2001 Steele Mendocino Ridge Zinfandel

[wondersofwine]

13.5% alcohol; dark ruby color
Nose and palate of dark berries with a peppery bite; some astringency--more so than I recalled from a previous taste. Light to medium body. Seems to improve and regain balance second day. Fair match with cheddar cheese.
Having tried both wines, I prefer the 2000 Steele Catfish Vineyard Zinfandel, Clear Lake, CA (Lake County) over this Mendocino Ridge zin. Both are lower in alcohol than many big blockbuster Cal zines.