2011 Epoch, Estate Blend, Proprietary Red, Paso Robles.
Epoch (Pronounced “Epic”) Wines is a recently established star in the California wine scene and these unique cuvees are some of the most compelling and alluring all California wines out there, made by one of the best young winemaking teams headed by Jordan Fiorentini and consultant Justin Smith of Saxum fame, you must give credit to owners Bill and Liz Armstrong, they’ve spared no expense and put total faith and belief in their terroir, vision and style and it has paid off. The 2011 Estate Blend is made of 37% Syrah, 28% Grenache, 19% Mourvédre,10% Tempranillo and 6% Counoise coming from Epoch historic Paderewski Vineyard and their newest site Catapult Vineyard, it was raised in concrete, stainless and bins, aged about a year and a half in French oak, half new, and bottled unfined and unfiltered, without question this has to be considered one of the 2011’s vintage most successful wines, especially in its price class. The Estate Blend is an energy filled expression of westside Paso, it has wonderful full flavors, elegantly refined tannins and structure and focus with lush fruit, spice, texture and depth all unfolding with style and charm, it has elements that remind me of Linne Calodo, Saxum, Torrin, Law Estates and Booker some of the heroic wines of the region, and Tablas Creek one of the pioneers of Westside Paso Robles which is seeing some of the most innovative wines in the state. If you were going in search of a great 2011 wine, Epoch would have to be at the top of your list, it is truly epic and terrific, it arts with black fruits, pepper, violets and spring flowers, almost like a Chateauneuf du Pape, it has a lavish palate of boysenberry, baked cherry, blueberry compote, raspberry and plum fruits with vanilla spice, white pepper, lavender oil, black licorice, soy/balsamic notes, crushed stones, chalk dust, game and saline, making for a incredible pleasing experience and a darkly rich wine that is full and loaded with glorious texture and life. The new Epoch Estate Blend is an over achiever and one very sexy red, drink now and for the next 5 to 7 years.
($40 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive
