2018 Easton - Zinfandel Amador County (750ml)

Easton is the red wine label of winemakers Bill Easton and Jane O'Riordan, who have farmed in California's Sierra Foothills since the late 1980s and built their reputation on old vine Zinfandel from Amador County. Alongside their Rhône-focused Terre Rouge project, the couple has long emphasized low-impact viticulture, running a winery powered largely by solar energy and managing their vineyards with sustainable and organic methods. Their Amador County Zinfandel has become one of the region's benchmark bottlings, prized for consistency and value across vintages.

The fruit for this wine comes from Amador County's decomposed granite hillsides, where old, head-pruned Zinfandel vines endure hot days and cool nights that concentrate flavor in small berries. These low-yielding vines, some planted decades ago, produce grapes with natural intensity that require little manipulation in the cellar. The wine is aged in oak to round out its structure while preserving the bright, spicy character that Amador Zinfandel is known for.

On the nose, wild sage and chaparral notes lead into concentrated raspberry, blackberry, and plum fruit, with hints of cocoa, vanilla, and baking spice adding depth. The palate is full-bodied and structured, with firm tannins and a long finish. It pairs well with barbecued ribs, grilled sausage, or a sharp aged cheddar.