Syrah
75cl * 14.5% ABV * California, USA
Bill Easton at Terre Rouge is strongly influenced by Rhône Valley-style wines and has years of award-winning winemaking experience to show for his intelligent endeavours. This is that rare thing from California: a very carefully assembled, balanced, complex, dry red wine, with a restrained, delicate use of oak maturation. Made from fruit grown just west of the Amador County line, it's a blend of 'mountain' Syrah with Syrah grown across several other sites. Forward and very drinkable, it has rich, wild and silky raspberry fruit flavours laced with pepper, tar and olive tones. Think of this as a Northern Rhone Syrah (e.g. St Joseph), that happens to come from California. Smooth and savoury, we'd pair this with peppery venison steaks or mushroom dishes.