Steele & Shooting Star Mixed Reds

Tasting notes & discussion 11

Typically $23 - $33/bottle from the Shannon Family
Vintage 2020 & 2021 reds from Lake County (mostly)
Available for AZ; CA; CO; CT; DC; FL; GA; IA; ID; IL; MA; MD; ME; MI; MN; MO; MT; NC; ND; NE; NM; NV; NY; OH; OR; PA; TN; TX; VA; VT; WA; WI
Sold by participating winery or licensee, fulfilled by Wine Country Connect

About Shooting Star Wines: “First produced in 1991, Shooting Star wines are true to terroir and a great value. These offerings are more reminiscent of specific appellations and uncommon varietals, and are fermented in stainless steel or aged in oak for a shorter period of time to be enjoyed while young.”

About Steele Wines: “A staple of Lake County for the last nearly 30 years, Steele Winery carries on the legacy of its founder Jed Steele with a focus on small allotments of a wide range of wine varietals. Shannon Family of Wines purchased Steele in 2020 and has continued Jed’s practice of craftsmanship winemaking.”

Shooting Steel

TASTING NOTES:
Shooting Star Zinfandel - “Based on our stylistic approach to Shooting Star wines, this Zin is lighter and fruitier than our Old-Vine Steele Zinfandels. Spice, tobacco, and cocoa are also characteristics of this bottling. We used approximately 80% neutral barrels and 20% new barrels to capture as much of the aroma and flavor of the grape as possible.” (AbV 13.7%, pH: 3.7, TA 0.59 g/100mL, RS 0.031 g/L)

Steele Cabernet Franc - “Aromas are of raspberry and cassis with peppery undertones, on the palate you will find blueberry and raspberry fruit, with notes of coffee and cocoa.” (AbV 13.8%, pH 3.79, TA 0.6 g/100mL, RS 0.09 g/L)

Shooting Star Cabernet Sauvignon - “The flavors are of Black cherry, boysenberry, and tobacco with soft, yet lingering tannins. We age this wine for 6 months in oak barrels to preserve the bright fruit flavors of this wine. Our Shooting Star Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas of dark red fruit with just a hint of fresh herbs.” (AbV 13.9%, pH 3.65, TA 0.66 g/100mL, RS 0.42 g/L)

Steele Cabernet Sauvignon - “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.“ (AbV 15.3%, pH 3.74, TA 0.53 g/100mL, RS 0.10 g/L)

VARIETALS: The Cabernet Franc is 80% Cabernet Franc, 19% Syrah, and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. The others are 100% what they are.

BARRELS: Steele wines spent 12 months in French oak. Shooting Star spent 6-8 months in a mix of French and American oak, mostly neutral.

PAIRS WITH: There’s something for each of them in the Discussion/Specifications.

THAT REMINDS ME OF: Well, shooting steel. Steel targets can be dangerous due to ricochet and shrapnel. Yet competitions will use them. The key is, in addition to the usual safety standards, hanging the targets. They need to be able to swing backwards. This will cause the bullet to go into the ground more often than not.

Steele & Shooting Star Mixed Reds

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