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Sierra Foothills Wines

On the western edge of the Sierra Nevada Mountains sits California’s Sierra Foothills Wine Region. Established in 1987, the AVA contains vineyards that were planted during the California Gold Rush in the mid-19th century. Due to its inland location, the days tend to be hot and dry, while the nights are significantly cooler. Our Sierra Foothills Wine Reviews indicate that Zinfandel is by far the most planted grape, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Chardonnay. The better Zinfandels hail from Amador County and are loaded with wild berry and spice flavors and firm tannins, according to our Sierra Foothills Wine Ratings. The area has also become a popular place to visit as there are over 100 wineries in the region––many of them are small, family-owned establishments. For a full list of rated and reviewed wines from the area, be sure to check out our Sierra Foothills Buying Guide.

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Terre Rouge 2007 Ascent Syrah (Sierra Foothills)

Cellar Selection

Price $85

This is one of the few California Syrahs that demands time in the cellar. Its tough tannins form an aloof astringency that makes it virtually undrinkable now, but it has an incredible core of blackberry, black currant and dark chocolate fruit. Peppery, anise, leather and spice notes, in addition to slightly caramelized vanillins from 100% new oak, impart great… — S.H. (5/1/2010)

Daniel Gehrs 2004 Fireside Port (Amador County)

Editors' Choice

Price $31

Made with Portuguese varieties, this is a real Port-like wine. It’s supersweet, just fabulously rich in blackberry, chocolate, coffee and vanilla flavors, and all that richness is beautifully balanced with crisp acids and smooth, succulently ripe tannins. The finish goes on. A great price. — S.H. (12/1/2007)

Davis Family 2008 Cuvee Luke White (Sierra Foothills)

Price $26

A beautiful, golden-colored blend of Roussanne, Marsanne and Viognier so lush no bottle will go unfinished. Honey and honeysuckle aromas are followed by plenty of pleasing peach and apricot and the perfect amount of minerality to hold it all together. Yum. — V.B. (9/1/2011)

Domaine de la Terre Rouge 2008 Ascent Syrah (Sierra Foothills)

Online Exclusive

Price $80

A super-structured, incredibly textured Syrah from the Sierra Foothills, this is Bill Easton’s best of the best lots, aptly named Ascent, that he puts out every year to showcase his deft handling of age-worthy Syrah. This one will continue to develop its earthy, dusty, bacon fat and cigar box qualities over time. A truly beautiful bottle of wine. — V.B. (7/1/2011)

Terre Rouge 2006 Ascent Syrah (Sierra Foothills)

Cellar Selection

Price $80

This is Terre Rouge’s priciest Syrah, a barrel selection of the best lots. It’s a big wine. No, make that huge. Godzilla-esque. Just explodes in the mouth with massive flavors of blackberry and black cherry jam, milk chocolate, anise, cedar and pepper. Finishes bone dry, and the tannins are also gigantic, but very finely ground. You need to cellar this puppy. Best… — S.H. (7/1/2009)

Newsome-Harlow 2009 Herbert Vineyard, Old Vine Zinfandel (El Dorado County)

Price $36

A new vineyard source for Newsome-Harlow and arguably its best single-vineyard designated Zin out of a lineup of superbly delicious Zins. With a heady raspberry and blackberry nose, this Zin is classically lush and intense yet silky smooth in the mouth, tinged by hints of black pepper and licorice. Altogether so, so good. — V.B. (12/1/2011)

Domaine de la Terre Rouge 2000 Ascent Syrah (Sierra Foothills)

Cellar Selection

Price $75

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)

Terre Rouge 1999 Sentinel Oak Vineyard, Pyramid Block Syrah (Shenandoah Valley (CA))

Price $35

Hang onto your hat; here’s a very great Syrah. The aromas are hiding, now suggesting plum and blackberry, now black pepper, now freshly baked rhubarb pie. In the mouth, it knocks out with grace and power. It’s soft as silk, but complex and layered, and the richly tannic finish suggests aging potential. Not too long, though. — S.H. (7/1/2002)

Most Reviewed Sub Regions [All]

Amador County Calaveras County El Dorado El Dorado County Fair Play Fiddletown Mariposa County Nevada County North Yuba Placer County Shenandoah Valley (CA) Tehema Foothills Tuolumne County

Most Reviewed Producers [All]

A Donkey and Goat Albeno Munari Amador Foothill Winery Andis Wines Audubon Cellars Auriga Bell Bella Piazza Black Sheep Bodega del Sur Boeger Boitano Bonneau Bray Brice Station Broll Mountain Vineyards Burford & Brown Burrell School Vineyards C.G. di Arie Cameron Hughes Cantiga Wineworks Cartlidge & Browne Casto Oaks Cedar Mountain Cedarville Cedarville Vineyard Chameleon Charles B. Mitchell Charles Creek Château Potelle Château Rodin Chatom Chatom Vineyards Clockspring Clos du Lac Clos La Chance Cloud 9 Com e Bella Coulson Eldorado Crystal Basin Cellars Dalton Daniel Gehrs David Girard Davis Family De Loach Deaver Diamond Springs Vineyard Dillian Domaine de la Terre Rouge Domenico Dono dal Cielo Drytown Duarte Georgetown Due Vigne Easton Edmunds St John El Alacran Elyse Fernwood Fiddletown Cellars Firefall Fitzpatrick Folie à Deux Four Vines French Hill Gianelli Gold Hill Grande Folie Granite Springs Grizzly Republic H. Gray Haraszthy Hatcher Hawley Holly's Hill Hovey IL Gioiello Indian Rock Indian Springs Ironstone Irwin Family Vineyards Jacella Jodar Joel Gott Just Joshin Karly Karmere Kendall-Jackson Kendric Kirkland Signature La Clarine Farm Lambert Bridge Lang Laraine Latcham Lava Cap Lavender Ridge Longevity Macchia Madroña Marr Marshall Martella Medusa Melanto Terrace Michael David Milliaire Ministry of the Vinterior Miraflores Mirassou Mitchell Montevina Montoliva Morse Mount Aukum Mountain View Mt. Vernon Naggiar Nevada City Newsome-Harlow Nine Gables Noceto Oakstone Obscurity Pepi Perry Creek Peters Family Plungerhead Prospect 772 R & B Cellars Ramian Ravenswood Red Rover Renaissance Renner Renwood Robert Craig Rosenblum Santino Scott Harvey Sera Fina She Wines Shenandoah Shenandoah Vineyards Sierra Moon Sierra Vista Single Leaf Smith Wooton Sobon Estate Sogno Soleau Sonora Spelletich Cellars St Amant St. Amant Winery Stark Starry Night Stevenot Stonehouse Sunfire Swanson Terra d'Oro Terre Rouge Tiger Lily Toogood True Vine Twisted Oak Ursa Used Automobile Parts Verde Sole Villa Mt. Eden Villa Toscano Vina Moda Vineyard 1869 Vino Noceto Vinum Vinum Cellars VJB Windwalker Wofford Acres Yorba Z-52 Zinfandelic Zucca

2009 Occasio

Occasio has made a restrained and elegant Cabernet, alluring in its cola…

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