Terre Rouge Sentinel Oak Syrah

[Innkeeper]

1998 Terre Rouge, Shenandoah Valley California, Sentinel Oak Vineyard, Pyramid Block, Syrah ($30). Weighs in at 14.3 % alcohol, 3.60 PH, and 6.3 gm./liter acidity. Had it with our Easter Dinner tonight. One of those wines that stops you cold with the first sip amongst great food and great conversation; as in whoa! From the incredible aroma, to the flood of fruit, concentration, smokey oak, and complexity across the palate, to fire alarm finish, a wine you must enjoy someday. The folks at Easton say it can age, but I can't imagine it getting any better. Mother wanted me to get on to the dessert, but I said, "Not until I finish the wine." She said, "Well give me some more." Can't think of any wine that would have gone better with the lamb and flageolets this evening.