Winemaker Notes
This special bottling of Mendocino Zinfandel is a combination of our favorite Mendocino Zinfandel vineyards. Lolonis Zinfandel Vineyards were planted around 1980 and the Pacini Vineyard was planted in 1943. Pacini is dry farmed, thus is a low yielding vineyard with concentrated flavors.
Based on our stylistic approach to Shooting Star wines, this Zin is lighter and fruitier than our Old-Vine Steele Zinfandels. We used approximately 80% neutral barrels and 20% new barrels in order to capture as much of the aroma and flavor of the grape as possible.
Try our Shooting Star Zinfandel with pasta in marinara sauce, calzones, grilled meats or lasagna. The Shooting Star Zinfandel is also a delicious wine with BBQ.
Professional Ratings
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Tasting Panel
Silky and richly fruity; toasty and juicy with enduring threads of blackberry. Overseeing this handharvested release, Jed Steele is really a Zin master.
California is a winemaking colossus; by itself it is the fourth largest producer in the world. Red wine accounts for 56% of the total by volume, and red grapes 63% of total acres planted. In addition, a number of California red wines are heralded as being among the most prestigious and sought-after wines in the world.
While the state’s incredibly diverse geography, soils and microclimates allow for a wide array of styles, the key factor unifying California red wine is the abundance of sunshine and a long, consistent growing season. This leads to well-developed fruit marked both by impressive ripeness and balancing acidity.
The state’s most famous red wine region, of course, is Napa Valley, where Cabernet Sauvignon reigns as king. But California boasts a wealth of other impressive appellations. The much larger and climatically varied Sonoma County also produces world class California Cabernet, along with wonderful examples of California Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.
Fine versions of Cabernet and Zinfandel hail from Paso Robles as well, which is also gaining fame with Rhone varietals like Syrah and Grenache. As for Pinot Noir, terrific examples can be found from AVA’s such as Anderson Valley, Carneros, Santa Lucia Highlands and Sta. Rita Hills. Wineries in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties are making wonderful Syrahs, and the Sierra Foothill appellations are proving to be an experimental hotbed, with Italian and Spanish varietals employed to great effect.
This of course is a mere sketch. The subject of California red wine is as deep and broad as an ocean, and absolutely a joy to explore!