Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: From one of California's famed Zinfandel vineyards, the 2015 Steele Pacini shows up nicely with beautiful fruit and excellent balance. TASTING NOTES: This wine stays fine and persistent from start to finish. Its aromas and flavors of ripe berries and savory wood show strong on the palate. Pair its richness with barbecue pork ribs. (Tasted: August 16, 2018, San Francisco, CA)
Unapologetically bold, spice-driven and jammy, Zinfandel has secured its title as the darling of California vintners by adapting well to the state's diverse microclimates and landscapes. Born in Croatia, it later made its way to southern Italy where it was named Primitivo. Fortunately, the imperial nursery of Vienna catalogued specimens of the vine, and it later made its way to New England in 1829. Parading the true American spirit, Zinfandel found a new home in California during the Gold Rush of 1849. Somm Secret—California's ancient vines of Zinfandel are those that survived the neglect of Prohibition; today these vines produce the most concentrated, ethereal and complex examples.
A large and diverse appellation within California’s North Coast AVA, Mendocino is home to several smaller sub-regions—most notably the Anderson Valley. This scenic region, with rolling hills covered in redwood forests as well as vineyards, is one of the world’s top producers of certified organically-grown grapes. Due to wide geographical and climatic variation, a vast array of wine styles can be found here.