Steele Writer's Block Lake County Zinfandel 2004

Unblock yourself and be inspired by this label that you have to pick up and read, then buy and drink. 

Jed Steele (a.k.a. the old block) is the creative winemaker and proprietor of Steele Wines, but it is his son Quincy (a.k.a. the chip off the old block) who is the Shakespearian Winemaker and liquid author of Steele's Writer's Block wines, now in their third vintage. Besides Zinfandel, the line includes a Syrah, Pinot Noir, Grenache and Cab Franc.

Jed began the Steele label over 15 years ago after spending the previous 9 years helping to put Jess Jackson's Kendall-Jackson label on the map. Prior to K-J, Jed was at Edmeades during which time he took a degree in Winemaking from UC-Davis. Now Jed's wine industry experience spans nearly 40 years, a job begun after studying History and Literature in the 1960's.

The quest for the creative freedom to bring literary wines to market has brought Jed to Lake County, California's "undiscovered wine country". Steele's winery is "way out there" along Highway 29 in near Kelseyville. Not to be outdone, son Quincy has recently ventured further out, currently working in Argentina gaining more winemaking experience at Bodega Catena.

Quincy Steele's approach for Writer's Block Zinfandel (2004) is to blend blocks of Lake County Zin (80%) with blocks of Syrah (12%), Cabernet Franc (6%) and Merlot (2%). The individual lots are aged in mostly American oak barrels, about 1/4 new, with some Hungarian and French barrels also used. The goal is a uniquely charismatic Zinfandel.

Different friends of the Steele's are the guest authors for the stories each wine carries on its back label. Alison Bing penned the "beatnik Zinfandel" story on the back label; "What started as a writer's block is now officially a block party". (Click the thumbnail to read the story.)

Tasting Notes: Appearance: Deep candy apple red, translucent. Aromas: Raspberry, black cherry, coffee, vanilla, cocoa and baking spice. The body is light-to-medium and there's a sense of front-palate sweetness, but dry elsewhere. Without going overboard, a range of red berry, citrus rind, white pepper and cinnamon spice flavors come together nicely and finish warmly and dusty.

Excellent value ($12).  Closure: Real cork.  Alcohol content: 13.5%.

Food pairing: Chicken Tortilla Soup, medium-hot spicy.

Comments

[Denise]

Just had my first taste! WOW! I really enjoyed it.