2010 Epoch Estate Blend
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As with the 2011, the 2010 Estate Blend is a perfect introduction into the wines of the estate and will compete with a number of other producer’s top wine. A blend of 56% Syrah, 26% Grenache, 11% Mourvedre and 7% Tempranillo, it has loads of chocolaty black fruits, licorice, tar, pepper and chalky minerality to go with a great palate. Textured, rich and drinking well beyond most estate’s entry-level offering, with serious depth and focus, it will continue to impress for 5-7 years. Drink now-2018. An estate that continues to go from strength to strength, Epoch is owned by Bill and Liz Armstrong, with the wines made by Jordan Fiorentini. All of their wines come from their estate Paderewski Vineyard, and both their 2010s and 2011s are incredibly strong, with the edge going to the 2010s at the moment. You can’t go wrong here, though, and these are serious, top-flight wines. Tel. (805) 237-2011; www.epochwines.com
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2010 Estate Blend impresses for its bright, focused aromas and flavors. Dark raspberry, menthol, floral and spice notes all open up as the wine sits in the glass. In 2011, the Estate blend is equal parts fruit from Catapult and Paderewski. The blend is 56% Syrah, 26% Grenache, 11% Mourvedre and 7% Tempranillo.
(56% syrah, 26% grenache, 11% mourvedre and 7% tempranillo; 16.1% alcohol): Inky purple. Spice-accented cherry and dark berry aromas are complicated by black tea, licorice and potpourri. Juicy, incisive blackberry and boysenberry flavors are braced by zesty acidity and pick up a touch of candied violet with air. Oak spice and floral notes emerge on the sweet, focused, gently tannic finish. For a rich, ripe wine this is pretty suave.
Epoch's 2010 Estate Blend possesses gorgeous inner tension and energy. Dark fruit, licorice and spices flow through to the imposing finish. The Estate Blend is one of the entry-level wines at Epoch, but it has all of the qualitites of the higher-end bottlings, and costs less. This is a great introduction to the Epoch house style. The blend is 56% Syrah, 26% Grenache, 11% Mourvèdre and 7% Tempranillo.