($18):  Winemaker and owner Bill Easton bottles his wines made from Rhône grapes–Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier–under the Terre Rouge label, using the eponymous name for those made from other varietals.  All of the vineyards that produce grapes for this wine face west, hence its name, Les Côtes de l’Ouest.  Certainly ripe, its meaty–bacon fat–notes add complexity.  Although the stated 15.5% alcohol might put some off–as it did me initially–this lovely Syrah carries it well.  Drink now with hearty wintertime fare. 90 Michael Apstein Dec 1, 2009