The 2007 Veracity, a blend of 48% Grenache, 39% Mourvedre, and the rest Syrah, is a sexy style of wine with a beautiful nose of kirsch, black currant, lavender, and sweet earth. A healthy dark ruby color, the wine is succulent, fleshy, full-bodied, and totally charming. It is impossible to resist, yet it should drink well for another 5-6 years. The proprietors of Epoch, the Armstrong family, have overseen the rebirth of a historic vineyard once owned by the philanthropist and musician, Ignacy Jan Paderewski. This site was dedicated to Zinfandel in the early 1900s. Prohibition put an end to that, but that vineyard is now one of three estate vineyards comprising this 95-acre project. One part of Epoch is near Peachy Canyon, a big chunk of it sits next to the Booker Vineyard, and the rest is on York Mountain. The ambition of the Armstrongs is to produce 100% estate wines, and of the 95 acres, 60 are planted with southern Rhone varietals, and the rest with Tempranillo. Saxum’s Justin Smith, who serves as a consultant, told me that he thinks the micro-climate is slightly warmer than his James Berry vineyard. The first releases, which I tasted, are exceptional, so this looks to be a promising new venture. Of course, it has been launched under economically challenging conditions, but the quality of these wines should triumph over our recessionary times.www.epochwines.com

Shows off ripe, juicy huckleberry and boysenberry fruit that’s pure, complex and balanced, gaining depth and nuance. Firms on the finish, which is long and persistent. Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah. Drink now through 2016. – (James Laube)