Today I am bringing you another “Catchup Monday” post: Scheid Vineyards: “Bringing people together to enjoy and savor life.” “Catchup Monday” is my effort to get caught up on some of the many wines we have tried this year – outside of a larger wine tasting event. It was a busy spring and summer!
THE STORY
In June, we opened this wine in our private collection, from a tasting we did at the Scheid Vineyardstasting room in Carmel-by-the-Sea.with our daughter and a friend several years ago, before the pandemic. I’m a sucker for a good Petite Sirah and we had taken a couple of these home. While I have presented a couple of Scheid wines in Decanting Monterey, we clearly need to stop by for a full tasting.
“Located at the southern tip of the Salinas Valley, just across the border from San Luis Obispo County, Hames Valley Vineyard is flanked by the Santa Lucia Range to the west and the rugged Gabilan to the east. Sheltered from afternoon winds, Hames Valley has the widest diurnal temperature swing in Monterey County (up to 50°F). It is an ideal locale for big, tannic reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Tannat, Malbec, Mourvèdre, Tempranillo, Touriga Nacional and Tinta Cão.”
You can read more about Hames Valley and all our AVAs here: Monterey County AVAs.
“Al Scheid set his roots in Monterey County in 1972, embracing his role as a pioneer of winegrowing in the region. Al’s outlook has always been that life is an adventure and this attitude served him well as he embarked on the journey of a lifetime. He has always said that if he had planned to build a family wine business, it never would have happened. Instead, he moved forward through his innate entrepreneurial spirit, relationship building, sheer hard work, a healthy dose of courage and as he’s the first to admit, more than a bit of luck.” You can read more about them here.
THE WINES
I have just one wine to present to you today from Scheid Vineyards. Winery notes come from their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
2017 Scheid Petite Sirah, Hames Valley Vineyard, Hames Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.9% ABV (#1168)
Winery Notes: “There is nothing petite about Petite Sirah. Rather it earned its name from the small size of the berries, which creates a high skin-to-pulp ratio that gives this wine its dark, inky pigmentation and high tannin levels. This workhorse variety produces some of the most powerful reds on earth and can dance along the edge of muscular versus elegant in a way like no other varietal. The trick when making P.S. is to highlight the fruit and tame the tannins. Our 2017 is ultra-ripe, full-bodied and opaque in color, as it should be. The nose is ripe and bold with blackberry jam, plum and cedar aromas. The palate is
fleshy in texture, with excellent depth, firm structure, and a long, mildly tannic finish with a hint of clove.”
My Review: Inky in the glass. Licorice and a little barnyard on the nose. Intense, smooth palate of dark fruit and spearmint. We liked this wine very much! June 2023
Carmel-by-the-Sea: SE Corner San Carlos & 7th (831) 626-WINE (9463) “Located one block from Ocean Avenue at San Carlos & 7th in historic Carmel-by-the-Sea, our Tasting Room is a warm and inviting haven to taste an array of Scheid Vineyards wines. Discover our wines, vineyards, and the wonderful diversity of the Monterey growing region while enjoying our estate grown wines.” Hours: Sunday – Thursday 12 pm to 7:00 pm, Friday and Saturday 12 pm to 8:00 pm.
Winery Tasting Room: 1972 Hobson Ave, Greenfield, CA 93927 (831) 386-0316 “Located just off Highway 101 between Greenfield and King City, our “home” location is set among the vineyards, just an hour’s scenic drive from the Monterey Peninsula and easy to find thanks to our 400ft wind turbine. Guests can enjoy our abundance of shaded and spacious outdoor patios while enjoying lawn games and more!” Hours: Daily 11 am to 6 pm.
As I mentioned in my previous post, I really feel like Decanting Monterey is getting some recognition when I start getting invited to events that are “wine trade only.” This is part 2 of my experience at the Monterey Wines Trade and Media Tasting organized by the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association in Carmel in early August. Check my blog for Part 1 from earlier this week and I will have one more next week!
It’s been a while since I have tasted Silvestri wines. I have long been a fan of their Barbera and Syrah, so it was a real treat to try these at this event.
2019 Silvestri Vineyards Estate Syrah, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $48 (#1098)
Winery Notes: “Syrah fans everywhere! Our Syrah continues to please year after year. Savor the aromas of blackberry and dried plum while enjoying the mouth-watering flavors, velvety texture along with medium tannins. Complement with sausage pizza, grilled veggies or grilled meat.”
My Review: Beautiful dark ruby in glass. Dark fruits enrobed with eucalyptus. Mouthfilling. Delicious. I had forgotten how delicious their Estate Syrah could be! August 2023
2019 Silvestri Vineyards Estate Barbera, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $75 (#1099)
Winery Notes: “Barbera is a red grape varietal originating from the Piedmont region of Northwestern Italy. Our small block of Barbera, which is the first planting of this varietal in Carmel Valley, was added to the vineyard to honor the Silvestri family heritage. It’s position on a warm southern facing slope allows this varietal to mature and ripen to its fullest potential before harvest. With the influence of French oak barrel fermentation and maturation our Barbera exudes a deep richness and complexity that helps balance the grape’s high acidity.
“Black cherry, dried strawberry and plum aromas blend through to like flavors and move on to full, soft tannins with sufficient acidity. A more refined yet full-flavored Barbera.”
My Review: Hammy bacon on the nose, like BBQ ribs. Dark fruit on the palate. Yummy. August 2023
2019 Silvestri Vineyards Red Ranger Estate Syrah, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $75 (#1100)
Winery Notes: “The 2019 Red Ranger is the 7th release of our signature Syrah that represents a part of the vineyard featuring the Bien Nacido clone, which is known for its richness and complexity. We use 75% new French oak and age it in the cellar for 16 months…
“Red Ranger rocks! That consistent depth of flavor, roundness and long finish are all here. Blackberry, black currant and a trace of fig lead to the full mouthfeel, just the right acidity and long, luscious finish. Try with a sausage stew and roasted meats, or aged hard cheeses.” 93 points, 2023 Wine Enthusiast buying guide!
My Review: Inky in glass. Rich palate of dark fruits highlighted by some woody notes. My favorite red wine of the day. August 2023
I do miss Rexford’s tasting room in Carmel Valley. It sat quietly next to Parsonage, where COraal Wine Co. is today. We’d stop in to talk to the vintner from time to time. He makes one heck of a delicious Chardonnay and Merlot. But today I decided to try their Zinfandel. We just don’t seem to have the right climate for Zinfandel, yet I continue to seek one out.
2019 Rexford Zinfandel, Gillian Enz Vineyards, Lime Kiln Valley AVA, San Benito County, 15.5% ABV, $37 (#1101)
Winery Notes: “Lime Kiln Valley is a small viticultural area located in the San Benito County south of Hollister. The area features soils of decomposed granite and limestone, with warm days and cool nights that lead to a long growing season producing balanced wines with great depth. We think that Sam’s great grandparents produced wine from grapes grown here more than a century ago so we are pleased to offer this Zinfandel. Aged in American oak and bottled without fining or filtration, the wine is full-bodied with rich berry flavors and a smooth finish. Enjoy it with barbecue, grilled meats or pasta.”
My Review: Garnet in color. While our region is not known for its Zinfandel, this Rexford wine is not bad for a lighter Zinfandel. August 2023
2019 Opaque Darkness Red Blend, El Pomar District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.9% ABV, $30 (#1102)
Winery Notes: “The word “opaque” means “impenetrable to light” and refers to the dark, inky, impenetrable color of the Riboli family’s proprietary blend. Opaque Darkness brings together the impressive quality of our estate grown Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah grapes. After aging in French and American barrels for 15 months, our hand-crafted artisan blend reveals ripe flavors of raspberry and blackberry with notes of spice and vanilla. Enjoy the darkness!”
My Review: Inky in color. Dark fruit berries not overdone. Very balanced. Really quite delicious. A superb value. August 2023
At the Scheid table, we were introduced to a couple of family wine lines I had not heard of before. These two wines were lots of fun and perhaps the polar opposites, showing the range of what Monterey County can produce.
Sunny with a Chance of Flowers: “Sunny is made for mindful wine lovers – who, like us, believe less can be more. Zero sugar, fewer calories and less alcohol, yet still positively delicious! It’s everything you want in a wine and more –certified sustainable, vegan and gluten-free.”
VDR – Very Dark Red: “Very Dark Red—the name speaks for itself. Effortlessly bold, it captivates the senses with an inherent confidence that draws you in. Slightly mysterious, yet unexpectedly approachable, this robust red blend reveals new layers of depth and personality with each lingering sip.”
Sunny Positively Bubby Rosé, Monterey County, 9% ABV, $20 (#1103)
Winery Notes: “Everything is better with bubbles! Our Sunny Bubbly delights with flavors of fresh strawberry and watermelon wrapped in a package of lovely, fine bubbles and a crisp, refreshing finish. We are all born to sparkle…Aromas of fresh strawberry and watermelon. Lovely, fine bubbles. A crisp, refreshing finish.” 91 points – Wine Enthusiast and Best Buy
My Review: Pale pink. Cantaloupe flavors. Very bubbly and light. Zero sugar. Made from Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. August 2023
2020 VDR (Very Dark Red) Proprietary Red Blend, Hames Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $25 (#1104)
Winery Notes: “Very Dark Red—the name speaks for itself. VDR is a non-traditional proprietary red blend headlined by a rare combination of Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot – two grape varietals known for their extraordinarily deep violet hues, concentrated flavors and full-bodied profiles. Big and bold, VDR not only turns heads, it turns the curious into evangelists with its layered complexity, lush mouthfeel, supple tannins and smooth, lingering finish.” https://www.cheersandco.com/
My Review: Inky in the glass. Dark fruit and caramel on the nose. A rich, jammy palate of dark fruit. Very tasty – a great value. August 2023
I think anyone who has met Sabrine Rodems would agree that she is a formidable talent in the Monterey winemaking world. She makes wine for Kori, Scratch, and Wrath, all in the same building at Wrath Wines. Her talent, creativity and stamina are equally impressive. I fell in love with Wrath’s San Saba Syrah many years ago and knew, when I tried the Wrath Ex Dolio Falanghina, that she was one to think outside the box and dare to be different.
I’ve had Scratch wines a few times and finally visited her cute, trendy and spacious tasting room in Carmel Valley Village. I was delighted to chat with Sabrine a bit on this day and taste some more of her wines.
2022 Scratch Rosé of Pinot Noir, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 12.8% ABV (#1105)
Winery Notes: N/A
My Review: Bright pink in the glass. Fuji apple and great flavors on the palate – bright and delicious. August 2023
2021 Scratch C47 Marsanne/Roussanne White Blend, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $59 (#1106)
Winery Notes: “These two Northern Rhone varietals grown in Carmel Valley from the Paloma Creek Vineyard are traditionally blended together. The slightly crisp nature of Marsanne with white nectarine, quince & lemon balance out the creamy Roussanne with fig, peach, pear and a little nuttiness.”
My Review: Melon on the nose. Creamy from the fruit with an attractive sweetness at the finish. August 2023
2019 Scratch C47 Red Blend, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, Santa Cruz County, 14.5% ABV, $95 (#1107) Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Winery Notes: “Classic Bordeaux blend from the Santa Cruz Mountains. Cab Sauvignon and Cab Franc from the steep slopes of Janaca Vineyard. Merlot harvested from the high elevation of the Zayante Vineyard. Black berries, blueberries with hints of juniper & spices all come together in this blend, creating a sophisticated and age worthy bottle to enjoy now or in the future.”
My Review: An attractive dark garnet in color. Lots of berry flavors, yet retains a lean nature. August 2023
We had met Greg Hill at the Monterey Winemakers’ Celebration back in June, so it was great to see him here and try another of his wines. We are big fans of our newest and youngest wineries and believe Tira Nanza shows great promise. I previously reviewed his Cabernet Sauvignon here.
Winery Notes: “Back by popular demand, our 2022 Malbec Rosé may differ from its predecessor in color but it shares the same vibrant fruit and complexity that made the ‘21 so special. Lighter in color and more tropical in flavor, with notes of strawberry, cantaloupe and mango, this Rosé can be enjoyed in any setting. Fermented and aged in Stainless Steel”
My Review: We detected floral notes on the nose and palate, with anise on the finish. It was served very cold. August 2023
THE TASTING ROOMS
Most of these wineries have tasting rooms in Carmel-by-the-Sea or in Carmel Valley – please check their websites for more information.
Cassandra recently visited her friend’s godparents in East Bay. The godfather was from Monterey and served them a delicious Ranch 32 Cabernet Sauvignon. When I needed an American “Claret” – a blend of Bordeaux varietals made in the U.S., I found out that Ranch 32 makes a Meritage! I did some digging and discovered that “Meritage” is one way of referring to such a blend. I don’t see the “Meritage” nomenclature very often any more – it was quite the thing for a while.
This map from Ranch 32’s website shows the location of their estate vineyards.
About Ranch 32: “This is the place where we first planted vines in 1972 when winegrowing was in its infancy in Monterey County. The specialness of the region was understood, but it would take a few decades for the vineyards to reach their full potential. Ranch 32 is about highlighting the natural characteristics of the terroir and conveying the taste of place. Each vintage, we produce small lots of wines from our sustainably farmed estate vineyards that represent the best of the appellation. From the renowned Arroyo Seco AVA, we craft our Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Further south from the San Lucas and Hames Valley AVAs, we bring you our Cabernet Sauvignon.” “100% Powered by Wind”
About San Lucas AVA from their website: “Originally land that served as an open range for cattle grazing in the 1800s, the San Lucas appellation is located on the southwestern edge of the Salinas Valley and is comprised of sweeping alluvial fans and terraces.” You can read more here: https://www.ranch32wines.com/place/san-lucas
About Hames Valley AVA from their website: “Located at the southernmost tip of Monterey County, the Hames Valley appellation has its own unique climate. It sits at the foot of the Santa Lucia Mountains, with rolling hills dotted by ancient oak trees.” More here: https://www.ranch32wines.com/place/hames-valley
BevMo Review – 85 points: “Aromas of blackberries and dark plums with overtones of mocha and dark chocolate; well-integrated tannins lead to a long, layered finish.”
My Review: Ruby in the glass with a lovely, rich bouquet of dark fruits: plum, berry, oak and a touch of cherry. The palate was balanced, quite drinkable and fresh, with a touch of tangerine on the finish. This wine is young. It opened up into nice, round flavors over time. I bought this at BevMo for $29.95 and got a second bottle for 5 cents – will hold onto that one and see what happens! June 2021
Buying Ranch 32 Wines: You can buy Ranch 32 wines at BevMo.
*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.
Today’s post gets really fun, as we are venturing to the southern most tip of Monterey County’s 9 AVAs – through the Monterey AVA on down to San Lucas and Hames Valley AVAs!
When driving down Highway 101, you will see that Scheid’s vineyards stretch along almost the entire Salinas Valley down to the San Luis Obispo County line! (Map courtesy of Scheid Vineyards)
On its website ( https://www.scheidvineyards.com/), Scheid describes the San Lucas appellation as having “sunny days tempered by cooling ocean breezes. Here, the days are warmer and longer, yet cool down quite dramatically when the sun goes down. Fruit-forward and softly-textured wines are the hallmark of this region, known for producing an outstanding array of varietals.” And they describe the Hames Valley as having “long, warm days that make this an ideal area for sun-loving reds. This region produces balanced, full-bodied wines of intensity, such as Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot and Malbec.”
The “yin yang” of the 50/50 melded into a delicious wine!
About the 50/50: Scheid describes the 50/50 Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah as “yin yang” – “complementary opposites that interact within a greater whole as part of a dynamic system” – combining the “rich, polished and powerful” Cabernet Sauvignon with the “supple, fruit-forward and a little sassy” Syrah. They describe the 2017 50/50 as possessing “the structure and dark fruit flavors of Cabernet Sauvignon and the softness and jammy fruit of Syrah, combining to present a delicious example of elegance and power in one glass. Aromas of blackberry preserves and plum accented with notes of sage and smoky spices will convince you that soul mates really do exist.” The 50/50 comes from their Mesa del Rio Vineyard in the Monterey AVA, plus their San Lucas and Hames Valley vineyards. This unfiltered wine was aged 16 months in American, Hungarian and French small oak barrels for secondary fermentation and aging. 480 cases produced.
My Review: Blackberry and plum on the nose, smooth round palate of dark berries, lingering flavors. Euphoric. One of the best Central Coast wines we have tasted recently. Super yum. Highly recommend. December 2020
2016 Scheid Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Kurt’s Vineyard, San Lucas AVA, 14.8% ABV (#248*)
The 2016 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Kurt’s Vineyard from Scheid’s webpage.
About the 2016 Kurt’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from their website: “Kurt Gollnick our COO, chose a 10 acre plot to plant his favorite variety, a micro site that is capable of growing world class Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is dark and concentrated with aromas of blackberries, boysenberries and elderberries with notes of chocolate, hazelnuts, toasty oak and a hint of violet. The palate delivers rich, juicy black fruit flavors followed by soft, integrated tannins and a long lingering finish.” Aged 20 months in oak barrels. Unfiltered.
My Review: Garnet in color with a jammy blackberry nose with caramel notes. Juicy palate of yummy blackberry and cherry, with licorice and mint on the finish. I really liked this wine. January 2021
You can order Scheid wines directly from their webpage. Their tasting rooms are open daily for outdoor tasting. You can make a reservation and get more info here: Visit Scheid.
Scheid’s tasting room in Carmel-by-the-Sea!
*Refers to wines tasted while Sheltering in Place on Sharon’s personal Facebook group “Sharon’s Central Coast (Monterey) Wine Blog” – including non-Central Coast wines.
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