Epoch Estate Wines Ingenuity Red Rhone Blend 2011

Epoch Winery is a phenomenal new label from Paso Robles.  Justin Smith of SAXUM is the winemaker - not to be missed while still available.95 Points Robert Parker:  "The 2011 Ingenuity is 55% Syrah, 17% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre and the balance Petite Sirah. Aged in barrels and puncheons, it offers a gorgeous, seamless, layered and full-bodied style to go with notes of black raspberry, chocolate, spice-box and hints of pepper. I love the overall purity here, and it’s incredibly silky and polished on the palate, with fine tannin. Enjoy this beauty over the coming 7-8 years...I was blown away by these 2011s from winemaker Jordan Fiorentini, and they showed uncommon depth and richness in the vintage. For the most part, they’re ready to go, yet should evolve gracefully. Moving on to the reds and starting with the 2011s, these showed beautifully from barrel, and didn’t disappoint from bottle. They’re up there with the creme de la creme of the vintage."The proprietors of Epoch, the Armstrong family, have overseen the rebirth of a historic vineyard once owned by the philanthropist and musician, Ignacy Jan Paderewski. This site was dedicated to Zinfandel in the early 1900s. Prohibition put an end to that, but that vineyard is now one of three estate vineyards comprising this 95-acre project. One part of Epoch is near Peachy Canyon, a big chunk of it sits next to the Booker Vineyard, and the rest is on York Mountain. The ambition of the Armstrongs is to produce 100% estate wines, and of the 95 acres, 60 are planted with southern Rhone varietals, and the rest with Tempranillo. Saxum’s Justin Smith, who serves as a consultant, told me that he thinks the micro-climate is slightly warmer than his James Berry vineyard. The first releases, which I tasted, are exceptional, so this looks to be a promising new venture.

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