Pale ruby color; cherry, redcurrant, raspberry, vanilla, violets on the nose; raspberry, cherry, cranberry, strawberry, plum, meat, oak on the palate.
Dry; plush tannins and balancing acidity (3.66 pH). Light-medium body. Refined and generous with clean red-fruit flavors. With its lightness and ethereal notes, this drinks more like a Willamette Valley or Burgundy effort than many a California creation. Casey Di Cesare was the winemaker. 14.5% ABV
Grapes from a single vineyard—Riverview. Hand-picked in the early morning, hand-sorted and de-stemmed in the winery. Fermented in small lots in open-top tanks with punch downs three times a day. Aged in 100% French oak barrels for 14 months. Winery notes: “Our mantra is gentle handling and minimal intervention, allowing the distinctive terroir of a single vineyard site to shine.”
The winery notes: “Our namesake Metz Road runs alongside our Riverview Vineyard. Located adjacent to the Pinnacles and nestled along a bench overlooking the Salinas River, it is a Burgundian landscape dramatically influenced by the proximity of the Monterey Bay.”
This is a label of Scheid Family Wines, an operation started by patriarch Al Scheid in 1972 when the Monterey County wine region was in its infancy. In the beginning, Scheid only sold grapes to other wineries. It has grown into a successful family winery that bottles different labels: Scheid Vineyards, District 7, Metz Road, Ryder Estate, Stokes’ Ghost, Sunny With a Chance of Showers, and VDR.
The family’s estate vineyards are located along a 70-mile spread of the Salinas Valley. This presents a palette of microclimates and soils. Various labels reflect the different vineyards. The website notes: “While our wealth of vineyard resources is exceptional, it is our employees that are at the heart of everything we do. Much of our workforce has been with us for over 25 years, with several of our vineyard managers employed for over 40 years.”
The Scheid family—Al, Scott, Heidi, and long-time COO Kurt Gollnick—run the operation. They note they are: “passionate about crafting the best wine possible and honoring our commitment to be good stewards of the land and supporters of our local community. We are proud to produce authentic products that sit on your dinner table and invite conversation, connection and warmth.”
Metz Road Riverview Vineyard Pinot Noir, Monterey 2019 is a single-vineyard, supple, light and airy pinot. Tasty red fruits in a refined and elegant style. Excellent QPR (quality-price ratio) for a wine of this lovely character. Pair with turkey; salmon and other seafood; veal; lighter cuts of beef; French onion soup. Cheese—very versatile; pair with gruyère, comté, emmenthal, gouda; also with washed-rind cheese like epoisses, taleggio, reblochon; and old reliables like baby swiss and mild cheddar. $30-35