Wine Reviews
Steele Wine consistently receives high marks from leading wine and food publications. The following are examples of recent reviews for our wines.
Dallas Morning News - Writer's Block Counoise 2010
Wine panel seeks perfect complement for Beef Bourguignon
03:03 PM CDT on Tuesday, October 27, 2009
By TINA DANZE / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News
2007 Writer's Block Counoise, California
($13.99 Sigel's)
This rare, Rhone-style varietal surprised the panel as an approachable, easy-drinking wine that showed a very berry character with the dish. "It's got the lure of earthiness, but a fresh, clean style," said Hammett. "It's a balanced wine that's not overtly assertive." Werley added: "It's not overly tannic or high in alcohol, but it's got enough acidity to round out everything in the dish." A fun wine match, it's an exotic grape but a familiar style of wine. Howald also liked the pairing, and found it a fun opportunity to explore a new varietal.
Mendocino County Fair - Chardonnay Dupratt Vineyard 2008
Gold Medal
Steele, 06 Chardonnay, "DuPratt Vineyard"
Steele, 06 Zinfandel, Mendocino County
Silver Medal
Steele, 05 Zinfandel, "DuPratt Vineyard"
Shooting Star, 07 Chardonnay
Shooting Star, 07 Zinfandel, Mendocino County
Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce Zinfandel Championship - Steele Zinfandel Mendocino County 2007
Silver Medal
Steele Zinfandel, Mendocino County
Shooting Star Zinfandel, Lake County
Steele Zinfandel, Pacini Vineyard, Mendocino Ridge
Bronze Medal
Writer's Block Zinfandel, Lake County
Steele Zinfandel, "Catfish Vineyard", Lake County
Colorado Wine News - Writer's Block Grenache 2009
Check out this recent article in The Colorado Wine News featuring several Steele and Writer's Block wines.
San Francisco Chronicle - Shooting Star Zinfandel Lake County 2008
Well-fruited but restrained ripe berry and lovely spice. With 13.5 percent alcohol, this wine will compliment your summer grilling.
San Francisco Chronicle “The Chronicle Recommends” by Lynne Char Bennett July 19, 2009
San Francisco International Wine Competition - Writer's Block Petite Sirah 2009
Gold Medal
Writer's Block, 06 Petite Sirah
Steele, 06 Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County
Silver Medal
Shooting Star, 06 Merlot
Shooting Star, 06 Cabernet Sauvignon
Steele, 05 Cabernet Sauvignon, "Red Hills Lake County"
Steele, 07 Chardonnay, "Steele Cuvee"
Writer's Block, 07 Counoise
Steele, 07 Viognier
Steele, 07 Pinot Blanc
Shooting Star, 07 Zinfandel, Lake County
Bronze Medal
Steele, 06 Merlot
Steele, 07 Aligote
Writer's Block, 07 Cabernet Franc
Writer's Block, 07 Roussanne
Steele, 05 Pinot Noir, Bien Nacido Vineyard "Block N"
Steele, 05 Zinfandel, DuPratt Vineyar
Orange County Fair Commercial Wine Competition - Shooting Star Cabernet Sauvignon Lake County 2009
Gold Medal
Shooting Star, 06 Cabernet Sauvignon
Steele, 07 Chardonnay, "Steele Cuvee"
Steele, 07 Pinot Blanc
Writer's Block, 07 Counoise
Silver Medal
Shooting Star, 07 Zinfandel
Steele, 06 Merlot
Steele, 05 Pinot Noir, Bien Nacido Vineyard, "Block N"
Writer's Block, 07 Roussanne
Writer's Block, 06 Petite Sirah
Bronze Medal
Steele, 07 Viognier
Steele, 06 Zinfandel, Mendocino County
Best of The Bay Wine Competition & Zin Challenge - Steele Zinfandel Mendocino County 2007
Silver Medal
Writer's Block, 06 Zinfandel
Steele, 06 Zinfandel, Mendocino County
Shooting Star, 07 Zinfandel
Vineyard & Winery Management Magazine -- West Coast Wine Competition April, 2009 - Shooting Star Riesling 2010
Silver Medal
Shooting Star, 07 Riesling
Steele, 07 Pinot Blanc
Writer's Block, 07 Roussanne
Steele, 05 Pinot Noir, Bien Nacido Vineyard, "Block N"
Steele, 07 Cuvee Chardonnay
Steele, 06 Merlot
Steele, 05 Zinfandel, DuPratt Vineyard
Bronze Medal
Writer's Block, 06 Petite Sirah
Sante Magazine - May, 2009 - Steele Zinfandel Mendocino County 2007
“Jammy fruit up-front with aromas and flavors of fresh spiced plum and red raspberry; medium bodied with great balance of fruit and acidity. (Serve with) duck breast.”
Sante Magazine - May, 2009 - Aligote Washington State 2010
“Aromas of almond, citrus, and violet with peach, lime, hazelnut, and chalk on the palate; light bodied and balanced long finish. (Serve with) baked tilapia.”
Wine Spectator On-Line - June 2009 - Steele Zinfandel Mendocino County 2007
87 Points
Wine Spectator On-Line - June 2009 - Writer's Block Zinfandel 2008
87 Points
Wine Spectator - June 30, 2009 - Shooting Star Zinfandel Mendocino 2008
“TOP VALUE. Juicy, crisp, and racy, with appealing cherry and dill aromas and lively tart raspberry and toasty flavors.”
87 Points
Tasting Panel Magazine - Shooting Star Zinfandel Lake County 2008
"Juicy and bright, with edgy spice, smoke, roasted meat and black raspberry fruit."
88 Points
Beaufort, NC Food & Wine Festival - Shooting Star Zinfandel Mendocino 2008
The following wines were awarded medals at the prestigious Beaufort, NC Food & Wine Festival:
Shooting Star Zinfandel, Mendocino County 2007- First Place, Best of Show
Steele Cuvee Chardonnay 2007 - GOLD METAL
Shooting Star Chardonnay 2007 - GOLD METAL
Steele Stymie Syrah Lake County 2005 - SILVER METAL
Shooting Star Blaufrankisch "Blue Franc" 2007 - SILVER METAL
Steele Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County 2006 - BRONZE METAL
Shooting Star Sauvignon Blanc, Lake County 2008 - BRONZE METAL
Restaurant Wine Magazine - Shooting Star Syrah Lake County 2009
SHOOTING STAR 2007 Aligote
“Dry, full bodied, crisp, and lightly oaked; a wine of green apple and ripe grape aromas/flavors, and modest oak. Medium long finish. 4 Stars (out of 5 Stars)”
SHOOTING STAR 2006 Syrah
“GREAT VALUE! Supple and ripely flavored, with light oakiness and medium long finish, tasting of black licorice, berry jam, toast, and cedar. 5 Stars (out of 5 Stars)”
STEELE 2007 Pinot Blanc
“A supple, full bodied, moderately complex wine, with excellent balance and length. It tastes of pears, lemon peel, apple, toast, roasted nut, and vanilla. GREAT VALUE. 5 Stars (out of 5 Stars).”
STEELE 2006 Zinfandel (
EXCELLENT VALUE. A supple, ripely flavored (plum, cherry, berry jam), lightly oaky Zin, with moderate richness, and a long finish. 4+ Stars (out of 5 Stars)”
WRITER’S BLOCK 2007 Counoise
“A full bodied, lightly toasty wine, with plum, cherry, toast, and vanilla aromas/flavors; Pinot-like in style. EXCELLENT. 4+ Stars (out of 5 Stars)”
WRITER’S BLOCK 2006 Syrah
“FINE SYRAH; ripe and full bodied with long character (black licorice, blackberry, clove, cedar), and a long persistent finish. GREAT VALUE. 4+ Stars (out of 5 Stars)”
2009 Vineyard & Winery Management – Wine Competitions Grand Harvest Award - Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard 2008
Gold Medal
Steele, 05 Pinot Noir, Bien Nacido, 500 cases produced
Silver Medal
Shooting Star, 06 Barbera, 600 cases produced
Steele, 07 Pinot Blanc, 3000 cases produced
Writer's Block, 07 Roussanne, 1000 cases produced
Writer's Block, 06 Malbec, 400 cases produced
Writer's Block, 06 Petite Sirah, 1000 cases produced
Bronze Medal
Steele, 06 Merlot, 2000 cases produced
Steele, 05 Zinfandel, Du Pratt Vineyard, 1000 cases produced
San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2009 - Merlot Clear Lake 2009
Best of Show
Steele Merlot, Lake County 2006
Gold Medal
Steele Cabernet Franc Rose, Lake County 2007
Writer's Block Petite Sirah, Lake County 2006
Silver Medal
Steele Viognier, Lake County 2007
Steele Zinfandel, "DuPratt Vineyard" Mendocino Ridge 2005
Shooting Star Syrah, Lake County 2006
Shooting Star Barbera, Lake County 2006
Writer's Block Zinfandel, Lake County 2006
Writer's Block Rousanne, Lake County 2007
Bronze Medal