Epoch Estate Red Blend 2018
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Wine
Enthusiast -
Robert
Parker -
Jeb
Dunnuck -
James
Suckling
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Blend: 47% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre, 18% Grenache, 12% Tempranillo, 3% Graciano
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This blend of 47% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre, 18% Grenache, 12% Tempranillo and 3% Graciano offers brooding aromas of black plum, blackberry, violet and wood spice. Silky yet firm tannins frame the endlessly pleasurable palate, where roasted berry and plum flavors weave into mocha and chai spices. Drink through 2038.
Cellar Selection -
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 Estate Blend comes from all three of Epoch's estate vineyards and is a blend of 47% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre, 18% Grenache, 12% Tempranillo and 3% Graciano, aged 19 months in 50% new French oak barrels and puncheons. It has a deep ruby-purple color and gregarious aromas of blackberry and blueberry jam, with accents of milk chocolate and pie spice. The palate is medium-bodied with an abundance of grainy tannins, seamless freshness and a very long, flavorful finish. This is ready and open to drink!
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Jeb Dunnuck
A blend of 47% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre, 18% Grenache, and the rest Tempranillo and Graciano, the 2018 Estate Blend has a full-bodied, round, lush, beautiful profile as well as ample darker berry fruits and spicy, violet-like aromatics. Aged 19 months in 50% new barrels, drink it over the coming 7-8 years or so.
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James Suckling
Attractive fruit, showing some dark-berry and mushroom character. Medium-to full-bodied with firm tannins and a juicy finish. 36% petite sirah, 30% syrah, 22% mourvedre, and 12% grenache. Needs a year or two to open. Drink after 2024.
Other Vintages
2019-
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Enthusiast -
Jeb
Dunnuck -
James
Suckling
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Wine
Enthusiast -
Jeb
Dunnuck -
Robert
Parker
-
Wine
Enthusiast -
Jeb
Dunnuck -
Robert
Parker
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Jeb
Dunnuck -
Wine
Enthusiast -
Robert
Parker
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Wine
Enthusiast -
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator
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.
PADEREWSKI VINEYARD: Travel just west of Paso Robles, and you will find Paderewski Vineyard: 67 acres of undulating, steep, limestone rich hillsides within 570 rural, spring-fed acres.
CATAPULT VINEYARD: Directly in the heart of the Paso Robles’ Templeton Gap, near the acclaimed L’Aventure and Booker Vineyards, sits Catapult Vineyard.
YORK MOUNTAIN: Located just seven miles from the Pacific Ocean at an elevation of 1,500 feet, this property falls in the small 640 acre York Mountain AVA, which is outside of the very large Paso Robles AVA.
With hundreds of red grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended red wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged resulting in a wide variety of red wine styles. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a red wine blend variety that creates a fruity and full-bodied wine would do well combined with one that is naturally high in acidity and tannins. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
How to Serve Red Wine
A common piece of advice is to serve red wine at “room temperature,” but this suggestion is imprecise. After all, room temperature in January is likely to be quite different than in August, even considering the possible effect of central heating and air conditioning systems. The proper temperature to aim for is 55° F to 60° F for lighter-bodied reds and 60° F to 65° F for fuller-bodied wines.
How Long Does Red Wine Last?
Once opened and re-corked, a bottle stored in a cool, dark environment (like your fridge) will stay fresh and nicely drinkable for a day or two. There are products available that can extend that period by a couple of days. As for unopened bottles, optimal storage means keeping them on their sides in a moderately humid environment at about 57° F. Red wines stored in this manner will stay good – and possibly improve – for anywhere from one year to multiple decades. Assessing how long to hold on to a bottle is a complicated science. If you are planning long-term storage of your reds, seek the advice of a wine professional.
Growing on high elevation bedrock slopes, the vineyards of Paso Robles Willow Creek AVA sit at between 960 and 1,900 feet in elevation.