New Release: 2015 Dolcetto
Here at Scheid, we adore Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but we’ve also been known to work with a plethora of slightly more obscure grape varieties, and we feel proud to be able to show off the wonderful diversity of the Monterey growing region. The many varied soil types and micro-climates of Monterey County allow us to produce close to 40 different varietals in all. Our newest darling is Dolcetto, which hails from the famed Italian region of Piedmont (Piemonte). The name translated, means “little sweet one,” which doesn’t refer to the sugar content, but rather is an endearing moniker for this much loved yet lesser-known variety. The moderate climate and coastal fog that define our estate Riverview Vineyard provide a favorable local site for what is one of Northern Italy’s premier varieties.
Our inaugural vintage exudes dense, dark fruit and a medium body made for early enjoyment. Flavors of ripe black currants and red cherries lead to a hint of pepper and finish with juicy, supple tannins. The 2015 growing season delivered a stellar vintage in terms of quality although yields were down in almost all of our vineyards. Despite a lighter crop from one of the earliest seasons on record and a fourth year of drought, quality was high across the board. A mild winter caused early bud break and was followed by protracted bloom, and cool, cloudy weather in May—impacting berry set and contributing to smaller grape clusters and crop size. The silver lining to the lower yield was the exceptional quality, with vivid, intense flavors. The wine is part of our November Vin’s Club release and small quantities will be available in our tasting rooms. With just barely over 100 cases produced, this “little sweet one” will disappear rather quickly. Visit us soon to try this limited bottling before it’s gone. Salute!