For many years I have admired the wines by Jordan Fiorentini. She has a penchant for creating full-bodied wines that show beautiful finesse regardless of vintage. I as not surprised a few years back when Phillipe Melka began making wines from these esteemed vineyards of Epoch, one of the great wineries in Paso Robles. For many years Jordan has been at the Epoch helm, crafting wines that seem to defy the odds in terms of packing fruit weight and finesse into a Rhone style bottling even in the warmest of vintages.
I was massively impressed with the new wines that Jordan had crafted. She makes a downright killer Rose and her 2020 Epoch Rose (OB, 92) rivals anything in the region with great freshness and a silky texture. Even better is the gorgeous 2017 Epoch ‘Authenticity’ Red Wine (OB, 95) which is off the charts, complex wine that has some great cellaring potential but is also delightful to savor in its hedonistic youth. Learn more about these outstanding wines at epochwines.com. Here are the great new wines by Epoch.
2020 Epoch Rose- Very pretty rose water tones connect with guava, wet stone and strawberry on the palate. Fresh and vibrant with a beautiful sense of texture, this outstanding new wine will cellar well over the next five to seven years, picking up earthy tones as it progresses. Drink 2021-2027- 92
2020 Epoch White Wine- The 2020 Epoch White Wine is a scintillating and vibrant new bottling by the talented Jordan Fiorentini made from mostly Grenache Blanc and Viognier. Once on the nose this takes on ripe pear with starfruit and baking spices that all meld in the glass. Rich and viscous with bright acidity, enjoy over the next five to seven years. Drink 2021-2026- 92
2017 Epoch Temnpranillo- Sourced from the Padereski Vineyard, this 100% Tempranillo brings rich roasted figs with espresso bean, black currant jelly and tar flavors. Full-bodied and absolutely delicious to enjoy now, with light tannins keeping everything together, this outstanding wine will cellar well for another ten to twelve years. Drink 2021-2033- 94
2018 Epoch ‘Estate Blend’ Red Wine- The 2018 ‘Estate Blend’ is a rich and powerful bottling that delivers a punch early on. Needing an hour decant to fully be aroused, the wine shows off intense dark fruit flavors that mingle with dark chocolate shavings, scorched earth and lighter garrigue tones on the palate. Enjoy over the next decade. Drink 2021-2031- 93
2018 Epoch ‘Sensibility’ Red Wine- A blend of nearly all Grenache (95%) with just a touch of Syrah, the 2018 ‘Sensibility’ shows the potential for Grenache in the Willow Creek District. Beyond the massive wall of hedonistic red and dark fruits you see lighter red florals and herbal undertones, with shades of wet stone, blood orange zest and gobs of mouth-watering acidity that complete this gorgeous new wine. The exceedingly long finish and beautiful sense of verve really add to the enjoyment here. Drink 2021-2033- 95
2018 Epoch ‘Veracity’ Red Wine- The 2018 ‘Veracity’ blends s mostly Mourvedre (48%) and Grenache (39%) with the remainder Mourvedre. Intense Asian spices combine with black currants, mocha and black licorice tones on the nose. Dense and plush, with a gorgeous sense of texture, the 2018 ‘Veracity’ is a polished, beautifully structured and hedonistic bottling that will cellar well over the next fifteen years. Drink 2021-2035- 95
2017 Epoch ‘Authenticity’ Red Wine- The 2017 ‘Authenticity’ is a blend of mostly Syrah (92%) with small portions Mourvedre and a splash of Viognier. Full-bodied and intense, this shows off tar, tobacco leaf, white pepper dusted BBQ beef ribs and beautiful freshness on the palate. Finishing very long, this outstanding new bottling will cellar well for at least another decade. Drink 2021-2036- 95
2017 Epoch ‘Block B’ Syrah- Dense and heady, the 2017 ‘Block B’ Syrah shows some good cellaring potential considering its concentration and bright acidity. It is full-throttle and intense with gorgeous black fruits and black florals that collide with smoked brisket, tar and lighter herbal undertones. Great to enjoy now at the four year mark, this has at least another decade of life in front of it. Drink 2021-2035- 95