Today I have the honor to host Epoch winemaker Jordan Fiorentini for Instagram Live at 4PM. I hope you can join!
Spend a little time with Jordan Fiorentini and you will be glad that you did. Cherry and full of joy for what she does, she is very serious about crafting wines that embody poise and richness. I have long admired Epoch wines based out of Paso Robles. Regardless of vintage, Epoch wines thrive in the warmest and coolest of vintages. I have been particularly impressed how they have navigated the run of very warm vintages which began in 2012 and has continued with their latest releases. The wines are obviously quite dense but have a good degree of tension and freshness. Their estate vineyards continue to produce wines that show outstanding complexity and there is very good reason why Phillipe Melka is making wine from them — they help create some of the finest wines in the region.
Superstar winemaker, Jordan Fiorentini continues a long run of great wines with the most recent set of releases. I adored the 2017 Epoch ‘Ingenuity’ Red Wine (OB, 95) which has amazing range and shows off the potential of Paso Robles Petite Sirah. Jordan crafts a sensational Rose wine and her 2019 Epoch Rose (OB, 92) is dialed in with mostly Mourvedre, showing a great feeling of weight as this is layered and highly complex wine. Learn more about these outstanding wines at epochwines.com. Here are the great new wines by Epoch.
2019 Epoch Rose- The 2019 Epoch Rose is a sensational effort that captures the art of blending. Mostly Mourvedre (62%) with smaller parts Grenache and Syrah, this shows wet stone and pretty red fruits with red rose petal and smoky undertones on the nose. The palate is beautifully textured with great length and tension, delivering guava, cranberry and red raspberry flavors alongside stony and earth undertones. Enjoy this sensational new Rose at a warmer temperature to get the full range of flavors and aromatics. Drink 2020-2025- 92
2019 Epoch ‘Estate’ White Wine- The 2019 ‘Estate’ blends mainly Grenache Blanc (47%) and Viognier (42%) with the remainder Roussanne. White peach, gooseberry, kiwi, orange blossom and wet stone tones all fill the nose. The palate is fresh and wonderful vibrant with a soft mouthfeel. Layers of nectarine and Pink Lady apple combine with wet stone, minerals and green papaya tones on the palate. Great to enjoy right now, this has some aging potential. Drink 2020-2025- 92
2017 Epoch ‘Ingenuity’ Red Wine- Always one of the unique blends of the region, in 2017 they have blended 56% Petite Sirah with16% Mourvèdre, 15% Syrah, and 13% Grenache. Inky and brooding once in the glass, this shows off wonderful blueberry cordial tones woven together with pipe tobacco, black currants and shades of dark chocolate shavings that all move in unison. The palate shows a sensational combination of verve and weight. Layers of black and blue fruits play well with the chocolate, Turkish coffee and earthy undertones of the wine. Downright killer to enjoy in its youth, this outstanding and novel red blend will cellar well over the next ten plus years. Drink 2020-2032- 95
2017 Epoch ‘Veracity’ Red Wine- The 2017 ‘Veracity’ is another outstanding new release by superstar winemaker Jordan Fiorentini. A Southern Rhone style blend of 47% Mourvèdre, 34% Grenache and 19% Syrah, this shows off heady aromas of red florals alongside red currants, cigar box and smoked meats. The palate shows a wonderful purity of red fruit, as the Grenache is clearly stealing the show here. Suggestions of blood orange zest and dark licorice mingle with creosote tones on this complex palate. The sense of finesse and mouthfeel add to the enjoyment. This is gorgeous wine to savor in its youth, as the 2017 ‘Veracity’ will cellar well for at least another decade. Drink 2020-2030- 95
2017 Epoch ‘Estate Blend’ Red Wine- The 2017 ‘Estate Blend’ by Epich combines 36% Syrah, 21% Grenache, 17% Mourvèdre, and 14% Tempranillo with smaller parts Zinfandel and Carignan. Aged for eighteen months in 40% new French oak, this shows sweet tobacco with roasted dates, blackberry pie and shades of chocolate covered espresso bean on this beautiful bouquet. The palate shows good freshness and tension with dense dark fruits that parade with violets, Turkish coffee and blueberry pie flavors, alongside a good veil of tension. Dense and delicious to savor right now, the 2017 ‘Estate Blend’ will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2020-2030- 93