Last night we joined a group of other wine folks for a virtual tasting of Steele Wines with winemaker and owner Jed Steele. With over 50 years' in the wine industry, Jed started with a cellar position after playing basketball on scholarship for Gonzaga University, then went back to school at University of California - Davis and earned a master's degree in enology. He gained experience with a number of wineries including Napa's Stony Hill Winery, Edmeades Winery in Mendocino County's Anderson Valley and the powerhouse Kendall-Jackson Winery, before starting his own brand in Lake County in 1991. In addition to Steele and Shooting Star brands launched that year, Jed created Stymie in 1999 and Writer's Block with his son Quincy in 2002.
Steele Stymie Founder's Reserve 2016 Syrah - Lake County, Jacobsen Vineyard
Named for both a concept and a Texas equestrian winner--"Stymie" an amazing and elite thoroughbred racehorse during the years 1945-1948 who retired with nearly $1 million in earnings--the Steele Stymie label graces on the small lot, highest quality wines Jed Steele produces. We love Syrah and this one is exceptional -- smokey dark fruit with excellent aging potential. We paired it with smoked meats, and it especially worked with a black pepper coated Busseto Dry Cured Salami. Steele Stymie Syrah is 14.8 percent alcohol by volume. $38
We are sad he makes only 175 cases! For more information on the Steele Wines we tasted check out the #SteeleWines twitter stream and visit Steele Wines website for information about the winery and other wines produced.
