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Epoch 2016 'Block B" Padrewski Vineyard, Paso Robles
4852995588178
$ 94.99
98 points
Epoch Winery is a phenomenal new label from Paso Robles. Limited.
98 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "Coming all from a single parcel in the estate Paderewski Vineyard (all Syrah, and clone 174) and raised in 80% new French oak, the 2016 Syrah Block B reveals a saturated purple color as well as a massive bouquet of blackberries, blueberries, bacon fat, graphite, ground pepper, and violets. Deep, rich, and powerful, yet still light on its feet, it's one of the most singular, brilliant Syrahs in the vintage.
97 Points Antonio Galloni: "Youthful purple color. Expansive, deeply perfumed aromas of black and blue fruit preserves, licorice, Moroccan spices, olive paste and potpourri, along with a building suggestion of incense. Stains the palate with densely packed blueberry, cherry-cola, cassis and spicecake flavors that become more energetic as the wine opens up. A violet pastille nuance gains strength with aeration and carries through an extremely long, mineral-accented finish that shows outstanding definition and spicy thrust. (20% whole clusters and 80% new French oak)."
95 Points Robert Parker: "The 100% Syrah 2016 Block B was made with 20% whole cluster and aged 19 months in 80% new French oak. It has a medium to deep ruby-purple color and offers gregarious cassis, olives, fresh violets, cracked peppercorn, bacon fat and chocolate mint with notes of loamy earth, blueberry preserves and red berry sparks. The palate is full-bodied, firm and layered with expertly detailed tannins and juicy freshness to lift the long, dense finish. What a beauty! 438 cases were made.
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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An amazing value from the South of France - hurry!
95 Points Decanter: "60% Syrah, 40% Grenache. Lovely rich opulent and floral, black berry and plum nose, the palate is big with well layered fruit, attractively firm but soft tannin and hints of oak, a big wine with a lovely finish. *Gold Medal Winner Decanter Asia Wine Awards.*
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From the D.O. of Montsant in Cataluña. The appellation and its 2,000 hectares of vineyard were designated in 2001 to highlight the superior quality of the region. Montsant actually wraps around the celebrated Priorat. While the soils generally contain less schist than Priorat, the measure of quality in the wines is perhaps more importantly enabled by their old vine status, highly calcareous parcels, and variety of mesoclimates, which are generally cooler than in Priorat.
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