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PRODUCER PROFILE:
Terre Rouge and Easton Wines is located in California on the West Slope of the Sierra Nevada in Amador County’s Shenandoah Valley. An artisan winery established in 1986, by Jane O’Riordan and winemaker Bill Easton, Terre Rouge and Easton Wines makes over 30 different wines–most of them very small lots of 100-400 cases.
“Terre Rouge” means “Red Earth”. This vermillion-colored soil is one of the hallmarks of the region. The vineyards are in soils that are largely granite and volcanic-based. The “Terre Rouge” portfolio is composed of wines made from Rhône varietals grown in the rugged and varying terroirs of this region: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Viognier, Roussanne, and Marsanne. High elevation sites up to 3,200 ft. contribute to the complexity of their wines.
Winemaker, Bill Easton, puts his family name, “Easton”, on the non-Rhône varietal wines. The wines are crafted from varietals that have traditionally worked best in Amador County and the Sierra Foothills: ancient and old-vine Zinfandel, Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc. Also under the “Easton” label are small selections of varietals new to the Sierra Foothills: Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc.
The style of their red wines emphasizes deep color, balanced flavors, full middle palate, and a long finish, with power and finesse. They gain complexity with age. The whites are aromatic, flavorful with nice texture, and balanced with good acidity. They show an amazing mineral sense that is derived from their stony mountain soils.
No matter which of Terre Rouge and Easton Wines’ 30+ wines, each is unique and site-specific with a sense of place (terroir) all their own. Their goal for the last 25 years has always been to make the finest wines possible that can be placed on the table alongside the best wines of the world.
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LEARN MORE:
Wine Spectator Editor’s Notebook –
Easton Zinfandel: A Taste of Place
by Tim Fish, February 28, 2019
“I’ve been a sap for Zinfandel since I moved to Sonoma County 30 years ago. It fits all my parameters: The price is fair, it’s grown for miles around me, and it’s the “real thing,” California’s historic and signature grape. A wine I tasted this past year epitomized all of that for me: Easton Zinfandel Amador County 2015 (92 points, $22). Vibrant and sleek, yet plump with dense, ripe fruit, the wine offers briary black raspberry, smoked pepper and wild sweet anise flavors that stretch out on a zesty finish. What’s more, it features lively acidity that keeps it snappy and light on its feet.”
Read the full article:
Wine Spectator – Easton_Zin_A_Taste_of_Place_by Tim_Fish
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