, flawless balance, beautifully integrated acidity, and a heavenly finish. This is a rich, concentrated yet exceedingly elegant, seamless Syrah from winemaker Jordan Fiorentini that needs a year or three of bottle age and will shine for over a decade.  – September 2020 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 94 
Aged 18 months in 29% new French oak barrels and puncheons, the 2018 Syrah York Mountain contains 1% Viognier and is scented of cassis, smoked meats, fresh mint leaves and coffee beans. The palate is fully fruited but nearly weightless—ripe and juicy with an ethereal lift—and it finishes long and juicy. 418 cases produced. – October 2020 (Erin Brooks)

Wine Enthusiast | 95 
Nearly opaque in the glass, this bottling from the newer vines planted on this historic property begins with aromas of black currant, violet and caramel. It’s bone dry and firm on the palate yet packed with unctuous flavors of black fruit, cocoa dust and espresso bean, with structure and acidity that are built to last – April 2022 (Matt Kettmann)

Vinous | 95 
Inky violet. Deep-pitched black and blue fruit aromas pick up suggestions of olive, vanilla and exotic spices with air. Broad and expansive in style, offering palate-staining cassis, bitter cherry, licorice and violet pastille flavors that unfurl steadily and turn sweeter through the back half. Pliant tannins add shape to the very long, smoke- and spice-accented finish, which emphatically echoes the dark fruit, olive and floral notes. Aged for18 months in French oak barriques and puncheons, 29% of them new. – July 2022 (Josh Raynolds)


York Mountain Viognier

2021 York Mountain Viognier

Jeb Dunnuck | 92
I loved the 2021 Viognier York Mountain, and the quality from these mountain vineyards in the York Mountain AVA continues to impress. This has bright tangerine and citrus fruits, a touch of minerality, medium body, good acidity, and a clean, pure, elegant profile that will drink nicely for 2-4 years, although there’s no need to delay gratification. – September 2022 (Jeb Dunnuck)

2020 York Mountain Viognier

Wine Enthusiast | 92
Clean and expressive aromas of lemon glaze, ripe apple and baking spice are brushed with a hint of butter on the nose of this bottling from a new vineyard on historic grounds. There’s a fresh sizzle of acidity on the palate, which cuts through the rich smoked apple flavors. Serve with roasted chicken and salmon. – April 2022 (Matt Kettmann)

Jeb Dunnuck | 93 
The 2020 Viognier was bottled in May, and it’s certainly in the same ballpark as the 2019. Crisp nectarines, honeyed tangerines, and white flower-like notes all make an appearance, and it’s medium-bodied, fresh, vibrant, and a joy to drink. – September 2021 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 96 
Blended with 13% Roussanne and matured in 27% new French oak, the 2020 York Mountain Viognier has explosive aromas of baked apples, jasmine, honeycomb and roasted almonds. The medium-bodied palate is expansive and satiny with honeyed flavors and mouthwatering acidity that drives the long finish. This lovely white will pair widely at the table. 298 cases were made. – December 30, 2022 (Erin Brooks)

2019 York Mountain Viognier

Jeb Dunnuck | 92-94
The 2019 Viognier is also beautiful, and this can be a challenging variety in California. Lots of mineral-laced citrus and nectarines, notes of white flowers, medium to full-bodied richness, and both richness and freshness all make for a brilliant Viognier that’s going to shine on the dinner table.  -September 2020 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Jeb Dunnuck | 92
The 2019 Viognier, which comes from the York Mountain Vineyard, is terrific, offering a textbook perfume of tangerines, honeyed flowers, and chalky minerality. It’s clean, fresh, and vibrant, with bright acidity balanced by terrific, classic Viognier texture and richness. – September 2021 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 94
The 2019 York Mountain Viognier, blended with 3% Roussanne and aged nine months sur lie in 33% new French oak puncheons, has alluring aromas of white peaches, tangerine peel, beeswax and hazelnuts. There’s a stony streak loaded with fruit but not an over-the-top expression. The palate balances bright, preserved citrus and mineral character with deeper tones of beeswax and a rounded texture, finishing very long. Its balance and full flavor will allow this to evolve well in the cellar over the next several years. 151 cases were made. – November 2021 (Erin Brooks)

Vinous | 94
Green-hued straw. Fresh nectarine, pear, melon and floral qualities on the highly perfumed nose, along with subtle vanilla and nougat flourishes. Gently sweet and broad on the palate, offering juicy orchard and pit fruit flavors that tighten up steadily with air. The long, penetrating finish shows fine clarity and leaves a suggestion of peach nectar behind. The interplay of richness and energy here is quite impressive. One-third new French oak puncheons. – July 2022 (Josh Raynolds)

2018 York Mountain Viognier

Wine Advocate | 92
The 2018 York Mountain Viognier contains 5% Roussanne and did not go through malolactic. It has a classic, open-knit nose of musk, orange blossom, honeysuckle and lychee with a core of stone fruit salad, tarragon, crushed stone and hints of baker’s yeast and poached pears. The palate is medium to full-bodied and silky, offering expertly restrained, floral-tinged fruits and great freshness, finishing with pleasant texture. – February 2020 (Erin Brooks)

Jeb Dunnuck | 91
The estate makes a classic Viognier from their vines in the cooler York Mountain AVA, which is to the west of Paso Robles, close to the Pacific Ocean. Their 2018 Viognier York Mountain offers medium-bodied, fresh, focused notes of green citrus, tangerine, and lychee, and it’s beautifully balanced and layered. – October 2019 (Jeb Dunnuck)


Zinfandel

2021 Zinfandel   

Jeb Dunnuck | 95 – 97
Coming from a small crop, the 2021 Zinfandel is ripe and concentrated, with powerful blue fruits, spice, and chocolaty notes. These all carry over to the palate, where the wine is full-bodied, round, opulent, and just packed with fruit. I love it, and despite its fruit-forward nature, it has real class and should evolve gracefully. – September 2022 (Jeb Dunnuck)

2020 Zinfandel

Jeb Dunnuck | 94 – 96
The 2020 Zinfandel also has lots of character. Darker berries, violets, and spice notes all emerge from the glass, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with a forward, fruit-loaded style, soft tannins, and a great finish. – September 2022 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 97
The 2020 Zinfandel comes from the Paderewski Vineyard and was harvested September 15-21. Matured for 17 months in 27% new French oak, it has a medium ruby-purple color and alluring aromas of cranberries, red cherries, mint, powdered sugar, orange peel, earth and tea leaves. The full-bodied palate boasts lip-smacking acidity, gently chewy tannins and concentrated yet layered flavors, while a fan of herbs, flowers and spices defines the long finish. It’s very detailed and kaleidoscopic at this stage; drink it over the next 3-5 years for its generous, expressive fruit. 461 cases were made. – December 30, 2022 (Erin Brooks)

2019 Zinfandel

100% Paderewski Vineyard
100% Zinfandel
Fermented in concrete, oak tanks, and 1-ton bins
Aged 17 months in French oak mid-sized barrels and puncheons (46% new)
Released Spring 2022
395 Cases Produced

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)

Jeb Dunnuck | 95
The 2019 Zinfandel offers up a big, beautiful, medium to full-bodied style carrying ample blue and black fruits as well as candied violets and toasted spices. As with all the wines here, the tannins are ripe and polished, it has solid purity of fruit, and while already enjoyable, it’s going to keep for a decade. -September 2021 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Advocate | 95
The 2019 Zinfandel is an exuberant blend of 91% Zinfandel, 8% Syrah and 1% Viognier, aged 17 months in 46% new French oak. It’s ultra spicy, with dark berries laced with licorice and potpourri on the nose. An elegant frame supports intense, fresh fruits, finishing with tremendous spice. 395 cases were made for a spring of 2022 release. -November 2021 (Erin Brooks)

2018 Zinfandel

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)

Vinous | 94
Inky ruby. Spice-tinged cherry and blueberry qualities on the powerfully scented nose, along with hints of vanilla, potpourri and cola. Concentrated yet energetic as well, offering lush, spice-laced black and blue fruit preserve, candied lavender and mocha flavors that show no rough edges. Closes long and smooth, with gentle tannic grip, resonating spice and blue fruit notes. Aged in French oak casks of varying size, 25% of them new. – July 2022 (Josh Raynolds)

2017 Zinfandel

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)

2016 Zinfandel

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)

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

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)

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

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)

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)

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)

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

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)

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

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)

2008 Zinfandel

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)