2008 Vintage
2008 Epoch Red
33% Syrah, 27% Tempranillo, 18% Grenache, 14% Petite Sirah, 8% Mourvedre
Fermented in neutral puncheons and stainless steel drums.
Bottle Date: March, 2011 / Release Date: May, 2011
A true field blend, this wine is approachable on every level.
This wine is a true field blend of the various varieties planted on our Paderewski Vineyard. Approachable and soft with flavors of black raspberry, eucalyptus, sweet hay, black olive and a hint of brown spice, the 2008 Epoch Red exhibits a mouth-coating silky texture. There are no hard edges to this wine, just pure, delicious fruit. Drink now or with up to 5 years of cellar age. 183 cases produced. (Not reviewed)
2008 Zinfandel
100% Zinfandel
Aged 12 months in barrel with 60% new French oak
Bottle Date: September, 2009 / Release Date: January, 2011
An elegant Zinfandel with roots in history.
Paying homage to the first Zinfandel vines planted by Ignacy Jan Paderewski on our Paderewski Vineyard, Epoch’s 2008 Zinfandel is intensely aromatic, rich, bold and luxurious. Aromas of sun-drenched bay leaves, concentrated huckleberries, and brown spice lead to a supple yet mouth-watering palate loaded with explosive blueberry fruit, tangerine, fresh lavender and clove. Drink now or with 5-10 years of cellar age. 114 cases produced. WS 91pts; IWC 91pts
2008 Tempranillo
100% Tempranillo
Aged 22 months in barrel with 100% new French oak
Bottle Date: September, 2010 / Release Date: Spring, 2011
Tempranillo … West Paso style!
The 2008 Tempranillo is our second vintage of this exciting and very different variety; we produced a small quantity in 2007. We harvested in several different picks to select only the fruit with the softest and ripest tannins. The warm growing season of 2008 allowed our Tempranillo’s tannins to achieve high levels of ripeness and suppleness, creating a wine that’s enjoyable young but sure to age for several years. Aromas are both savory and sweet – smoked meat, tobacco, brown sugar spices, red plum and leather – echoed by a rich, broad palate whose flavors mirror its aromas. Firm with structure but yet surprisingly soft for a Tempranillo, this wine is sure to strike you as deliciously different! Drink now or with 5-10 years cellar age. 322 cases produced. WA 93pts; RR 93pts; IWC 90pts
2008 Authenticity
100% Syrah
Aged 22 months in French oak barrels with 50% new French oak
Bottle Date: September, 2010 / Release Date: Spring, 2011
A varietal blend true to the power and intensity of the Northern Rhone.
One of our varietal Rhone wines, Authenticity is a Syrah-based blend showing the power, structure and elegance of Northern Rhone 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. 242 cases produced. WA 95pts; WS 95pts; RR 94pts; IWC 91pts
2008 Ingenuity
61% Syrah, 17% Grenache, 14% Petite Sirah, 8% Mourvedre
Aged 22 months in barrel with 32% new French oak
Bottle Date: September, 2010 / Release Date: Spring, 2011
Already a classic, this "California blend" combines Rhone varieties with Petit Sirah. Ingenuity is our unique blend of the various Rhone varieties planted on our estate along with Petite Sirah. The Grenache offers bright forward fruit and exuberance, while the Syrah and Petite Sirah contribute more serious structural elements. Drink now or with 5-10 years cellar age. 415 cases produced. WA 93pts; WS 95pts; RR 95pts
2008 Block B
100% Syrah, 100% Block B
Aged 22 months in barrel with 55% new French oak
Bottle Date: September, 2010 / Release Date: Spring, 2011
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. 181 cases produced. WA 95pts; WS 95pts; RR 95pts; IWC 91pts
