Steele Pinot Blanc 2015
-
Wong
Wilfred
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Try pairing with scallops sautéed in lemon butter with the zest of citrus and lime are always a great pairing, but so versatile a wine, it can pair with just about any seafood.
Professional Ratings
-
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: As a wine professional, I look at Pinot Blanc—sometimes confused as Melon de Bourgogne—as a wine similar to Chardonnay, but with less acidity. The 2015 Steele Pinot Blanc is well-balanced and delectable. Its aromas of ripe apple and dried peach should pair it well with a tossed salad of grilled Freestone peaches and fresh ricotta cheese. (Tasted: August 3, 2018, San Francisco, CA)
Other Vintages
2001-
Spectator
Wine
Approachable, aromatic and pleasantly plush on the palate, Pinot Blanc is a white grape variety most associated with the Alsace region of France. Although its heritage is Burgundian, today it is rarely found there and instead thrives throughout central Europe, namely Germany and Austria, where it is known as Weissburgunder and Alto Adige where it is called Pinot Bianco. Interestingly, Pinot Blanc was born out of a mutation of the pink-skinned Pinot Gris. Somm Secret—Chardonnay fans looking to try something new would benefit from giving Pinot Blanc a try.
With a dry and mild climate cooled significantly by moist ocean fog and breezes, Santa Barbara County is a grape-grower’s dream. Part of the larger Central Coast appellation, Santa Barbara is home to Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valley. The conditions here provide an opportunity for nearly effortless production of high-quality cool-climate Central Coast wines. This is also the site of the 2004 film Sideways, which caused Pinot Noir’s popularity to skyrocket and brought new acclaim to the region.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the stars of Santa Barbara, producing wines marked by racy acidity. Crisp Sauvignon Blanc and savory Syrah are also important. The region is home to many young and enthusiastic winemakers eager to experiment with less common varieties including Chenin Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Trousseau Gris, Gamay and Cabernet Franc, making it an exciting area to watch.