Our 2020 Pinot Noir delivers the subtle elegance that can only come from sustainably farmed, cool-climate vineyards. Key aromatics include black cherries, currants, and raspberries with notes of violets, vanilla, and toasty oak. The palate is rich, smooth, and silky with a lingering sweet oak finish. This Pinot Noir is the perfect wine to serve with salmon, pork, lamb, or soft cheeses.
Vineyards
Of all the grape varieties, Pinot Noir is perhaps the most sensitive to its terroir. It responds to every fold in the earth and every suggestion in the weather. We harvest our Pinot Noir from sites located on the northern benches of Monterey’s Salinas Valley. Here the cool, windy, foggy conditions produce wines of great character, texture, and structure.
Winemaking
Each of our estate vineyards is harvested block by block-based on flavor and ripeness rather than statistical analysis. Upon arrival at the winery, the grapes were destemmed, crushed, and fermented in open-top fermenters. Regular punch-downs of the cap over the 2-3 weeks of fermentation and maceration ensured full extraction of the color and flavors. The wine was aged with a combination of new and seasoned oak to retain the fruit and enhance complexity.
District 7 is all that Monterey as a winegrowing region has to offer. The number refers to our official regional designation within the state of California, but District 7 is much more than just a prime number. Most experts recognize Monterey County as one of the most beautiful and diverse wine-growing regions in the world with complex soils and coastal weather patterns. Our winemaking team reaps the benefits of the exceptional fruit we produce, creating wines that are fruit-forward, true to varietal character, and a delicious reflection of Monterey.
Our family has farmed wine grapes in Monterey County, California since 1972 and we are committed to cultivating a sustainable future from grapes to glass. Our vineyards and state-of-the-art winery are certified sustainable following all the best practices outlined by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. In addition to these earth-friendly practices, our winery and entire bottling operation are 100% powered by renewable wind energy generated by an on-site 400-foot wind turbine. 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.
@danandlisa looks like a previous offer sold out - I’m sure that factors into the algorithm.
We last had a half case of the 2012 from the old site and remember it being quite unremarkable but equally non offensive. We ended up gifting away half of them (and it’s a great wine for that purpose or opening later in the evening or at a gathering), and I feel it’s a step up from a sub-$20 supermarket PN. Not what my SO and I typically want when we open a Pinot, but I can definitely see why someone would want some as a cellar defender. And the price is right! Just a point of comparison. We have no experience with this vintage, however.
@knlprez It did. I bought it and it was not offensive to me. However, there were a lot of people that ordered it and poured it down the drain. It was a joke on this forum for a while on what not to buy.
@danandlisa@knlprez I had one of the bad cases, had to dump it, and have been PN-shy ever since. I truly hope this one lives up to it’s hype, think I’ll wait for more rattage before even considering …
@danandlisa@knlprez@stolicat interesting that there were so many bad bottles of the 2018! I still have half a case or so of it…I think it’s a perfectly serviceable PN that drinks above the Casemates price point. I’m considering this offering…assuming it makes a good every day wine (as long as you don’t get those bad ones!).
@danandlisa I had one of the bad cases before. Took a lot of heat just for mentioning it was undrinkable in the forum. I recently learned some folks were refunded their money and I tried to do the same but I was told it was too late. I tried to give it away but everyone I gave it to said it was undrinkable. This entire experience left a bad taste in my mouth, no pun intended.
We were excited to be chosen as Lab Rats for the District 7 Pinot. We received the wine just before we left for a vacation at Lake Tahoe. We definitely liked this wine. It is medium red in color, with notes of cherry and plum on the nose. The first taste is quite satisfying. Notes of cherry, dark fruit, and anise on the palate. It’s a nice fruit forward pinot. This is definitely a wine that over performs it’s price.
Am I psychic or mediocrebot?!! I just pulled out the rest of my District 7 2018 case (8 bottles) from last year, almost to the day. I was clearing a spot to put all the Zins we ordered this month. Then I logged in to find, well….District 7 Pinot! I’m now reading the rest of the story from last March….scary. I don’t remember it being bad but will definitely be cracking one open later today to see. Also, hoping that CM took care of all those that had a bad experience, I’m sure CS kicked in, as usual.
@kitkat34 I’m drinking a 2018 tonight. I have not had a bad bottle in this case, YET, and I’m 5 bottles in. I’m really liking it with an Italian sausage, orzo pasta, spinach, parsley meal tonight. Fruit forward PN. It’s nothing special, but better than a $20 grocery PN! At this case price I’m in for another case.
@TimW let me tell you the rest. That 2018 I opened late Tuesday had some of the smoke/tire nose, flavor off a bit. After 1 glass it went in the fridge overnight, regular cork. Wednesday night it was delicious, especially with the poblano chili chicken bowl!
To be fair to this wine I do not believe mine was flawed in any way but not to my taste profile. The lab rat on the previous offer stated it was fruity which I like in a pinot. My taste of the previous version is very earthy and heavy mushroom flavors and less fruit flavors which I do not care for at all. I do see the second rat on this vintage mentions the earthiness. YMMV with this one.
In truth, we came to this wine with tempered expectations, having previously tried the 2018 Pinot Noir with mixed results, finding it somewhat flinty. With this ambivalence in mind we invited another couple to join us in the tasting, hoping they would help us bring fresh palates and expectations to the experience. We had spent the afternoon with our sons, hiking in the woods along a shimmering lake, chuckling at their pre-teen exuberance, chatting about parenting, and taking in the early Georgia spring.
The initial pour revealed a clear ruby color and full nose of raspberry and plum, with a hint of rhubarb, pomegranate, and sumac. Our friend recalled eating wild sumac as a child, the tart red juices staining her hands and mouth.
On first taste, the wine was dry and warm with a round mouth feel. The tannins were well integrated. The dryness was fully balanced with fruity plum and a hint of cherry and chocolate. There was a hint of tobacco in the finish as well as a taste of mushrooms that evoked the mossy soil of the forest floor. We recalled our hike along the lake, the bright sun, the musty, earthy smell of the woods littered with dead leaves and pine needles, and the hints of incipient greenery peering out. This wine, with its dry earthiness and summer fruit, drank like that same promise of spring.
We paired the wine with a charcuterie/ cheese board that enhanced the metamorphic nature of the wine as the variety of cheeses and meats brought out different qualities. With a pork/ chicken pate, the earlier earthiness was most prominent; with brie, the chocolate notes emerged. With a spicy Sopressata the wine became almost neutral. For three of us, drinking with cheese and a spicy cherry jam enhanced the fruit with clove and nutmeg. One of us felt the cherry jam overwhelmed the wine.
We intended to drink this with a rosemary pork tenderloin, but the bottle didn’t last that long. We finished with the extended second pour, nibbling picnic-like at cheeses and nuts. Salted cashews and pecans made the wine almost buttery, with suggested hints of the Syrian herb mix za’atar.
In the end we concluded that this 2020 vintage, in addition to being distinct from the 2018 pinot, was a very complex and nuanced wine that did not drink like a standard pinot noir although the traditional notes were there. This wine is balanced enough to drink on its own, or pair with a variety of pork, chicken, or vegetarian dishes. It is congeniality with a range of seasoning, from traditional rosemary and holiday spices to Middle Eastern flavors. It shines with more moderate flavors, and might be overwhelmed by spicy or tomato-based dishes.
We thought paying $20 a bottle would be reasonable but at this price, we’re in for a case, I think. Oh, and drink now, cellar up to 3-5 years. But don’t wait too long, as this wine’s promised metamorphosis may be just around the corner.
@lionel47 are you a professional wine reviewer? I quote “the hints of incipient greenery peering out”. Great review! Put me over the edge to buy a case for sure.
Not throwing arrows at this wine although it’s going to come off that way. And rats make no mention. And we don’t know specific vineyard sites here. But Monterey area had what, three fires in 2020 that affected grapes? Just saying I’m one that is buying few if any 2020 CA wines from fire areas. Of course some that I buy were not produced in 2020 so that makes it easy. Just tossing that out…fwiw
@kaolis
You are correct, and on lower tiered wine like this most people wouldn’t know the difference from a smoke tainted btl, other than it’s just off.
Unfortunately the winery will sell it if it’s marginally good.
Scheid is a solid producer all in all, but it happens.
I bought two cases last time; not disappointed in the purchase, but one case would have been enough. I’m still staring at the other one…it’s a good/great value at the offer price (there is some variability in quality from bottle to bottle), but it’s overshadowed by the rest of the cases I have on hand.
District 7 is an automatic case buy. Heck, maybe even 2 case buy! I’m out of space in the cellar but the value for the price is ridiculous. This is a great quality EDC wine (Every Day Consumption).
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2020 District 7 Estate Grown Pinot Noir - $30 = 23.06%
Okay, going to give it another chance. Sounds like a very different presentation that the last one, and hopefully the funk demons won’t get to this case …
/giphy labored-versatile-flavor
@pmarin Nope, tried one, let them cellar for a long time and opened another. Tried that and it was not drinkable, Gave it to neighbors to try it and they said it was horrible. Sold a fire pit on Craigslist and when the guy picked it up he saw the wine and I told him about it and he asked what I was going to do with it. Told him the trash and he said he would take it. Must have been a bad case because no one that tasted it would drink it. Feel bad that he hauled it away really. Your mileage may vary.
@finewiner@kaolis@pmarin@ScottW58 couldn’t find any takers for ours, we were honest: “Here, this will probably make your ears bleed, but please take it”.
It was dumped in the side yard with the hope it might kill off the over-aggressive periwinkle. We checked each bottle as we went, all had that unmistakable burning-tire smell.
I still have a good amount of the 2018 left and thankfully didn’t get a bad batch like others. I’ve enjoyed it as an easy drinking pinot with some nuances to it. If I didn’t have so much left, I’d probably pick another case up.
2020 District 7 Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes
Vineyards
Winemaking
Specs
What’s Included
6-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale online, $216/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Mar 14 - Friday, Mar 18
District 7 Estate Grown Pinot Noir
6 bottles for $64.99 $10.83/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $99.99 $8.33/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
I am surprised with all the negative comments on the previous vintage, that this was brought back.
@danandlisa looks like a previous offer sold out - I’m sure that factors into the algorithm.
We last had a half case of the 2012 from the old site and remember it being quite unremarkable but equally non offensive. We ended up gifting away half of them (and it’s a great wine for that purpose or opening later in the evening or at a gathering), and I feel it’s a step up from a sub-$20 supermarket PN. Not what my SO and I typically want when we open a Pinot, but I can definitely see why someone would want some as a cellar defender. And the price is right! Just a point of comparison. We have no experience with this vintage, however.
@knlprez It did. I bought it and it was not offensive to me. However, there were a lot of people that ordered it and poured it down the drain. It was a joke on this forum for a while on what not to buy.
@danandlisa @knlprez I had one of the bad cases, had to dump it, and have been PN-shy ever since. I truly hope this one lives up to it’s hype, think I’ll wait for more rattage before even considering …
@danandlisa @knlprez @stolicat interesting that there were so many bad bottles of the 2018! I still have half a case or so of it…I think it’s a perfectly serviceable PN that drinks above the Casemates price point.
I’m considering this offering…assuming it makes a good every day wine (as long as you don’t get those bad ones!).
@danandlisa I had one of the bad cases before. Took a lot of heat just for mentioning it was undrinkable in the forum. I recently learned some folks were refunded their money and I tried to do the same but I was told it was too late. I tried to give it away but everyone I gave it to said it was undrinkable. This entire experience left a bad taste in my mouth, no pun intended.
The earlier, 2018 vintage offer, thread
1:
@vwsmaltz nice snowy wine pic! Makes a good backdrop for the wine in the glass.
@vwsmaltz thanks for the rattage. Enjoy Tahoe
Am I psychic or mediocrebot?!! I just pulled out the rest of my District 7 2018 case (8 bottles) from last year, almost to the day. I was clearing a spot to put all the Zins we ordered this month. Then I logged in to find, well….District 7 Pinot! I’m now reading the rest of the story from last March….scary. I don’t remember it being bad but will definitely be cracking one open later today to see. Also, hoping that CM took care of all those that had a bad experience, I’m sure CS kicked in, as usual.
@kitkat34 I wish they had taken care of my bad case.
@kitkat34 I’m drinking a 2018 tonight. I have not had a bad bottle in this case, YET, and I’m 5 bottles in. I’m really liking it with an Italian sausage, orzo pasta, spinach, parsley meal tonight. Fruit forward PN. It’s nothing special, but better than a $20 grocery PN! At this case price I’m in for another case.
@TimW let me tell you the rest. That 2018 I opened late Tuesday had some of the smoke/tire nose, flavor off a bit. After 1 glass it went in the fridge overnight, regular cork. Wednesday night it was delicious, especially with the poblano chili chicken bowl!
@kitkat34 @TimW That suggests some significant reduction, fwiw.
Not falling for this one again.
/giphy fool me once
To be fair to this wine I do not believe mine was flawed in any way but not to my taste profile. The lab rat on the previous offer stated it was fruity which I like in a pinot. My taste of the previous version is very earthy and heavy mushroom flavors and less fruit flavors which I do not care for at all. I do see the second rat on this vintage mentions the earthiness. YMMV with this one.
District 7 Pinot Noir
2020
In truth, we came to this wine with tempered expectations, having previously tried the 2018 Pinot Noir with mixed results, finding it somewhat flinty. With this ambivalence in mind we invited another couple to join us in the tasting, hoping they would help us bring fresh palates and expectations to the experience. We had spent the afternoon with our sons, hiking in the woods along a shimmering lake, chuckling at their pre-teen exuberance, chatting about parenting, and taking in the early Georgia spring.
The initial pour revealed a clear ruby color and full nose of raspberry and plum, with a hint of rhubarb, pomegranate, and sumac. Our friend recalled eating wild sumac as a child, the tart red juices staining her hands and mouth.
On first taste, the wine was dry and warm with a round mouth feel. The tannins were well integrated. The dryness was fully balanced with fruity plum and a hint of cherry and chocolate. There was a hint of tobacco in the finish as well as a taste of mushrooms that evoked the mossy soil of the forest floor. We recalled our hike along the lake, the bright sun, the musty, earthy smell of the woods littered with dead leaves and pine needles, and the hints of incipient greenery peering out. This wine, with its dry earthiness and summer fruit, drank like that same promise of spring.
We paired the wine with a charcuterie/ cheese board that enhanced the metamorphic nature of the wine as the variety of cheeses and meats brought out different qualities. With a pork/ chicken pate, the earlier earthiness was most prominent; with brie, the chocolate notes emerged. With a spicy Sopressata the wine became almost neutral. For three of us, drinking with cheese and a spicy cherry jam enhanced the fruit with clove and nutmeg. One of us felt the cherry jam overwhelmed the wine.
We intended to drink this with a rosemary pork tenderloin, but the bottle didn’t last that long. We finished with the extended second pour, nibbling picnic-like at cheeses and nuts. Salted cashews and pecans made the wine almost buttery, with suggested hints of the Syrian herb mix za’atar.
In the end we concluded that this 2020 vintage, in addition to being distinct from the 2018 pinot, was a very complex and nuanced wine that did not drink like a standard pinot noir although the traditional notes were there. This wine is balanced enough to drink on its own, or pair with a variety of pork, chicken, or vegetarian dishes. It is congeniality with a range of seasoning, from traditional rosemary and holiday spices to Middle Eastern flavors. It shines with more moderate flavors, and might be overwhelmed by spicy or tomato-based dishes.
We thought paying $20 a bottle would be reasonable but at this price, we’re in for a case, I think. Oh, and drink now, cellar up to 3-5 years. But don’t wait too long, as this wine’s promised metamorphosis may be just around the corner.
@lionel47 Thanks for the great write up and for taking us along on your hike.
@WCCWineGirl our pleasure. We are both writers and wine/food lovers so we enjoy the opportunities to rat. Appreciate it.
@lionel47 are you a professional wine reviewer? I quote “the hints of incipient greenery peering out”.
Great review! Put me over the edge to buy a case for sure.
@TimW we would love to do this professionally. But, no, we don’t review wine professionally. But we are both writers and collaborate on the ratting.
But, now, you’re making me think we should find a way to do it professionally. Hmmm…
Meh, I’ll give it a try!
/giphy futuristic-drab-earth
@markgm You won’t be disappointed. We were prepared to not like it and got a very pleasant surprise.
Not throwing arrows at this wine although it’s going to come off that way. And rats make no mention. And we don’t know specific vineyard sites here. But Monterey area had what, three fires in 2020 that affected grapes? Just saying I’m one that is buying few if any 2020 CA wines from fire areas. Of course some that I buy were not produced in 2020 so that makes it easy. Just tossing that out…fwiw
@kaolis
You are correct, and on lower tiered wine like this most people wouldn’t know the difference from a smoke tainted btl, other than it’s just off.
Unfortunately the winery will sell it if it’s marginally good.
Scheid is a solid producer all in all, but it happens.
I bought two cases last time; not disappointed in the purchase, but one case would have been enough. I’m still staring at the other one…it’s a good/great value at the offer price (there is some variability in quality from bottle to bottle), but it’s overshadowed by the rest of the cases I have on hand.
District 7 is an automatic case buy. Heck, maybe even 2 case buy! I’m out of space in the cellar but the value for the price is ridiculous. This is a great quality EDC wine (Every Day Consumption).
In for a case.
/giphy hypnotic-knightly-chocolate
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2020 District 7 Estate Grown Pinot Noir - $30 = 23.06%
Okay, going to give it another chance. Sounds like a very different presentation that the last one, and hopefully the funk demons won’t get to this case …
/giphy labored-versatile-flavor
We like the 2018…in for a case of the 2020!
/giphy narcoleptic-extravagant-air
/giphy spongy-ostentatious-grape
Had this on the last offer and gave it all away. This wine was not drinkable for me.
@finewiner but that was a different vintage…
@finewiner Hmm… so you know 12 people that you give undrinkable wine to? “Here, I think this wine is terrible. I’d like you to have it.”
@finewiner @pmarin One man’s trash is another man’s treasure…??
@finewiner @kaolis @pmarin
I’ve always wondered about that when I hear someone say they have gifted a wine that they think is not very good?
@pmarin Nope, tried one, let them cellar for a long time and opened another. Tried that and it was not drinkable, Gave it to neighbors to try it and they said it was horrible. Sold a fire pit on Craigslist and when the guy picked it up he saw the wine and I told him about it and he asked what I was going to do with it. Told him the trash and he said he would take it. Must have been a bad case because no one that tasted it would drink it. Feel bad that he hauled it away really. Your mileage may vary.
@finewiner @pmarin @ScottW58 Could always send it to auction…
@finewiner @kaolis @pmarin @ScottW58 couldn’t find any takers for ours, we were honest: “Here, this will probably make your ears bleed, but please take it”.
It was dumped in the side yard with the hope it might kill off the over-aggressive periwinkle. We checked each bottle as we went, all had that unmistakable burning-tire smell.
@finewiner @kaolis @pmarin @ScottW58 @stolicat
Skid-row, homeless encampment?
@finewiner @kaolis @pmarin @ScottW58 Yeah, it’s one thing if it’s sound wine that’s not to your taste. But if you think it’s actually bad??
And I just wonder why it can’t ship to AZ???
Tried to buy a case but says they won’t ship to Arizona! That’s a first for me!
/giphy touchy-wakeful-turtle
I have a brother-in-law, bless his heart, will drink anything I give him.
@ern1 yep, my daughter and her friends don’t have a problem with taking any of my “extras”
I still have a good amount of the 2018 left and thankfully didn’t get a bad batch like others. I’ve enjoyed it as an easy drinking pinot with some nuances to it. If I didn’t have so much left, I’d probably pick another case up.
Darnit I missed this! Did anyone in the NYC area get extra they wanna unload?