Steele Zinfandel Mendocino County 2007

Vineyards:

This special bottling of Mendocino Zinfandel is a combination of our favorite Mendocino Zinfandel vineyards. Lolonis Vineyards were planted around 1950 and have been farmed organically ever since. Pacini Vineyard was planted in 1943, is dry farmed, thus is a low yielding vineyard with concentrated flavors. Dupratt Vineyard is in the Mendocino Ridge appellation, which is grown above 1500 ft and near the coast, it has also been farmed organically since 2000.

Winemaking:

A minimalist approach is taken in producing this wine. The fruit is usually harvested in late September to early October. The grapes are gently crushed, then fermented individually with high temperatures reaching The 3 individual lots are fermented in stainless tanks and then aged in Hungarian and French oak for 10 months separately. The lots are not blended until just before bottling so that the integrity of each individual vineyard can be tasted in the wine. We use mostly Lolonis Vineyard Zinfandel for this blend, with a smidge of Pacini Zinfandel and a touch of Dupratt Zinfandel.

Flavors/Food Pairing:

This Zinfandel depicts fresh red fruit, mint, ripe prune and raspberry characteristics, nice dark fruit and allspice fill the mid palate that is complimented with a dusty fig finish. It’s a mouthful of flavor. Perfect for pairing with an assortment of cheeses, such as white cheddar, a mild blue or Pecorino. A spicy Cioppino or pork sausages with grilled eggplant would also be great compliments.