Steele Carneros Pinot Noir 2001

The core vineyards are Durell and Sangiacomo, both from the cool Carneros (Spanish for Sheep) region of Sonoma County. The fruit was much riper in the two previous vintages. We received maximum hang time for the grapes and this will translate into wine of greater weight and body. We feel that this wine will be ready to drink upon release but will improve with further bottle age. Very few wineries can produce a wine of this quality in this quantity.

Food Pairing: We feel that the Carneros Pinot Noir is a style of wine with great appeal. That has been confirmed by its inclusion in the Wine Spectator's top 100 wines on several occasions. Traditional favorites are lamb, grilled pork loin and salmon, especially those fish caught from the Copper River in Alaska.