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Steele 2017 Catfish Vineyard Lake County Zinfandel

Steele 2017 Catfish Vineyard Lake County Zinfandel

90 Points
Wine Enthusiast
dryness
acidity
tannin
body
fruit
90 Points
Wine Enthusiast

Mission Codename Zinsanity

If you aren’t on board the Steele train by now, here’s a rock bottom, bargain-basement fare to a total jam fest.

Jam fest you say?

Yes, as in way tastier than the Mountain Jam music festival in upstate NY. It also smells way better than a roaming pack of unwashed Wookies. Tastes better, too. Wait, what?

Nevermind that. You know what’s the best part though? Just SIXTEEN dollars! That’s like the price of two gallons of gas here in California. In other words, the value here is completely OFF. THE. METER.

Jed Steele is a legend, who’s been making kickass wines in Sonoma County since 1968. He spent time in the cellar at Stony Hill early on, before spending nine years helping Kendall Jackson grow into the force it is today. Today he’s committed to small winemaking craftsmanship, focusing on small lots (usually under 1,000 cases). Robert Parker says, *“his wines possess great fruit, excellent to outstanding richness, and superb purity and focus.”

Mr. Parker nailed it. This righteous Zin owes its fantastic richness and complexity from the Catfish Vineyard. Originally planted in 1901 (!), it contains mostly Zinfandel but also a scattering of Cabernet, Alicante, Cinsault, Carignan. In other words, a field blend - some of which find their way in here in small amounts. Another curious fact - it spent 12 months in hybrid barrels with alternating staves of French and American oak. That lends a terrific layer of sweet oak and vanillin to the final product.

And the final product is INTENSE. Think of it like a “hero’s dose” of fruit without the eight-hour ego dissolving journey into the abyss. Ripe red currants, blackberry jam, red cherries, baked plums, and mulled spices. A pleasure-filled journey that reels you back in sip after sip, until the last drop.

Zinfandel, of this quality, for this price… you know the drill by now.

90 points – Wine Enthusiast

“This is hearty wine shapes blackberry and black-pepper flavors with moderate tannins and a full body that are attractively mouthfilling. Hints of vanilla, clove and cedar add extra interest and a lingering finish.”

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Tasting Profile Tasting Profile

dryness
acidity
tannin
body
fruit
Steele 2017 Catfish Vineyard Lake County Zinfandel 750ml Wine Label
Look

Deep ruby red with a purple glow to the narrow circumference

Smell

Ripe red currants, blackberry jam, red cherries, baked plums, and mulled spices

Taste

INTENSE like a “hero’s dose” of fruit without the eight-hour ego dissolving journey into the abyss

Finish

A pleasure-filled journey that reels you back in sip after sip, until the last drop

Pairing

All-day smoked rack of ribs brushed liberally with the tangiest BBQ sauce this earth has seen

What the Winery Says 2017 Catfish Vineyard Lake County Zinfandel

Steele
Steele
Winemaker
Jed Steele
Varietal
90% Zinfandel, 10% Carignan, Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Cinsault
Vintage
2017
Appellation
Lake County
Vineyard
Catfish Vineyard
Alcohol
14.3%
Vine age
75 years average
Total acidity
6.3 g/L
pH
3.71
Residual sugar
0.06 g/L
Yields
2-3 tons/acre
Aging
12 months
Barrels
30% new French and American hybrid oak

About the Winery Steele

Steele Winemaker Jed Steele
Steele Winemaker Jed Steele
Steele 2017 Catfish Vineyard Lake County Zinfandel 750ml Wine Bottle
Offer Expired Jun 26, 2021 at 11:59 pm
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Steele 2017 Catfish Vineyard Lake County Zinfandel 750ml Wine Bottle
Offer Expired Jun 26, 2021 at 11:59 pm
Register to get notified when this wine is back in stock:
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