The finest Rhone Ranger effort I have ever tasted from the Sierra Foothills is Domaine de la Terre Rouge’s 2000 Syrah Ascent (the price reflects the quality in the bottle). It spent 23 months in 100% French oak barrels before being bottled unfiltered. The result is an opaque saturated blue/purple-colored Syrah boasting a huge bouquet of smoke, creosote, barbecue spices, and black fruits with underlying mineral and meat scents. Massive and rich, but not over the top, it is a full-throttle Syrah with impressive concentration as well as overall harmony. This large-scaled 2000 should hit its prime in 2-3 years, and last 12-15, possibly longer. Bravo! Tel. (209) 245-3117

Only eight barrels of this totally wonderful stuff were produced. This young, immature Syrah is massive and splendid. Huge in fruit, pepper, smoke, and earthy flavors, swaddled in rich tannins and smart oak. Great now, but will improve over the next 4 years.——S.H.(6/1/2003)—— 94