I have had a soft spot in my heart for Bill Easton since the days when he ran one of my favvorite wine stores in Berkeley. For the past 15 years, he's been making wine in Amador County under the Easton and (Domaine de la) Terre Rouge labels. Tonight, with BBQ ribs, we opened a bottle of his Rouge that we purchsed on our first trip to Amador some years ago now.
1997 Terre Rouge "Noir" (Grenache 45%, Mourvedre 35%, Syrah 20%) color: pale garnet with brick at the edge nose: CEDAR!! leather, licorice and dried cherry palate: acidic entry, bright fruit, lots of leather, tar and a hint of licorice
When first opened, it had quite a pronounced leather and cedar nose that made both of us think of Italy. In the end, it began to resemble both and aged Ridge Zin and also an older Chateauneuf. With food, the acidity was in balance, but by the end of the night the acidity seemed to be outlasting the fruit. A very nice bottle of wine, overall, and one that would be hard to peg as Californian if tasted blind.
Mark Lipton