BUY STEELE ZINFANDEL PACINI 750ML ONLINE | Liquor Junction

After 25 years of crafting Zinfandel from the Pacini Vineyard, Jed has determined that the best method of harvesting the grapes is over a two-week period based on exposure. Due to the rolling topography of the vineyard and the many different facing slopes, we pick the grapes in several lots, as they become ripe. These lots are kept separate through the fermentation and barrel aging processes; they are only blended again just prior to bottling. This allows us to declassify portions of one or more of the lots to the Shooting Star Mendocino Zinfandel if necessary in order to maintain the integrity of this old vine Zin. As is our house style, we keep the temperatures on our fermentations moderate to develop the color and flavors inherent in the wine. We aged the Steele Pacini Vineyard Zinfandel in American oak barrels for 12 months, using 25% new barrels and 75% neutral barrels. This selection of oak allows us to maximize the fruit component while rounding out the structure of the wine. You can consume this wine now or lay it down for 6-8 years.Food Pairing:This wine is known for its earthy, brambly and mildly tarry character. This vintage is no exception. The nose has the previously mentioned characteristics in addition to a bacon (or pancetta) and a white pepper element. The palate is effusive with berries, sour cherries, butter, and chocolate tannins. The wine has great structure, is well balanced, and has a nice finish. We enjoy this wine with roasted meats (particularly if accompanied by a rich red fruit reduction), a flavorful Ratatouille, rib steak fresh from the broiler, and a variety of cheeses.