2019 Epoch Estate Blend

The 2019 Estate Blend is comprised of 51% Syrah, 17% Mourvèdre, 14% Grenache, 7% Tempranillo, 6% Graciano, 3% Carignan and 2% Zinfandel, matured for 19 months in 31% new French oak. Opaque ruby-purple, tones of tar, cigar ash and graphite give way over time to blackberry, blueberry and boysenberry preserves, prosciutto and violet. Full-bodied, ripe and concentrated, it offers pixelated tannins, seamless acidity and a youthfully coiled finish. It deserves 3-5+ years in the cellar to unwind. 1,729 cases produced.

The 2019 Estate Blend checks in as 51% Syrah, 17% Mourvèdre, 14% Grenache, 7% Tempranillo, and the rest Graciano, Carignan, and Zinfandel. It has a beautiful bouquet of ripe blue fruits as well as ground pepper, violets, and sappy herbs. Medium to full-bodied, it offers a terrific sense of elegance, ripe tannins, and a seamless, compelling mouthfeel that makes it a joy to drink. Count me in as a big fan. It should evolve nicely for at least 7-8 years, although there's no need to delay gratification. I was able to taste three vintages from winemaker Jordan Fiorentini. Looking first at the 2019s, these are classic, rich, powerful wines that have tons of character and, if anything, are a step up over the 2018s. While still in barrel, I was pretty much blown away by Jordan’s 2020s, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see these end up being some of the wines of the vintage. While there are many subtly smoke tainted wines in this challenging vintage, I found these 2020s to be smoke-free and beautifully balanced. The 2021s appear to be a step up, and while they have classic Paso Robles richness and depth, they shine for their purity and elegance.