Block B
Always 100% Syrah. Always 100% Paderewski. Always 100% Block 13. The fruit for this wine hails from clone 174 vines grown on the east-facing Block 13, known as Block B, within our Paderewski Vineyard.
Vintage Details:
2021
Varietal: 100% Syrah
Birthplace: 100% Paderewski Vineyard
Hometown: Paso Robles AVA, Willow Creek District
Birth Date: September 13 – 27, 2021
Birth Weight: __° Brix
Rearing: Fermented in concrete & stainless steel tanks and new French oak puncheons
Education: Aged 18 months in French oak barrels and puncheons (75% new)
GPA: 4.06 pH | 5.2 g/L TA | 14.8% Alc.
Graduation: Bottled June 19, 2023
Siblings: 512 cases
Biography: Coming Soon – Jordan Fiorentini, Winemaker
Accolades: 99 points – Jeb Dunnuck, 95+ points – Vinous, 94 points – Wine Advocate
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2020
Varietal: 100% Syrah
Birthplace: 100% Paderewski Vineyard
Hometown: Paso Robles AVA, Willow Creek District
Birth Date: September 14 – 30, 2020
Birth Weight: 26.7º Brix
Rearing: Fermented in concrete, oak tank, and new French oak puncheons
Education: Aged 18 months in French oak mid-sized barrels and puncheons (55% new)
GPA: 3.95 pH | 5.3 g/L TA | 15.1% Alc.
Graduation: Bottled June 9, 2022
Siblings: 745 cases
Biography: Commanding attention, individuality, and respect, the 2020 Block B is a bold expression of Epoch’s iconic wine which consistently speaks to its terroir loud and clear. Aromas of savory brine, roasted game, blackberry, and bouquet garni fill the nose and continue as the wine hits the tongue with sensation fanning out evenly and fully in all directions. Flavors of black licorice, black currant, black cherry, leather, and black pepper join in on this wine’s velvety progression across the palate with thick, rich tannin and balanced acid. – Jordan Fiorentini, Winemaker
Accolades: 97 points, Jeb Dunnuck
2019
MY PROFILE
Parentage: 100% Paderewski Vineyard
District: Willow Creek District | Paso Robles
Stomping Grounds: One east-sloping, white limestone hillside
Ethnicity: 100% Syrah
Siblings: 533 cases
MY STATS
Birthdate: September 24 – October 14, 2019 | Birth Weight: 26.9 Brix
Rearing: Fermented in 100% new French oak puncheons (28% stem inclusion)
Education: Aged 18 months in French oak mid-sized barrels and puncheons (81% new)
GPA: 4.03 pH | 5.0 g/L TA | 15.1% Alc.
Graduation: Bottled July 25, 2021| Debut: Released Fall 2022 | Prime Eligibility: 2025-2035
MY BIO BY WINEMAKER JORDAN FIORENTINI
Showing the long, cooler climate gifts of vintage 2019, Epoch’s Block B is brimming with savory, earthy, and spicey qualities from first pour, which open up with exposure to air in the glass and evolve into dark purple fruit, white flowers, black olives, and roasted meats. The wine shows velvety, flowing layers of fruit and earth on entry then extends out towards the finish with a growing tannin backbone. Although it’s delightful now, more will be revealed after some cellar aging.
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Scores: Wine Advocate 98, Jeb Dunnuck 96+
2018
MY PROFILE
Parentage: 100% Paderewski Vineyard
District: Willow Creek District | Paso Robles
Stomping Grounds: One east-sloping, white limestone hillside
Ethnicity: 100% Syrah
Siblings: 636 cases
MY STATS
Birthdate: September 21 – October 2, 2018 | Birth Weight: 26.6 Brix
Rearing: Fermented in ½-ton puncheons and stainless steel tanks (28% stomped whole cluster)
Education: Aged 19 months in French oak barrels and puncheons (82% new)
GPA: 3.91 pH | 5.1 g/L TA | 15.3% Alc.
Graduation: Bottled July 16, 2020 | Debut: Released Fall 2021 | Prime Eligibility: 2023-2030
MY BIO BY WINEMAKER JORDAN FIORENTINI
Packed with character that slowly, gracefully evolves as the wine hits your glass and breathes, the 2018 Block B showcases all the attributes we know and love about this iconic wine: roasted meat, black olive, olive brine, wet earth, minerals, dark black and blue fruits, white flowers, black pepper, and resinous fresh herbs. Aromas and flavors echo each other and work in harmony, and texture is long and velvety with chalky tannins dotting the palate throughout. From start to finish, this wine exhibits seamless balance and precision and leaves a lasting impression of awe, sophistication, and infatuation.
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Scores: Jeb Dunnuck 97-99
2017
MY PROFILE
Parentage: 100% Paderewski Vineyard
District: Willow Creek | Hometown: Paso Robles
Ethnicity: 100% Syrah
Siblings: 479 cases
MY STATS
Birthdate: September 7th – 20th, 2017
Rearing: Fermented in oak puncheon and stainless steel tanks (27% stomped whole cluster)
Education: Aged 19 months in French oak mid-sized barrels and puncheons (71% new)
GPA: 3.93 pH | 5.2 g/L TA | 15.3% Alc.
Graduation: Bottled June 13th, 2019 | Debut: Released Fall 2020
MY BIO BY WINEMAKER JORDAN FIORENTINI
2017 Block B is the liquid definition of “iron fist, velvet glove,” i.e. power and elegance in harmony. The hue, aromas, and entry of this wine are bold, yet its palate is a sublime balance of earth, minerals, meats, flowers, and fruit.
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Scores: Jeb Dunnuck 97, Vinous 96, Wine Advocate 95+
2016
MY PROFILE
Parentage: 100% Paderewski Vineyard
District: Willow Creek | Hometown: Paso Robles
Stomping Grounds: One east-sloping white limestone hillside
Ethnicity: 100% Syrah, Clone 174, 100% Block B
Siblings: 438 Cases Produced
MY STATS
Birthdate: September 13 – 16, 2016
Rearing: Fermented in 100% new French oak puncheons and stainless steel tank (overall 20% whole cluster)
Education: Aged 19 months in French oak mid-sized barrels and puncheons (80% new)
GPA: 3.94 pH | 5.4 g/L TA | 15.2% Alc.
Graduation: Bottled July 25, 2018 | Debut: Released Fall 2019 | Prime Eligibility: 2022 – 2030
MY BIO BY WINEMAKER JORDAN FIORENTINI
Delicate and subtle at first pour, this wine opens up to reveal intricately woven flavors and structure as you give it air and time in your glass. Year after year, Block B wows us with its consistent and unique palette of brooding and savory notes highlighted by flowers and berry fruit. The 2016 delivers on all of these levels with a yin and yang of flavors folding over each other: roasted meats, black olive, dark earth and chocolate. High notes of black cherry, tobacco leaves, and white flowers send the wine ascending to the back palate, where texture builds.
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Scores: Jeb Dunnuck 98, Vinous 97, Wine Advocate 95, Wine Enthusiast 95, Wine Spectator 92
2015
MY PROFILE
Parentage: 100% Paderewski Vineyard
District: Willow Creek | Hometown: Paso Robles
Stomping Grounds: One east-sloping white limestone hillside
Ethnicity: 100% Syrah, Clone 174
Siblings: 312 Cases Produced
MY STATS
Birthdate: September 3 – 11, 2015
Rearing: Fermented in 100% new ½-ton French oak puncheons
Education: Aged 19 months in new French oak barrels and puncheons (75% new)
GPA: 3.95 pH | 5.4 g/L TA | 15.2% Alc.
Graduation: Bottled June 5, 2017 | Debut: Released Fall 2018 | Prime Eligibility: 2020 – 2028
MY BIO BY WINEMAKER JORDAN FIORENTINI
2015 Block B begs for patience in the cellar. A willingness to decant or enjoy over three days will pay off in this intricate, serious and less muscly expression of our single block Syrah bottling. Elegance abounds revealing alternating high and base notes: violets, huckleberries, dried herbs, and vanillin oscillate with meaty, earthy, black olive and black licorice flavors. Polished tannins, balanced acidity and minerals captivate every sip.
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Scores: Jeb Dunnuck 98, Wine Advocate 97, Vinous 96, Wine Spectator 94, Wine Enthusiast 93
2014
MY PROFILE
Parentage: 100% Paderewski Vineyard
District: Willow Creek | Hometown: Paso Robles
Ethnicity: 100% Syrah, clone 174
Siblings: 490 Cases Produced
MY STATS
Birthdate: September 9-15, 2014
Rearing: Fermented 40% whole cluster in stainless steel tank and new ½-ton French oak puncheons
Education: Aged 18 months in new French oak barrels and puncheons (61% new)
GPA: 3.84 pH | 5.3 g/L TA | 15.7% Alc.
Graduation: Bottled May 16, 2016 | Debut: Released Fall 2017
MY BIO BY WINEMAKER JORDAN FIORENTINI
Bringing the proverbial iron fist, velvet glove that we seek in our wines, 2014 Block B is big but refined. Chock full of chalky tannins, blackberry, huckleberry and black currant fruit, rock-licking minerality and Paderewski’s signature earthy brine / white flower combo, this wine is Syrah from head to toe, entry to finish, first sniff to hours of decant. Watch this youngster age, and you will be wowed by the gifts of patience.
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Scores: Jeb Dunnuck 97, Wine Advocate 97, Wine Enthusiast 95 & Cellar Selection, Vinous 95, Wine Spectator 94
2013
Parentage: 100% Paderewski Vineyard
District: Willow Creek | Hometown: Paso Robles
Stomping Grounds: One northeast-sloping white limestone hillside
Ethnicity: 100% Syrah, clone 174
Siblings: 449 Cases Produced
Ideal Mate: No accompaniment is needed… but if you must, Wagyu rib eye, grilled rare
MY STATS
Birthdate: September 5 – 7, 2013 | Birth weight: 26.7° Brix
Rearing: Fermented ~48% whole cluster in stainless steel tank and oak tanks, ½-ton French oak puncheons, 1-ton bins and ½-ton clay amphora
Education: Aged for 17 months in 49% new and 29% neutral French oak barrels and puncheons and 12% clay amphora
GPA: 3.85 pH | 5.4 g/L TA | 15.8% Alc.
Graduation: Bottled April 24, 2015 | Debut: Released Fall 2016 | Prime Eligibility: 2018-2030+
MY BIO BY WINEMAKER JORDAN FIORENTINI:
A jaw-dropping beauty. A sensation of purity, balance and tremendous strength. The 2013 Block B is super muscular and jam-packed with structure, yet completely round and balanced on the palate. Although still just a bébé, this child is bred from some fine Syrah DNA and is already showing astounding integration. He shows no hard edges, yet is loaded with texture – density, viscosity, yes, and then some. Block B is a drink for the twilight hours and later into the eve.
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Scores: Wine Advocate 97, Wine Enthusiast 96 & Editor’s Choice, International Wine Report 94, Vinous 94, Wine Spectator 92
2012
Birthplace: Paderewski Vineyard
District: Willow Creek | Hometown: Paso Robles
Stomping Grounds: Bred off of one northeast facing limestone hillside
MY PROFILE
Ethnicity: 100% Syrah | Clone 174 | 100% Block B
Gender: Male | Eye Color: Bright blue | Body Shape: Muscular jock
Languages: French, Italian and Mandarin | Hobbies: Rugby and ballet | Siblings: 253 Cases
MY STATS
Birthdate: September 18 and 25, 2012 | Birth Weight: 26.8° Brix
Rearing: Fermented ~ 52% whole cluster in stainless steel and ½ ton French oak puncheons
Education: Aged for 18 months in 44% new French oak barrels and puncheons
GPA: 3.72 pH | 6.7 g/L TA | 15.9% Alc. | Major: Rocket Science
Graduation: Bottled June 2014 | Debut: Released Spring 2015 | Liberation: I will rock you from 2018 – 2028
MY BIO BY WINEMAKER JORDAN FIORENTINI
If you are a Block B lover, this is your wine. It is just so Block B! If you are new to Block B and thus have probably never coveted the juxtaposition of earth, brine, black olive, raw meat and iodine alongside white flowers, black fruits, anise and chocolate in your wine, then welcome. You will never view Syrah the same again! The 2012 Block B captivates your nose and palate with its addicting iconoclastic, unforgettable flavors – deliciously itself and very age worthy.
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Scores: Wine Advocate 95, International Wine Report 95, Vinous 93, Wine Spectator 92
2011
Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
100% Syrah | Clone 174 | 100% Block B
Fermented in 100% French oak puncheons
Aged 17 months in in 55% new French oak
236 cases produced | Unfined and Unfiltered
“Like a rock…” Regardless of vintage, our Block B is always highly concentratedand tannin-rich due to its very specific terrior … Block B. Deemed “Most Serious” in his Senior class, this wine will consistently wow you with its inky color, thick minerality and ripe but intense tannin structure. Try this wine and there is no way you will think that 2011 was a lean vintage. – Jordan Fiorentini, Winemaker
Scores: Wine Advocate 97 & Jeb’s Best List, International Wine Report 95, Vinous 94, Wine Enthusiast 92, Wine Spectator 92
2010
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
314 cases produced
Block B has its usual graceful muscle with an incredible level of gorgeous Syrah fruit rounding out its chewy texture and an unmistakable earthiness. – Jordan Fiorentini, Winemaker
Scores: Jeb Dunnuck 98, Rhone Report 98, Wine Advocate 96+, International Wine Report 96, Wine Spectator 93, Vinous 91
2009
Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
100% Syrah
Aged for 23 months in 43% new French oak barrels and puncheons
182 cases produced
The 2009 Block B is all about minerality and texture. Not only is this wine made from grapes grown exclusively on one 6.5 acre parcel on the Paderewski Vineyard, it is actually a compilation of only the finest barrels made from many different harvest picks from this parcel. It’s super limited in production and always will be. Aromas evolve as air hits the glass – dried herbs, sage, dark chocolate, black cherry and ocean air on the nose lead to crushed limestone, black olives and bing cherry on the palate. Rich in texture and balanced by a line of nice acidity, this wine is a baby and will greatly benefit from cellaring – the longer you can wait the better. Estimated cellar age: 15+ years. – Jordan Fiorentini, Winemaker
Scores: Jeb Dunnuck 96, Rhone Report 96, Vinous 94, Wine Advocate 94, Wine Spectator 91
2008
Paderewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
100% Syrah | 100% Block B
Aged 22 months in 55% new French oak barrels
181 cases produced
Single variety, single vineyard, single block… absolutely epic. This wine is 100% Syrah from one intense and unique site on the Paderewski Vineyard – Block B. While blending, its intense and unique flavor profile screamed to be left alone to highlight the exact location on which it was grown. We did just that! The result shows an unique balance between ripe, delicious fruit, an intense minerality originating from our high limestone soils and delicate floral notes. Dark brambly berries, dried sage and bay leaf, violets and a hint of sea breeze play a role in Block B’s intricate aromas. Its palate is long and lush with a line of fresh acidity to balance its smooth black fruit and tannin. This wine is all about its texture, leaving the mouth watering for its next indulgent sip and worthy of 10+ years of cellar age.
Scores: Jeb Dunnuck 95, Rhone Report 95, Vinous 95, Wine Advocate 95, Wine Spectator 95
