2009 Epoch Ingenuity

A full-bodied, fleshy wine, the 2009 Ingenuity boasts loads of dark fruit, licorice, spices and new French oak, all of which come together in an expression of the Paderewski vineyard that is exciting and intense from start to finish. I especially like the way the 2009 fills out in all directions. Layers of black fruit, smoke and game saturate the palate in this large-scaled, opulent wine. Ingenuity is 65% Syrah, 12% Petite Sirah, 12% Mourvèdre, 7% Grenache and 4% Zinfandel.

A full-bodied, fleshy wine, the 2009 Ingenuity boasts loads of dark fruit, licorice, spices and new French oak, all of which come together in an expression of the Paderewski vineyard that is exciting and intense from start to finish. I especially like the way the 2009 fills out in all directions. Layers of black fruit, smoke and game saturate the palate in this large-scaled, opulent wine. Ingenuity is 65% Syrah, 12% Petite Sirah, 12% Mourvedre, 7% Grenache and 4% Zinfandel. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016. Epoch is one of the up and coming estates in Paso Robles. I tasted every wine made at Epoch since inception over the several hours I spent at the winery in June. Winemaker Jordan Fiorentini is trying to give each of the Epoch wines a clearer identity, something that has been missing in previous vintages, but that isn’t all that surprising given the very young age of the estate’s vineyards. With each passing year the wines are stronger. It seems quite obvious the best is yet to come. I tasted the 2010 Estate White, Veracity, Sensibility, Zinfandel and Estate Blend from bottle, and the rest of the 2010 reds in their final blends, from barrel. All of these wines are made from Epoch’s Paderweski Vineyard, which also supplies fruit to a small number of other artisan producers. Tel (805) 237-2011

A blend of 65% Syrah, 12% Petite Sirah, 12% Mourvedre, 7% Grenache, and 4% Zinfandel, the 2009 Epoch Estate Wines Ingenuity Paderewski Vineyard is utterly captivating stuff. Possessing an inky purple color, it exhibits a complex, decadent array of smoky black fruits, underbrush, bramble, charred beef, and chocolate to go with a full-bodied, hedonistic palate that manages to exude fruit and texture, while at the same time holding on to a sense of elegance, poise, and class. This brilliant blend has solid concentration, ripe tannin, and a very well done, classically styled, and tannic finish. It needs plenty of air to show at its best, and should age effortlessly for 10-12 years.