Epoch Estate Wines Ingenuity Red Rhone Blend 2020

95 points - limited                                      Epoch Winery is a phenomenal new label from Paso Robles under winemaker Jordan Fiorentini - not to be missed while still available. 95 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "Based on 51% Petite Sirah, 25% Grenache, 22% Mourvèdre, and a tiny bit of Syrah, the 2020 Ingenuity spent 19 months in French oak barrels and puncheons. It's a fruit-loaded, opulent 2020 with more sex appeal and texture than just about every other wine in the vintage. Ripe red and blue fruits, spice, peppery herbs, and some chalky minerality (which always seems to be present in wines from this vineyard) define the aromas and flavors, and it's full-bodied, has a lush, rounded mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. Drink this beauty over the coming 7-8 years." 93 Points Robert Parker: "The 2020 Ingenuity is a blend of 51% Petite Sirah, 25% Grenache, 22% Mourvèdre and 2% Syrah that was matured for 19 months in 30% new French oak barrels and puncheons. It has bold aromas of wild berries, sage and floral hints, less expressive than its 2019 or 2021 counterparts. The full-bodied palate balances dense flavors with gently chewy tannins and rounded freshness, and it has a graphite-laced finish. Drink it over the next 3-5 years. 771 cases were made." ...Epoch is another top estate in Paso Robles that has seen incredible growth and change over the past decade. Now in a new facility on York Mountain, winemaker Jordan Fiorentini continues to experiment with new blends as well as different fermentation vessels, also using a touch more whole cluster at times. These are rich, textured, classic Paso Robles reds." 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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