Epoch Ingenuity Red Blend 2018
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Jeb
Dunnuck - Vinous
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Robert
Parker -
Wine
Enthusiast
Product Details
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Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Syrah leads this luscious blend of Grenache and Mourvèdre to play nicely with its signature dash of Petite Sirah. Though the majority of its fruit comes from both Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards, the Petite Sirah hails solely from one west-facing limestone area on our Paderewski Vineyard.
Blend: 36% Petite Sirah, 30% Syrah, 22% Mourvèdre, 12% Grenache
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Lots of blue fruits, ground pepper, candied violets, and chalky minerality emerge from the 2018 Ingenuity, a pure, medium to full-bodied, seamless beauty with fine tannins and no hard edges. Like all Jordan's 2018s, it holds onto a terrific sense of freshness and elegance. The blend is 36% Petite Sirah, 30% Syrah, 22% Mourvèdre, and the rest Grenache, and comes mostly from the estate Paderewski Vineyard.
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Vinous
Glass-staining ruby. Dark berry preserves, fruitcake, toasty oak, espresso and a hint of vanilla on the expansive nose. Stains the palate with ripe black and blue fruit, mocha, candied licorice and floral pastille flavors, while black pepper and smoky mineral notes add cut and back-end lift. Deeply concentrated but lively as well, thanks to a spine of juicy acidity. Finishes on a youthfully tannic note, with strong, spicy persistence.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 Ingenuity is a blend of 36% Petite Sirah, 30% Syrah, 22% Mourvèdre and 12% Grenache, aged 19 months in 52% new French oak. Opaque in color, it explodes with gregarious blackberry and black cherry jam underpinned by dark, savory spices and wafts of purple flowers. The palate is full-bodied and firm, with loads of lush, spicy dark fruits and just enough juicy acidity to highlight the floral perfume on the long finish.
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Wine Enthusiast
Rustic aromas of herb, tar and tart berry show on the nose of this blend of 36% Petite Sirah, 30% Syrah, 22% Mourvèdre and 12% Grenache. Elderberry and black currant provide more ripe qualities to the palate, where chalky tannins lead into a finish awash in dried oregano and thyme. There, the elements will grow more compelling with time.
Other Vintages
2017-
Jeb
Dunnuck -
Robert
Parker
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Robert
Parker -
Jeb
Dunnuck
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Jeb
Dunnuck -
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Robert
Parker
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Robert
Parker -
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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 bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Growing on high elevation bedrock slopes, the vineyards of Paso Robles Willow Creek AVA sit at between 960 and 1,900 feet in elevation.