Pale-medium ruby color; raspberry, pomegranate, boysenberry, cherry, blood orange, earth, violets on the nose; black cherry, raspberry, cranberry, strawberry, licorice, oak on the palate.
Dry; medium-plus body; plush, full in the mouth with savory-meaty notes. Light tannins; balancing acidity (3.79 pH). 100% pinot noir; grapes hand-picked. Whole-cluster pressed, fermented in small lots in open-top fermenters. Punch-downs three times a day to extract color and tannin. After fermentation, must gently pressed into stainless steel tanks for settling, then racked into French oak barrels, 30% new, for 13 months. 14.5% ABV
The Scheid Family Wines product has a tart element and a brooding quality, interesting for a pinot. Casey Di Cesare is the winemaker. Metz Road focuses on small, single vineyard wines. This not only comes from a single vineyard, it ferments with in-vineyard, native yeasts. A portion of the must was un-inoculated so native vineyard microflora could initiate fermentation. Mix of 115, 777, Calera, Pommard clones—pretty standard lineup for Monterey pinots.
The winery notes: “Our estate Riverview Vineyard is a 340-acre, cold-climate (Region 1), sustainably farmed, benchland property that overlooks the Salinas River. It is situated on the east side of the Salinas Valley just below the Pinnacles National Park. This property features granitic soils, great exposure, and little protection from the strong winds that scrub the valley every afternoon. It is planted to an assortment of varieties, clones, and rootstocks specifically matched to the various micro-climates, soils, and aspects of the terrain. The namesake Metz Road runs alongside the property.”
Patriarch Al Scheid started Scheid Family Wines in 1972 when the Monterey County wine region was in its infancy. In the beginning, Scheid only sold grapes. It grew into a successful family winery that bottles different labels: Scheid Vineyards, District 7, Metz Road (this is exmaple), Ryder Estate, Stokes’ Ghost, Sunny With a Chance of Showers, Grandeur, Fog & Light, and VDR.
Al Scheid died in April 2023 at age 91. The company noted: “Up until his death at 91 years of age, he could recall details from his youth, every deal he ever did, and meetings that happened years before, all in hilarious detail.” The Scheid family—Scott, Heidi, and long-time COO Kurt Gollnick—run the operation today. 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 2020 delivers some tartness, earthiness, and swagger. Single vineyard fermented with yeast from the vineyard. Good structure. Some heft for a pinot noir, but this is caused by the vineyard and winemaking decisions, not by blending—this is 100% pinot noir from a single vineyard. Because of the single-vineyard focus, only 63 barrels made, so this may take some looking to obtain, but worth it. Pair with poultry, including turkey and duck; lighter beef dishes; veal; lamb; venison; salmon and other seafood; freshwater fish. Cheese—fresh cheeses, mixed milk cheeses, soft goat cheeses; burrata, mozzarella, feta, mascarpone, rocchetta. $30-35
