Authenticity
2010 Authenticity
76% Syrah | 24% Mourvedre
Rhone Report 95-97 pts (barrel sample)
Shifted slightly more towards the Syrah side in 2010, the Authenticity Paderewski Vineyard is 76% Syrah and 24% Mourvedre 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 over the following 2 decades. -JD
2009 Authenticity
64% Mourvedre | 36% Syrah
Wine Advocate 94 – 96 pts (barrel sample)
The 2009 Authenticity (64% Syrah, 36% Mourvedre) shows a slightly brighter profile than the Ingenuity owing in part to the greater use of whole clusters. This opens up beautifully in the glass, with layers of expressive dark fruit, nicely integrated oak and fabulous length. The finish turns powerful and somewhat brooding. It will be interesting to see the direction this wine ultimately takes. Authenticity spent 22 months in French barrels, 45% new. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019. –AG
Wine Spectator 91pts
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. 453 cases made. –JL
Rhone Report 96+ pts
Showing even better from bottle than barrel, the 2009 Authenticity checks in as a blend of 64% Syrah and 36% Mourvedre 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. -JD
International Wine Cellar 93 pts
(64% syrah and 36% mourvedre; 16% alcohol): Opaque purple. Intense, floral-accented aromas of dark berry preserves, Indian spices and cola, with a suave touch of vanilla gaining power with air. Lush and expansive but surprisingly energetic, offering pliant blackberry and boysenberry flavors with no rough edges, The floral quality dominates the very long, sappy, spicy finish. Definitely a big boy but very nicely balanced. -ST
2008 Authenticity
100% Syrah
Wine Advocate 95 pts
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. -AG
Wine Spectator 95 pts
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. –JL
Rhone Report 94 pts
All Syrah (compared to a 60/40 split of Mourvedre 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. –JD
International Wine Cellar 91 pts
($55; 100% syrah) Glass-staining purple. Red and dark berries and Indian spices on the nose, with exotic potpourri and lively mineral accents. Nervy and precise, with impressive depth to its raspberry and boysenberry flavors. Becomes tighter with air and finishes with serious grip and spicy thrust. This could use a bit more bottle age but looks very promising. -ST
2007 Authenticity
88% Syrah |12% Mourvedre
Wine Advocate 94 pts
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% Mourvedre. 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. -RP
Wine Spectator 92 pts
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. –JL
Rhone Report 94 pts
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. -JD
International Wine Cellar 91 pts
($60; 88% syrah and 12% mourvedre) 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. -ST
