2009 Epoch Red

The 2009 Estate Blend is laced with vibrant dark fruit, crushed flowers and spices. It is one of the more accessible of the estate’s 2009s and flat-out delicious, even today. In 2009, the blend is 60% Syrah, 19% Grenache, 9% Tempranillo, 8% Zinfandel and 4% Mourvedre. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2015. Epoch is one of the up and coming estates in Paso Robles. I tasted every wine made at Epoch since inception over the several hours I spent at the winery in June. Winemaker Jordan Fiorentini is trying to give each of the Epoch wines a clearer identity, something that has been missing in previous vintages, but that isn’t all that surprising given the very young age of the estate’s vineyards. With each passing year the wines are stronger. It seems quite obvious the best is yet to come. I tasted the 2010 Estate White, Veracity, Sensibility, Zinfandel and Estate Blend from bottle, and the rest of the 2010 reds in their final blends, from barrel. All of these wines are made from Epoch’s Paderweski Vineyard, which also supplies fruit to a small number of other artisan producers. Tel (805) 237-2011

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.

(60% syrah, 19% grenache, 9% tempranillo, 8% zinfandel and 4% mourvedre): 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.