Authenticity
Authenticity is a very authentic blend with primarily Syrah from one very steep limestone hillside at Paderewski and blended with a neighboring block of Mourvèdre to yield a supple, sultry and seamless wine that is classically Paderewski. Sometimes we co-ferment some Syrah with a neighboring Viognier block to add a little spice and freshness to the mix. This wine is deemed “The Bill Wine” because it has many gears – big and bold yet elegant and refined.
Vintage Details:
2020
Varietal: 100% Syrah
Birthplace: 100% Paderewski Vineyard
Hometown: Paso Robles AVA, Willow Creek District
Birth Date: September 22 – 30, 2020
Birth Weight: 26.3º Brix
Rearing: Fermented in concrete, stainless steel, oak tank, and new French oak puncheons
Education: Aged 19 months in French oak barrels and puncheons (48% new)
GPA: 3.70 pH | 5.3 g/L TA | 15.1% Alc.
Graduation: Bottled July 28, 2022
Siblings: 602 cases
Biography: The 2020 Authenticity fills the senses with bold, decadent aromas – rich blackberry, black raspberry, juicy plum, leather, and roasted meats – however, alongside its luxurious indulgence, the wine is layered and energetic on the palate. With so much to be revealed with time in the glass – crushed rocks, tobacco, candied violets, herbs de Provence, graphite, and cocoa – this wine is not stagnant. Keeping the senses active and engaged, 2020 Authenticity highlights the many different gears a Paso Syrah can express. – Jordan Fiorentini, Winemaker
Accolades: 96 points, Jeb Dunnuck
2019
#15 ON JEB DUNNUCK’s TOP 100 WINES 2022
Varieties: 100% Syrah
Birthplace: 87% Paderewski and 13% York Mountain Vineyards
Hometown: Willow Creek District, Paso Robles
Siblings: 572 cases
Rearing: September 30 – October 21, 2019. Fermented in concrete, stainless steel, and new French oak puncheons (26% stem inclusion)
Birth Weight: 26.8 Brix
Education: Aged 18 months in French oak barrels and puncheons (42% new)
GPA: 4.00 pH | 5.2 g/L TA | 15.0% Alc.
Graduation: July 25, 2021|
Biography: The aromas continually evolve in this sophisticated, well-structured Syrah from predominantly Paderewski Vineyard with a touch of our cooler climate York Mountain Vineyard. Graphite, roasted meats and herbs (think bay leaf/thyme/sage-rubbed, oven-roasted filet), and kalamata olive lead to more violet and red rose, blueberry fruits, minerals, and vanilla. The texture builds as the wine moves in a purposeful path from entry to finish, leaving impressions of complexity and how much you want to enjoy this baby with about 7+ years on it. If you can’t wait, decant!
Accolades: Wine Advocate 98, Jeb Dunnuck 97
2018
Varietials:90% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre
Birthplace: 100% Paderewski Vineyard
Hometown: Willow Creek District, Paso Robles
Siblings: 522 cases
Birthdate: September 19 – October 9, 2018
Birth Weight: 26.5 Brix
Rearing: Fermented in ½-ton puncheons and stainless steel tank (16% stomped whole cluster)
Education: Aged 19 months in French oak mid-sized barrels and puncheons (77% new)
GPA: 3.81 pH | 5.7 g/L TA | 15.2% Alc.
Graduation: July 14, 2020
Biography: Fresh-cut herbs, red fruits, roses, forest floor, and roasted meats lead the way to this silky, sensation-filled wine. Flavors and aromas see-saw between savory and fruity, floral and earth, truffles and tobacco. Entering round and plush with velvety tannins, this wine expresses up and down motion as richness, acid, and tannin dance across the palate with secondary notes of graphite, cedar, and baking spices. It finishes with a lasting back-to-front brush of texture on the roof of the mouth.
Accolades: Jeb Dunnuck 97-99
2017
Varietals: 92% Syrah, 6% Mourvèdre, 2% Viognier
Birthplace: 100% Paderewski Vineyard
Hometown: Willow Creek, Paso Robles
Siblings: 670 cases
Rearing: August 31st – September 28th, 2017. Fermented in concrete, oak puncheons, and stainless steel tanks (22% stomped whole cluster)
Education: Aged 19 months in French oak barrels and puncheons (69% new)
GPA: 3.74 pH | 5.5 g/L TA | 15.8% Alc.
Graduation: June 12, 2019
Biography: Pure bliss, the 2017 Authenticity softly folds across the palate like a velvet curtain dropping in slow motion. As always, the Syrah component comes from one hillside at Paderewski (Block 4A) and is combined with a dallop of Mourvèdre, and in this vintage, a sprinkling of Viognier as well.
Accolades: Jeb Dunnuck 98, Vinous 96, Wine Advocate 93
2016
Varietals: 89% Syrah and 11% Mourvèdre
Birthplace: 100% Paderewski Vineyard
Hometown: Willow Creek, Paso Robles
Siblings: 403 Cases Produced
Rearings: September 7 – 24, 2016. Fermented in 100% new French oak puncheons and stainless steel tank (overall 28% whole cluster)
Education: Aged 19 months in French oak mid-sized barrels and puncheons (70% new)
GPA: 3.87 pH | 5.8 g/L TA | 15.2% Alc.
Graduations: July 25, 2018
Biography: The 2016 Authenticity ebbs and flows in an up and down motion as it gracefully dances across the palate. It balances the bold richness of Paso Syrah with the elusive, sought-after spice of cooler climate Syrah. The result is a wine that has it all, yielding a true experience in white & black pepper, flowers, roasted meats & herbs, black licorice, and red & purple fruits. There is such great energy on the palate, making this one of my all-time favorite Epoch wines.
Accolades: Jeb Dunnuck 98, Wine Advocate 96, Vinous 96, Wine Enthusiast 95 & Cellar Selection, Wine Spectator 91
2015
Varietals: 81% Syrah and 19% Mourvèdre
Birthplace: 100% Paderewski Vineyard
Hometown: Willow Creek, Paso Robles
Siblings: 299 Cases Produced
Rearings: August 28 – September 22, 2015. Fermented in new ½- ton French oak puncheons and 1-ton bins (35% whole cluster)
Educations: Aged 18 months in French oak barrels and puncheons (77% new)
GPA: 3.98 pH | 5.5 g/L TA | 15.1% Alc.
Graduations: May 3, 2017
Biography: The 2015 Authenticity represents why we love to incorporate whole clusters into our fermentations. When the stars align and the entire cluster is beautifully ripe, the resulting wine becomes so much more than the sum of its stem and fruit parts. With 35% whole cluster inclusion, this wine is a treasure that unravels with air and time. At first meaty, earthy and reductive, ethereal freshness accompanies rich yet delicate red fruit and laces the aromas and palate with peppery spice. Seekers, this wine has that “it” factor that is easier to taste than describe.
Accolades: Jeb Dunnuck 99, Wine Advocate 97, Vinous 95, Wine Enthusiast 93, Wine Spectator 91
2014
Varietals: 89% Syrah and 11% Mourvèdre
Birthplace: 100% Paderewski Vineyard
Hometown: Willow Creek, Paso Robles
Siblings: 517 Cases Produced
Rearing: September 12 – 23, 2014 in stainless steel, oak and concrete tanks and new ½- ton French oak puncheons (39% whole cluster)
Educations: Aged 18 months in French oak barrels and puncheons (66% new)
GPA: 3.72 pH | 5.6 g/L TA | 15.9% Alc.
Graduation: May 16, 2016
Biography: This sultry and seductive Syrah-dominant hillside blend smells and tastes like autumn – sweet leather, dried tobacco, brown cooking spice, red plum and fresh cranberry compote. Authenticity’s Syrah roots shine with a plethora of roasted meatiness and roasted herb flavors (sage, rosemary and thyme, of course). As usual, a healthy dollop of Mourvèdre adds length and tames the bigness of Syrah, revealing a touch of wet earth, pomegranate, forest floor and sassafras. Bring on the roaring fire!
Accolades: Jeb Dunnuck 97, Wine Advocate 95, Vinous 94, Wine Enthusiast 93
2013
Varietials: 82% Syrah and 18% Mourvèdre
Birth Place: 100% Paderewski Vineyard
Hometown: Willow Creek, Paso Robles
Siblings: 596 Cases Produced
Birthday: September 5 – 26, 2013
Birth Weight: 26.9° Brix
Rearing: Fermented ~57% whole cluster in concrete and stainless steel tanks, ½-ton French oak puncheons and 1-ton bins
Education: Aged for 17 months in 53% new French oak barrels and puncheons
GPA: 3.81 pH | 5.6 g/L TA | 15.9% Alc.
Graduation: April 20, 2015
Biography: The 2013 Authenticity makes you feel like you can smell color. Having grown out of her initial baby fat and approaching teenhood in wine years, she is showing her core characteristics of red and black berry fruits, vivacious floral notes, alongside chalky minerality and tannins. Both candied and fresh violets jump out of the glass, complexed by grilled herbs, sweet leather and black cherry. So good right now it will be hard to wait, but just imagine what she will become!
Accolades: Wine Advocate 97, International Wine Report 95, Wine Enthusiast 94, Vinous 93, Wine Spectator 93
2012
Varietials: 71% Syrah, 28% Mourvèdre, 1% Viognier (from a Syrah co-ferment)
Birth Place: Paderewski Vineyard
Hometown: Willow Creek, Paso Robles
Production: 571 Cases Produced
Birthday: September 24 – October 8, 2012
Birth Weight: 27° Brix
Rearing: Fermented ~ 58% whole cluster in stainless steel and ½ ton French oak puncheons
Education: Aged for 18 months in 51% new French oak barrels and puncheons
GPA: 3.69 pH | 5.6 g/L TA | 15.7% Alc.
Graduation: June 2014
Biography: Authenticity is as sophisticated and elegant as the perfect black dress, however, she’s got a hint of spice, accentuated by the tease of a slit up her skirt leg. She wears the power of Paderewski’s steep limestone hillsides gracefully and will become more supple through the years. Red plum and Bing cherry, worn leather, dried tobacco and sweet wood unite with a palate laced in velvety red fruit, seared filet and dark chocolate. Her mouth-watering chalky tannins and acid backbone ensure that she will be in style for quite some time.
Accolades: International Wine Report 96, Wine Advocate 95, Vinous 93, Wine Spectator 92
2011
Varietals: 66% Syrah, 33% Mourvèdre, 1% Viognier
Birthplace: Paderewski Vineyard
Hometown: Willow Creek, Paso Robles
Siblings: 469 Cases Produced
Rearing: Fermented in stainless steel tanks and French oak puncheons
Education: Aged 17 Months in 60% new French Oak
Biography: Velvety and rich with heightened elegance, Authenticity is female in gender for 2011, and wearing a bit of gold with her cofermentation of Viognier (1%). Take her out and show her off to your friends, however you might wish you just kept her all to yourself.
Accolades: Wine Advocate 96, International Wine Report 95, Wine Enthusiast 93 & Cellar Selection, Vinous 93, Wine Spectator 91
2010
International Wine Report’s #1 Wine of the Year for 2013
Varietals: 76% Syrah and 24% Mourvèdre
Birthplace: Paderewski Vineyard
Hometown: Willow Creek, Paso Robles
Siblings: 492 cases produced
Rearing: Fermented in stainless tanks, French oak puncheons and concrete tanks
Education: Aged for 20 months in 65% new French oak
Biography: This wine is living up to its muse – Bill Armstrong. Earning its name as “The Bill Wine” from the moment of blending, the 2010 Authenticity is complex and outspoken with many elaborate gears. Its integrated stemy-ness brings its fruit and minerality to a whole new level of wine enjoyment.
Accolades: Rhone Report 96, Wine Advocate 96, International Wine Report 96 & #1 (2012), Wine Spectator 93, Vinous 93
2009
Varietals: 64% Syrah and 36% Mourvèdre
Birthplace: Paderewski Vineyard
Hometown: Willow Creek, Paso Robles
Siblings: 504 cases produced
Education: Aged for 23 months in 45% new French oak barrels and puncheons
Biography: The 2009 Authenticity with 64% Syrah and 36% Mourvèdre is an intensely complex, chewy and textured wine that attests to how serious Mourvèdre can be. Aromas of violets explode off the nose and lend the way to damp forest floor, nutmeg, dried cranberry and black plum. Flavors are savory and sweet – white pepper, sweet cigar, dried black cherry and smoked game. A meal in itself – maybe you don’t even need the meat!
Accolades: Rhone Report 96+, Wine Advocate 96, Vinous 93, Wine Spectator 91
2008
Varietals: 100% Syrah
Birthplace: Paderewski Vineyard
Hometown: Willow Creek, Paso Robles
Siblings: 242 cases produced
Education: Aged 22 months in 50% new French oak barrels
Biography: A varietal blend true to the power and intensity of the Northern Rhône. One of our varietal Rhône wines, Authenticity is a Syrah-based blend showing the power, structure and elegance of Northern Rhône grapes grown on the Paderewski Vineyard. Its “I want to dive into the glass aromas” intensely combine ripe black plum, blackberry compote, leather, dried herbs and vanilla bean. With similar flavors extending through the whole mouth this wine shows huge length, ripe purple fruit, fresh acidity, savory meats and barrel spice. The 2008 Authenticity is 100% Syrah and is worthy of 10+ years of cellar age.
Accolades: Vinous 95, Wine Advocate 95, Wine Spectator 95, Rhone Report 94
2007
Varietals: 88% Syrah and 12% Mourvèdre
Birthplace: Paderewski Vineyard
Hometown: Willow Creek, Paso Robles
Siblings: 203 cases produced
Education: Aged 14 months in 70% new French oak barrels
Biography: Dark black fruit, intense concentration, and plenty of upside for aging. One of our three Rhône blends, Authenticity is a Syrah-based blend showing the power, structure and elegance of Northern Rhône grapes grown on the Paderewski Vineyard. With 88% Syrah and 12% Mourvèdre, this wine is intensely concentrated and continues to evolve with cellar age. Aromas straddle the sweet and the savory, with a delicious meaty character alongside dried herbs, black cherry and vanilla. Its rich, yet vibrant palate exhibits chewy tannins, violets and dark black fruits. Drink now or with 5 – 15 years cellar age.
Accolades: Rhone Report 94, Wine Advocate 94, Wine Spectator 92, Vinous 91
