96pts Wine Enthusiast

Quite dense in the glass, this blend of 40% Syrah, 24% Mourvèdre, 12% Grenache, 9% Graciano, 8% Tempranillo and 7% Carignan shows concentrated aromas of blackberry, black pepper and uplifting violet on the nose. The palate is wrapped in creamy, fluffy tannins that present comforting flavors of berry and spice. A leathery grip extends through the long finish.

95pts Jeb Dunnuck

Blackberries, blueberries, ground pepper, violets, spring flowers, and graphite notes all emerge from the 2021 Estate Blend, a blend of 40% Syrah, 24% Mourvèdre, 12% Grenache, and the rest Graciano, Tempranillo, and Carignan. Pure, medium to full-bodied, and incredibly pure, it's going to drink nicely for at least a decade.

95pts Wine Advocate

The 2021 Estate Blend comes mostly from the Paderewski Vineyard, with smaller portions from the York Mountain Vineyard and Catapult Vineyard. It's a blend of 40% Syrah, 24% Mourvèdre, 12% Grenache, 9% Graciano, 8% Tempranillo and 7% Carignan matured for 18 months in 28% new French oak barrels and puncheons. It has layered scents of blueberry, blackcurrant, grilled meats, oolong tea leaves and lavender. The full-bodied palate is structured with grainy tannins and fireworks of fresh acidity, and dynamic flavors on the long finish compel you to take another sip.

94pts Wine Spectator

This complex red is a little shy at the onset but slowly reveals itself. Leans into its savory side first, offering subtle heliotrope, bay leaf and anise notes that meld with a generous and pure core of olallieberry and black plum. This swells with intensity, unlocking additional layers of gravel and coffee bean that form around well-structured tannins and linger. Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache, Graciano, Tempranillo and Carignan. Drink now through 2036.

93pts James Suckling

Deeply perfumed and powerful nose showing aromas of blackberry compote, tar, potpourri and tobacco leaves. The palate is full-bodied with firm yet integrated tannins and bright acidity, showing notes of blackcurrants, poached blood plums, violets and sweet spices.

Winemaker Notes

Weighing more heavily on the savory, saline, and brine elements at first, the aromas start to evolve as this wine opens like a large hardback novel with the pages fanning out. Kalamata olives, leather, wet forest floor, and roasted game open to pure blackberry, black plum, tobacco, bay leaf, vanilla, anise, and graphite. Powerful structure juts out in all directions as the wine fills the mouth with abundant texture and spice. Keep this bottle open for several days and witness how long it continues to offer different perspectives and textures – a true harbinger of the age-worthiness of this wine.

Blend: 40% Syrah, 24% Mourvèdre, 12% Grenache, 9% Graciano, 8% Tempranillo, 7% Carignan

About the Winery

Founded in 2004 by geologists, Bill and Liz Armstrong, Epoch has quickly developed a big reputation for handcrafted, small-production wines with abundant personalities. Under the careful care of Winemaker, Jordan Fiorentini, Epoch is committed to producing world-class wines from Rhône, Zinfandel, and Tempranillo varieties grown on their three west Paso Robles vineyards – Paderewski, Catapult, and York Mountain. Epoch’s Tasting Room and Winery are located on the storied York Mountain which was once home to the first bonded winery on the central coast. Preserving the rich history found on this property as well as Paderewski Vineyard, a sight once owned and cherished by the late Polish Prime Minister and pianist, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, Epoch strives to carry on these legacies through their wines and the unique Epoch experience.
Through carefully managed, non-invasive farming, Epoch aims to bring the complex character of their vineyards into each bottle of wine they craft. All of Epoch's fruit comes from their three specific and unique sites: Paderewski, Catapult, and York Mountain Vineyards.