Steele Cabernet Red Hills

Tasting Notes

Abigail's Tasting Note (2019 Vintage)

Colour: Deep, deep, ruby

Nose: Quite fragrant on the nose, with capsicum, bramble fruit, black currants and blackberries. There are elements of oak spice (vanilla, mostly) hiding behind its fruity demeanour.

Palate: It's full-bodied with firm tannins and balancing acidity; Bramble fruit, blackcurrants, blackberries, and other wild summer berries, with vanilla and nutmeg on the back palate.

Finish: A long, powerful finish.

Pairings: Meatloaf or Bangers & Mash.

Comments: Delicious! 

Winery Tasting Notes (2017 Vintage)

This wine has a rich, fruit-forward elegance. A spicy fruit and berry core backed up by soft tannins makes it a nice glass of wine for casual sipping among friends.

Winery Pairing Suggestions

This Cabernet Sauvignon would go well with a spice-rubbed rib eye steak or rack of lamb.

Winery

From Lake County California, Steele Vineyards and its partner vineyard Shooting Star. Founded by winemaker and consultant Jed Steele, the vineyard is the second most well-known wineries in Lake County. A legend in his own right, Jed Steele has over 50 years of reputable wine experience.

After acquiring his master's degree in enology, Jed worked as the founding winemaker for Kendall Jackson wines. Throughout his eight-year tenure with the company, he oversaw the production of the incredibly successful line of wines that was instrumental to the growth and popularity of Kendall Jackson in North America. However, as the company began to shift more towards a large-scale corporate operation, Jed felt that the core values of ethical winemaking and quality were lost. His time with the company eventually came to end in the early 1990s when a bitter legal battle ensued between Jed and Jess Jackson.

Now having made a name for himself in the wine industry, Jed took this opportunity to consult for other vineyards while simultaneously working on his own line of wines. His first release under Steele Vineyards quickly became a classic lake country staple. Rather than focusing on quantity, he wanted to highlight the quality of the varietals and terroir. In 1991, Jed expanded his portfolio of wines with the introduction of the Shooting Star lineup. These wines upheld the quality of the Steele lineup but were designed to be more experimental and youthful.

Thirty years after it was founded, Steele Vineyards was purchased by the larger Lake Country company, Shannon Family Wines. The company is dedicated to upholding sustainable and ethical practices of viticulture in its vineyards. Shannon Family continues the legacy of Steele and Shooting Star through regular contact and consultation with Jed Steele.