2020 District 7 Pinot Noir, Estate Grown, Monterey, California
Tasting Notes
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.
Specs
Vintage: 2020
Appellation: Monterey
Aging: 35% new French oak, 14 months
Alcohol: 13.5%
pH: 3.83
Total Acidity: 5.5g/L
Vegan Friendly
What’s Included
6-bottles:
6x 2020 District 7 Pinot Noir, Estate Grown, Monterey, California
Case:
12x 2020 District 7 Pinot Noir, Estate Grown, Monterey, California
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.
The last time it came out, the reviews afterwards became a punchline. I ordered it and it is a long time consumed. Many people did not like it. I thought it was the worth the money. Would I buy it again, no. I have way too much better wine to drink.
@danandlisa I like the 2018 better than the 2020, but at this case price I would buy it again if I didn’t already have some or I needed an everyday red wine.
@CruelMelody Mine was not drinkable, I poured out two bottles and gave the case away. I should have requested a refund as it was basically horrible. I had several people try it and they all came to the same conclusion. Perhaps I was unlucky and got a bad case.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2020 District 7 Estate Grown Pinot Noir - $30 = 23.07%
Well controversy aside, since that previous offer in February the teams at Wine Enthusiast and Decanter saw fit to review this wine:
Wine Enthusiast. 90 Points. Editor’s Choice. This is a value-priced bottling with plenty of satisfaction inside. Crushed slate, strawberry and bay leaf aromas lead the nose into a palate that’s warmed by sandalwood, wrapped in a tense frame and still generous with dried cherry, baked cranberry and orange rind flavors. MK 5/1/22
Decanter World Wide Awards. 90 Points. Silver Medal. Fresh red fruit scent with herbal notes. Structured, weighty palate with ripe strawberry. A wine of interest, overdelivering for the price.
Reverse Wine Snob just offered this in September. $72/6-pack. The 2020 District 7 Pinot Noir opens with berry and rhubarb aromas on the nose plus some nice earthy, black tea and cola notes. It’s a very good start.
Tasting the wine reveals lots of smooth cherry, raspberry and strawberry fruit along with nice touches of cola, mint, licorice and a little more earthiness. Quite easy to drink and with nice acidity and a smooth vibrant mouthfeel, this is a crowd-pleasing Pinot. It finishes dry and long with all the flavors from the palate lingering, especially the fruit.
We’ve recommended this wine in the past, but this is one of the better vintages that we’ve tasted. Stock up Pinot lovers! 89-90 Points.
@kaolis hmm did not realize the wind power. I did not like my last case—still have quite a few and no interest in drinking them when there are other things around. The wind seals it for me I think and pretty certain I will discard the rest. Nothing like trashing the landscape with that turbine crap.
@kaolis@Maurakid Instead let’s trash the landscape with fossil fuel GenPlant/Refinery emissions? Passive impact on viewsheds like with solar or wind are far preferable to active emission of CO2, carcinogens, PM2.5 particulates, etc. Then let’s get worked up about the transmission lines for clean power!!!
Or, we could all just drink some wine together… yeah, let’s do that second one.
I still have a couple from the last offering. I felt it was fine. Nothing exciting or great. Drinkable. My notes said it was better after about an hour being opened. But my wife and I decided we wouldn’t buy it again if it came up.
The Rattage from the last offer led me to pick up a case in February. I did not share the same experiences. I was not a fan and wound up giving most of it away and bringing it out for consumption at gatherings after people had a few glasses of other wine. I don’t remember it improving either with some breathing nor on the next day. the reviews cited above do not reflect my experience, perhaps a few months in the bottle settled it down and opened it up.
Work going kinda NUTS, but here’s my TL;DR Rattage:
Day 1 ripe plum color not too thin looking. detectable oak. was going to say “red fruits” but eventually a cherry taste made its way from the tongue to the notes. Paired with the pomegranate pork chops they recommended (EXCELLENT WORK ALICE getting me the bottle so far in advance).
With those chops in pom glaze, the oak jumps more to the front of stage, but not objectionably. Fruit recedes a bit. DW liked this. She’s more picky than I.
Stored on counter overnight capped, Day2: sweeter a little, but still not a sweet wine. oak still there, now w Bramble (a first for me to note) Meat lovers pizza w added green chile was no problem for the wine.
Lab rat checking in. I’m so sorry I’m late, just got off a plane and completely spaced.
This is a simple, delicate, delicious Pinot. It is smooth with good acidity. I would have pegged this as RRV, not Monterey. Transparent, light color. Smells of cherries. Drinking well now but benefited from air. I’d give it 2-3 years for optimal knitting together.
The flavor profile reminds me of a much simpler version of Iron Horse. I have fond memories on the original rpm tour of Pinot and duck confit with cherries. This would be awesome for that. Also a crowd pleaser for your Thanksgiving gatherings. Not for you if you prefer your Pinot earthy.
I would have pegged this at more like $15-20. Will definitely be buying at this price.
Going to see if I can get my photo in the glass to upload and then I’ll add that here.
Honestly I had good results with the original offer about 2 years ago. I didn’t have any that made me think like the negative reviews that were posted at that time about bad/foul/ruined. And certainly the recent reviews and rattage for this batch are very encouraging. At this price I would buy again if I weren’t overflowing already.
Just wondering if there was ever any analysis of “what happened” with the previous ones? Was there really a “bad batch” that got bottled along with the rest? It seems hard to believe it was just a difference in personal preference, with so many reporting “pour it down the drain” as opposed to “not my preferred style of PN.” Given the experience of the audience here, I would think most would have tasted a variety of PNs which can differ quite a lot, but so many reporting so negatively was really weird. And again that was not my experience with my case.
@pmarin@salcorn is this the Pinot where some were getting burnt tire on the front? I should read back thru that other offer but I’m pretty sure it was.
@kitkat34@pmarin Yes, and there is definitely a subtle hint of that in all the earthy/bret characteristics, but not in a way that I would say qualifies it as a flaw.
@pmarin@salcorn thanks, so I checked and still have a few left. My initial thought was to hold and then hopefully they would improve. My wife seems to enjoy them now and it does get better with air, as @aces219 stated earlier.
So many great wines from this site and the original. I appreciate all the past suggestions and the chance to learn about wine from this knowledgeable group, and the great prices. I could not drink the previous offering of this wine and couldn’t understand the many positive reviews. Tried several bottles over an extended time period, all the same. I couldn’t gift it. All down the drain. I admit to limited experience with PN prior to that offer, but it put me off PN. Interested to see if that was just a one off.
I actually did some experiments with the offering from a couple of years ago because of all the disagreements. We distributed bottles to our twelve work wine group members separately and collected opinions. Three raved about it (I was one) and three hated it. The others were neutral. I had the haters bring their half-finished bottles in to work the next day and then had them taste mine. They thought mine was good. But the punch line is: they also changed their opinion on their own bottle when served it blind! So I don’t think it was a bad batch, I think it is natural variation in people’s response to the earthy/bret side of pinot noir, especially the first time they encounter it. And in addition to familiarity, a day of air may help with that, too.
@bunnymasseuse@salcorn@strongry that really is fascinating how much it might be based on perception and expectations, and we know PN taste can be very subjective.
though I wouldn’t rule out some actually flawed cases as reported by multiple buyers that would be familiar with at least part of the broad PN spectrum.
EDIT in first post I said objective, which is the opposite of what I meant: subjective.
2020 District 7 Pinot Noir, Estate Grown, Monterey, California
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
AZ, 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, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Nov 7 - Tuesday, Nov 8
2020 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
Dang 2 deals in a row with no Indiana
The last time it came out, the reviews afterwards became a punchline. I ordered it and it is a long time consumed. Many people did not like it. I thought it was the worth the money. Would I buy it again, no. I have way too much better wine to drink.
@danandlisa I like the 2018 better than the 2020, but at this case price I would buy it again if I didn’t already have some or I needed an everyday red wine.
There was definitely some variation in what people received. My case was fine quality, maybe a bit boring.
@CruelMelody Mine was not drinkable, I poured out two bottles and gave the case away. I should have requested a refund as it was basically horrible. I had several people try it and they all came to the same conclusion. Perhaps I was unlucky and got a bad case.
@CruelMelody @finewiner It was not a good wine for us either.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2020 District 7 Estate Grown Pinot Noir - $30 = 23.07%
Previous offering of the 2020 (with rattage): 2020 District 7 Estate Grown Pinot Noir
Well controversy aside, since that previous offer in February the teams at Wine Enthusiast and Decanter saw fit to review this wine:
Wine Enthusiast. 90 Points. Editor’s Choice. This is a value-priced bottling with plenty of satisfaction inside. Crushed slate, strawberry and bay leaf aromas lead the nose into a palate that’s warmed by sandalwood, wrapped in a tense frame and still generous with dried cherry, baked cranberry and orange rind flavors. MK 5/1/22
Decanter World Wide Awards. 90 Points. Silver Medal. Fresh red fruit scent with herbal notes. Structured, weighty palate with ripe strawberry. A wine of interest, overdelivering for the price.
Reverse Wine Snob just offered this in September. $72/6-pack. The 2020 District 7 Pinot Noir opens with berry and rhubarb aromas on the nose plus some nice earthy, black tea and cola notes. It’s a very good start.
Tasting the wine reveals lots of smooth cherry, raspberry and strawberry fruit along with nice touches of cola, mint, licorice and a little more earthiness. Quite easy to drink and with nice acidity and a smooth vibrant mouthfeel, this is a crowd-pleasing Pinot. It finishes dry and long with all the flavors from the palate lingering, especially the fruit.
We’ve recommended this wine in the past, but this is one of the better vintages that we’ve tasted. Stock up Pinot lovers! 89-90 Points.
fwiw
@kaolis My Rattage does NOT conflict w this official review.
@kaolis hmm did not realize the wind power. I did not like my last case—still have quite a few and no interest in drinking them when there are other things around. The wind seals it for me I think and pretty certain I will discard the rest. Nothing like trashing the landscape with that turbine crap.
@kaolis @Maurakid Instead let’s trash the landscape with fossil fuel GenPlant/Refinery emissions? Passive impact on viewsheds like with solar or wind are far preferable to active emission of CO2, carcinogens, PM2.5 particulates, etc. Then let’s get worked up about the transmission lines for clean power!!!
Or, we could all just drink some wine together… yeah, let’s do that second one.
No shipping to VA this time around? We got it in the Feb offering…
I still have a couple from the last offering. I felt it was fine. Nothing exciting or great. Drinkable. My notes said it was better after about an hour being opened. But my wife and I decided we wouldn’t buy it again if it came up.
The Rattage from the last offer led me to pick up a case in February. I did not share the same experiences. I was not a fan and wound up giving most of it away and bringing it out for consumption at gatherings after people had a few glasses of other wine. I don’t remember it improving either with some breathing nor on the next day. the reviews cited above do not reflect my experience, perhaps a few months in the bottle settled it down and opened it up.
Work going kinda NUTS, but here’s my TL;DR Rattage:
Day 1 ripe plum color not too thin looking. detectable oak. was going to say “red fruits” but eventually a cherry taste made its way from the tongue to the notes. Paired with the pomegranate pork chops they recommended (EXCELLENT WORK ALICE getting me the bottle so far in advance).
With those chops in pom glaze, the oak jumps more to the front of stage, but not objectionably. Fruit recedes a bit. DW liked this. She’s more picky than I.
Stored on counter overnight capped, Day2: sweeter a little, but still not a sweet wine. oak still there, now w Bramble (a first for me to note) Meat lovers pizza w added green chile was no problem for the wine.
ENDORSE!
@kls_in_MD oy so many typos…
Lab rat checking in. I’m so sorry I’m late, just got off a plane and completely spaced.
This is a simple, delicate, delicious Pinot. It is smooth with good acidity. I would have pegged this as RRV, not Monterey. Transparent, light color. Smells of cherries. Drinking well now but benefited from air. I’d give it 2-3 years for optimal knitting together.
The flavor profile reminds me of a much simpler version of Iron Horse. I have fond memories on the original rpm tour of Pinot and duck confit with cherries. This would be awesome for that. Also a crowd pleaser for your Thanksgiving gatherings. Not for you if you prefer your Pinot earthy.
I would have pegged this at more like $15-20. Will definitely be buying at this price.
Going to see if I can get my photo in the glass to upload and then I’ll add that here.
DIPLOMAT! RAT-A-TAT! FAT CAT! AWESOME!
Honestly I had good results with the original offer about 2 years ago. I didn’t have any that made me think like the negative reviews that were posted at that time about bad/foul/ruined. And certainly the recent reviews and rattage for this batch are very encouraging. At this price I would buy again if I weren’t overflowing already.
Just wondering if there was ever any analysis of “what happened” with the previous ones? Was there really a “bad batch” that got bottled along with the rest? It seems hard to believe it was just a difference in personal preference, with so many reporting “pour it down the drain” as opposed to “not my preferred style of PN.” Given the experience of the audience here, I would think most would have tasted a variety of PNs which can differ quite a lot, but so many reporting so negatively was really weird. And again that was not my experience with my case.
@pmarin @salcorn is this the Pinot where some were getting burnt tire on the front? I should read back thru that other offer but I’m pretty sure it was.
@kitkat34 @pmarin Yes, and there is definitely a subtle hint of that in all the earthy/bret characteristics, but not in a way that I would say qualifies it as a flaw.
@pmarin @salcorn thanks, so I checked and still have a few left. My initial thought was to hold and then hopefully they would improve. My wife seems to enjoy them now and it does get better with air, as @aces219 stated earlier.
@aces219 @kitkat34 @salcorn I think I still have some, but they are in the “East Cellar” which is 2800mi away.
@pmarin and I thought my wine is spread out…
@kaolis @pmarin ha. Someday I’ll have another “cellar”. The many wines that are downstairs and then the ones I take with me to my grave!!
So many great wines from this site and the original. I appreciate all the past suggestions and the chance to learn about wine from this knowledgeable group, and the great prices. I could not drink the previous offering of this wine and couldn’t understand the many positive reviews. Tried several bottles over an extended time period, all the same. I couldn’t gift it. All down the drain. I admit to limited experience with PN prior to that offer, but it put me off PN. Interested to see if that was just a one off.
Oddly, the risk of a bad batch makes this more intriguing. In for a case.
I actually did some experiments with the offering from a couple of years ago because of all the disagreements. We distributed bottles to our twelve work wine group members separately and collected opinions. Three raved about it (I was one) and three hated it. The others were neutral. I had the haters bring their half-finished bottles in to work the next day and then had them taste mine. They thought mine was good. But the punch line is: they also changed their opinion on their own bottle when served it blind! So I don’t think it was a bad batch, I think it is natural variation in people’s response to the earthy/bret side of pinot noir, especially the first time they encounter it. And in addition to familiarity, a day of air may help with that, too.
@salcorn Very interesting, thank you.
@salcorn @strongry Great feedback!
@bunnymasseuse @salcorn @strongry that really is fascinating how much it might be based on perception and expectations, and we know PN taste can be very subjective.
though I wouldn’t rule out some actually flawed cases as reported by multiple buyers that would be familiar with at least part of the broad PN spectrum.
EDIT in first post I said objective, which is the opposite of what I meant: subjective.
@salcorn Yay science!