Metz Road is the road that
fronts the Riverview Vineyard in Monterey County. This 215-acre parcel is home
to Chard and Pinot, what Scheid calls a “Burgundian landscape,” a cooler plot
just above the Salinas River and buffeted by winds coming from the Pacific
Ocean. Using Chardonnay clones 96, 4, 76 and 78 there are tangy notes of
persimmon, lemon verbena, tangerine, a mild spiciness on the finish, and a
bright freshness from its inherent acidity. It walks that fine line between
oaked and un-oaked, possessing a solid structure and mouth feel. Part of that
is its time in barrel – after fermentation the wine was moved into French oak
barrels for 18 months, while just 42% of those barrels were new, and therefore
some of the more caramel and buttery notes are present but not overwhelming. This
is an enjoyable Chardonnay with a multi-layered approach.
2,917 cases
ORIGIN: Monterey County,
California
ALCOHOL: 14.5%
PRICE: $29.99 (750ML)
SCORE: 91 POINTS
