Easton Estate Shenandoah Zinfandel 1999

Shenandoah Valley, California Wine Enthusiast 93 points! Easton Estate Shenandoah Zinfandel is a beautiful estate-bottled Zin from the Shenandoah Valley AVA in the Sierra Foothills of California. Terre Rouge and Easton Wines was founded in the late 80’s by Bill Easton and Jane O’Riordan. Winemaker Bill Easton is one of the original Rhône Rangers and pioneered the Rhône varietals in the Sierra Foothills. His wines are balanced and elegant with complexity that develop 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. Easton Estate Shenandoah Zinfandel comes from 40-100 year-old vines planted to granitic soils in the Dickinson and Baldinelli properties that surround the winery. Vines are dry-farmed and hand-harvested in early October. Fermented in stainless steel. Aged 20 months in 25% new Bordeaux barrels. The wine has huge brambly blackberry fruit, big cedar, spice box aromas and flavors and a smooth creamy finish. With years of cellaring in bottle, it has developed a beautiful complexity. Bill and Jane recently had a bottle of this wine for dinner and were blown away by its relative youthfulness. Who says Zin doesn't age? Enjoy Easton Estate Shenandoah Zinfandel with filet mignon, rack of lamb, steak, grilled vegetables and aged cheeses.