About the Wine

*** Pre-Arrival Item: ETA 20 Nov***

Meet the dynamic duo, geologists Bill and Liz Armstrong, who turned their passion for science and adventure into a quest for the perfect vineyard land.

In 2004, Bill and Liz Armstrong discovered the Paderewski Vineyard, a hidden gem nestled between Paso Robles and the Pacific Ocean, a piece of land once owned by the iconic Polish pianist and Prime Minister, Ignacy Jan Paderewski. With its unique soils, hilliness, and extreme temperature swings, it was love at first sight. Today, Paderewski Vineyard stands as a testament to their dedication to preserving history and crafting world-class wines.

Andrew York, a true pioneer, established Ascension Winery in Templeton in the late 1800s. Over the years, the winery changed hands, and faced name changes, but never lost its spirit. In 1970, the Goldman family took over, and the winery operated continuously until the late 1990s when it faced foreclosure. The Armstrong’s stepped in, purchasing the property in 2010 and breathing new life into York Mountain. After years of meticulous renovation, the historic winery was reborn as the Epoch Estate Wines Tasting Room in 2016.

Crafted by the talented winemaker, Jordan Fiorentini, this wine is a harmonious blend of Paso Robles terroir and legacy. It's a blend of flavors and stories that come full circle, just like the journey of Epoch Estate Wines.

Jordan is a passionate and dedicated artist, crafting each bottle of Epoch wine to perfection. With a sharp engineering degree from Dartmouth College and a master's in viticulture from UC Davis, she has both the brains and the skills. Jordan has honed her skills at her family's winery in Georgia, Araujo Estate in Napa Valley, Antinori Winery in Italy, and most recently, as the head winemaker at Chalk Hill in Sonoma. 

Aging: 19 months in French oak barrels (48% new)

Tasting Notes: 53% Syrah, 26% Mourvèdre, 13% Grenache, 5% Tempranillo and 3% Zinfandel. The savory, the floral and the fruity all unite in our five-varietal Estate Blend that speaks to all of Epoch’s wine practices. This focused and seamless expression of our terroir shoots across the palate with notes of raw and smoked meats, black olives, roasted herbs, cherry, cassis, anise, lavender and vanilla dust.

Reviews

Concentrated black cherry, elderberry, and blackberry meet with crushed dark chocolate, mint, and pencil shavings on the nose of this blend of 53% Syrah, 26% Mourvèdre, 13% Grenache, 5% Tempranillo and 3% Zinfandel. The hefty palate combines flavors of dark fruits with nutmeg and clove elements, framed by chalky tannins and subtle but persistent acidity. ~96 Wine Enthusiast

What used to be the entry-level effort of the estate, the 2015 Estate Blend is year in, and year out at an incredible quality level that it’s hard to think of the wine in those terms. The 2015 is 52% Syrah, 26% Mourvèdre, 13% Grenache, and the rest Tempranillo and Zinfandel, all from the Paderewski and Catapult vineyards on the west side of Paso Robles. It offers a terrific bouquet of black plums, ground pepper, charred meats and charcoal. Full-bodied, smoky, meaty, and rich, it stays light and graceful on the palate, with sweet tannins. ~95 Jeb Dunnuck

(fermented in a combination of concrete, stainless steel and upright oak casks and aged for 19 months in French oak barrels of varying size, 48% of them new) Inky purple. Cassis, dark chocolate, licorice, and espresso qualities on the deeply perfumed nose. Round and weighty on the palate, offering sweet dark fruit liqueur, mocha and cola flavors complicated by building floral and spice nuances. Shows impressive energy and lively cut for its brawn, and finishes very long and chewy, with building tannins and a strong whiplash of dark berry fruit. ~94 Vinous Media

Epoch's entry-level red, the 2015 Estate Blend reveals aromas of ripe blackberries, currant leaf, cracked black pepper, and subtle grilled meat. On the palate, it's full-bodied, deep, and concentrated, with a multidimensional mid-palate, good energy, and a savory finish. ~93 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 

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