Deep ruby color; dark cherry, blackberry, oak toast on the nose; dark cherry, blackberry, plum, chip of chocolate on the palate.
Dry; soft tannins; relaxed acidity (3.76 pH). Soft, juicy, delicious, but retains cab boldness. Medium-full body. Nice dark-fruit lingering finish; 100% cabernet sauvignon. Grapes sorted, crushed, fermented in small lots. Gentle handling, minimal intervention allows the estate fruit to make the flavor statement. Finished 10 months in French, American, and Hungarian oak, 30% new; 13.5% ABV.
This is label of Scheid Family Wines, an operation started by patriarch Al Scheid in 1972. In the beginning, Scheid only sold grapes to other wineries. It has grown into a successful family winery bottling five different labels: Scheid Vineyards, District 7, Metz Road, VDR, and Stokes’ Ghost. The District 7 label references the official regional designation by the State of California.
Pure cabernet sauvignon play with 100% estate grown from two vineyards in southern Monterey County. The Hames Valley Vineyard is located near the border of San Luis Obispo County. Sheltered by afternoon winds; largest diurnal temperature swings in the county. The San Lucas Vineyard is in the county’s tipping point for Bordeaux reds with warm, sunny days and cold, calm nights.
District 7 takes pride in its commitment to sustainability, certified by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. The website notes: “Our family has farmed wine grapes in Monterey County, California since 1972. We are committed to cultivating a sustainable future from grapes to glass and as caretakers of our estate grown vineyards, we intend to do just that. Today, we are the proud stewards of 11 certified sustainable vineyards along with a state-of-the-art winery that is entirely powered by renewable wind energy. At our core, we strive to grow and produce delicious wines in a way that is good for the environment and good for our community.” Visit the website’s sustainability pages for inspiring full story.
District 7 Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Grown, Monterey, California 2018 is delicious, fruit-forward, easy drinker that still has cab boldness. Note of phenolic “sweetness”—which is illusion of sweetness caused by ripe fruit. Great everyday table wine that also works at more sophisticated meals. Excellent QPR (quality-price ratio). Pair with hearty cuts of beef grilled, sautéed, broiled; gourmet hamburgers and sliders; beef stew; meatloaf and comfort food; lamb; wild game; mushroom risotto. $18-20
