Steele, Lake County (North Coast, California) Cabernet Franc 2017

 Jed Steele has been a luminary in the California wine industry.  He started his career 50 years ago in 1968 at Stoney Hill winery in Napa.  His eponymous winery in Lake County marks its 25th anniversary with the 2017 vintage.  If he can’t get it right, no one can.  And, year after year, he continues to get it right.  This 2017 Cabernet Franc is a seamless mid-weight balance of dark fruit and savory notes all held together by beautiful structure.  It finishes fresh and lively with an attractive hint of bitterness, which to me is the sign of a fine wine.  Its weight and finesse would make it a good choice for grilled tuna this winter.