2014 Domaine de la Terre Rouge Tête-à-Tête- USA, California, Sierra Foothills (4/24/2021)
Long time fan of Terre Rouge…my go to foothills Rhone fix! Pumped to see this show up at the local grocer, and on sale for $16! 43% Grenache, 43% Mourvedre, 14% Syrah…LOT of bottle caked on sediment…more Grenache dominant red fruited cherry and raspberry…really spicy and high toned brightness…is the dirt volcanic?..as it reminds me so…LOTS of crushed volcanic rock with crazy saline minerality and earth tones. Balanced well with some creamy and meaty Rhone goodness…smoky and spicy…again LOVE the red Kirsch-like brightness in this ala Chave…engaging briar patch rusticity…SO much complexity and attention grabbing for a wine at this price! In love here! (94 pts.)
2015 Domaine de la Terre Rouge Tête-à-Tête - USA, California, Sierra Foothills (12/22/2023)
I’m getting this locally for $13…stupid good! 39% Grenache, 39% Mourvèdre, 22% Syrah…this wine is all about the red fruited pretties, that took off running through the briar patch! Silky smooth and bright raspberry, cherry, boysenberry fruits…not as high toned and spicy with volcanic dirt as the 14 was…creamy and more subdued…subtle pepper spice, smoked meat, leather, garrigue…that wonderful crushed volcanic rock and saline minerality…red licorice dryness…really creamy and in CdR mode…easy drinkin and totally crushable! And LOVE that this is a current release from the winery! (93 pts.)
We tasted there in early fall. Really loved all the Rhones they were pouring. We were told Bill wants his wines rady to drink on release, hence the holdback until he thinks they are at their best.
Great notes, and totally agree. The QPR is redlining on this one at the grocery discount. May have to needlessly buy more wine based on your recommendation.
Great winemaker who’s been making killer wines for decades - and yep, QPRs are great. And you can get beautifully aged stuff for great prices too . . .
Terre Rouge was my “go to” California “Rhone Ranger” for a number of years. Incredible value in a bottle. While I liked the various Syrah bottlings, the Tête-à-Tête and the L’Autre were my favs. Haven’t purchased in a while - should probably do something about that! Thanks for the reminder!