Terre Rouge and Easton Wines was founded in the late 80s by husband and wife team Bill Easton and Jane O’Riordan. Winemaker Bill Easton began his career in the wine business working for small California wineries. In the late 70's he founded Solano Cellars, a wine shop in Berkeley, California, specializing in small artisan producers from around the world. From years in the shop and traveling extensively in Europe, Bill's palate and style of winemaking developed. He creates wines that are balanced and elegant, with complexity that develops as the wines age in bottle. The French call it élevage, which is "raising" the wine in the bottle. There is an art to this style of winemaking and great pleasure in a wine that is ready to drink, while still showing great promise for future aging.
Bill is one of the original Rhône Rangers and pioneered the Rhône varietals in the Sierra Foothills. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Rhône Rangers in 2016.
TERRE ROUGE means "Red Earth". This vermillion-colored soil is one of the hallmarks of this region. Bill's 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, Marsanne. High elevation sites up to 3200’ contribute to the complexity of their wines.
2016 TERRE ROUGE Tête-à-Tête, Rhône Blend, Sierra Foothills
A blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre
TASTING NOTES:
This meaty, savory wine made from Mourvèdre, Syrah and Grenache puts earth, mineral and wild berry flavors in the forefront, backing them with good acidity and moderate tannins for a snappy, mouthcleansing texture.