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by Fred McMillin
for April 30, 1998
This Pinot Is a Steele
Prologue
"You can tell nearly all you need to know about a vineyard by the list of wine producers frantically climbing over one another to fight for its grapes. Nearly 50 top California wineries are standing in line to buy fruit from Sangiocomo Vineyards in the cool flatlands of the Carneros District."
...Richard Hinkel, "Wine Enthusiast"
The Rest of the Story
Regarding those fights for Sangiocomo grapes, it's hardly suprising that a 6'5" former basketball star, winemaker Jed Steele, is a winner...and my tasters are glad. They just gave the Steele '95 Sangiocomo Vineyard Pinot Noir a rare EXCELLENT rating. Visiting Australian wine authority James Halliday was impressed by Carneros Pinots..."the cherry/red berry flavors are consistently correct, pure and delicate." Jed says virtually the same thing about this '95..."it shows forth that great, straight-ahead bing cherry fruit that is pure and simply Carneros Pinot."
The Wine
1995 Pinot Noir, Sangiocomo Vineyard, Carneros
Steele Wines, Kelseyville, CA.
Contact—Mrs. Jed Steele (Marie), (707) 279-0213
Price—$24 range
Postscript
Newlyweds Vittorio and Maria Sangiocomo sailed from Genoa nearly seventy years ago. They settled in the Sonoma Valley, raising apples and pears. In 1969 their four children, three sons and a daughter, planted their first vines in the little-known Carneros District. Today they are the largest grower in the area, with over 1,000 acres of fine vines.
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About the Writer
Fred McMillin, a veteran wine writer, has taught wine history for 30 years on three continents. He currently teaches wine courses at San Francisco State and San Francisco City College and is Northern California Editor for American Wine on the Web. In 1995, the Academy of Wine Communications honored Fred with one of only 22 Certificates of Commendation awarded to American wine writers. |
WineDay
Annex
More articles by
Fred McMillin
Welcome to WineDay, the electronic Gourmet Guide's daily update. Monday through Thursday, WineDay presents a wine profile. Then on Fridays we present the Winery of the Week to take you through the weekend.
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