Domaine de la Terre Rouge Les Cotes de l'Ouest Syrah, California

Wild raspberry, cracked pepper, sage, and smoky savory notes open with depth and aromatic clarity. 2018 Domaine de la Terre Rouge Les Cotes de l'Ouest Syrah combines Syrah from a Delta-cooled Clements Hills vineyard with fruit from higher Sierra Nevada Foothills sites, with a small portion of Viognier co-fermented to add aromatic finesse. Careful extraction and predominantly used French oak preserve the wine’s fruit and savory character, reflecting Bill Easton’s longstanding approach to balanced, age-worthy Rhône varieties.

Product Details:

• Owners: Bill Easton & Jane O’Riordan
• Winemaker: Bill Easton
• Assistant Winemaker: Kevin Linker
• Grapes: Syrah, Viognier
• Blend: 96% Syrah, 4% Viognier
• Vineyard Source: Approximately 25% from a Clements Hills vineyard and 75% from higher Sierra Nevada Foothills vineyards
• Soil: Alluvial granitic Montpellier and Cometa soils at the Clements Hills site; volcanic and granite-based soils at the higher sites
• Harvest Period: September 25, 2018
• Harvest Ripeness: 24.5 to 25.0° Brix
• Fermentation: Lightly crushed Syrah co-fermented with Viognier in large tanks with gentle cap irrigation to minimize tannin extraction
• Aging: 17 months in French oak barrels, 20% new and 80% used
• Bottling: End of March 2020
• pH: 3.72
• TA: 6.3 g/L
• ABV: 14.5%

Sensory Description:

Wild raspberry leads the aromatics, layered with smoke, black pepper, cinnamon, sage, and a subtle gamey character. The palate is rich and silky yet distinctly savory, bringing together ripe raspberry, olive, dried herbs, tar, and pepper within a fresh acid frame. The fruit remains clear through the wine’s substantial structure, while restrained extraction and predominantly used oak keep the texture smooth and the oak influence secondary. The finish is persistent and savory, with lingering red fruit, herbs, pepper, and earthy complexity.

Awards & Accolades:

• Score: Wine Enthusiast 93 Points, 2022
• Score: Wine & Spirits 92 Points, Best Buy

Winemaker's Background:

Domaine de la Terre Rouge was founded in the late 1980s by Bill Easton and Jane O’Riordan, with the Terre Rouge label devoted to Rhône varieties grown throughout the Sierra Nevada Foothills. Easton became one of the early Rhône Rangers, helping establish varieties such as Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Viognier, Roussanne, and Marsanne in the region. The estate works with vineyards on predominantly granitic and volcanic soils at a range of elevations, seeking wines with depth, balance, and the capacity to develop complexity in the bottle. Les Côtes de l’Ouest reflects that approach by combining a Delta-influenced western vineyard with mountain-grown Syrah to produce a wine that offers generous fruit while retaining the savory structure associated with the variety.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve at approximately 16 to 18 degrees Celsius in a Rhône-style or large red wine glass to highlight its raspberry fruit, pepper, herbs, and savory complexity. A brief decant can help the aromatics open further. Pair with roast lamb, grilled beef, duck, venison, herb-roasted pork, mushrooms, lentils, black olives, or firm aged cheeses.