STEELE STYMIE

Claimed for $1,500 after 19 losses, Stymie ultimately became the first Thoroughbred to earn $900,000 and was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1975. A stretch runner and crowd pleaser known for pulsating late charges, 'Here comes Stymie' was the cry as he ate up horses in the stretch. He won 35 races and set or equaled three track records.

Jed Steele's father's winnings on Stymie financed the family's move from New York to San Francisco and the rest is history. The new Stymie label is therefore reserved for rare, small production wines of the highest quality. 1999 is the premier vintage and was characterized by a long, cool growing season resulting in extremely long hang time for the grapes. The absence of rain in autumn contributed to the concentration and intensity of the wines.

Steele-Stymie Syrah Founder's Reserve
The grapes used for the premier vintage of this wine were grown by Floyd and Jolene Silvia in their Shady Rest Vineyard, planted in 1993 and located on a gravelly bench overlooking the Big Valley area of Lake County. Gentle crushing and slow, cool fermentation below 90 degrees resulted in a wine of tremendous extract and lovely perfume. The wine was aged in Tanansaud barrels for 22 months. Total production was limited to 250 6-bottle cases.
2000??????? $39.99??????? limited
Steele Stymie Founder?s Reserve Syrah has a rich, dark red color and has firm body. The Syrah has excellent New World fruit aromas and flavors of berry and cherry with a touch of nutmeg and cinnamon. The rich, full-bodied palate has subtle fruit with medium tannins and well-integrated oak. The finish is long with a hint of leather in the back palate.
1999??????? $39.99??????? limited

Steele-Stymie Merlot Founder's Reserve
The grapes used for the premier vintage of this wine were grown by Floyd and Jolene Silvia in their Shady Rest Vineyard, located on a gravelly bench overlooking the Big Valley area of Lake County.? After a warm fermentation, the wine was aged for 30 months in hand selected barrels of French and American oak barrels. Total production was just 250 6-bottle cases.
2001??????? $39.99??????? AVAILABLE
Steele Stymie Founder?s Reserve Merlot has a rich, deep, dark red color and firm body. The wine exhibits aromas of chocolate, jammy fruit, tobacco, and a hint of pepper. The palate reveals a rich, well-structured wine with flavors of ripe red currants, a peppery mid-palate, and just a hint of coffee. It has an excellent, long-lasting finish and smooth tannins. This superb Merlot is the perfect ?special occasion? wine and pairs well with big hearty foods.
1999??????? $39.99??????? SOLD OUT