Tannat
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 5–12 years from the vintage release, as its powerful tannin structure allows it to age gracefully.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Grilled ribeye steak, slow-cooked cassoulet, strong blue cheese
✨ Technical Specifications
Scheid Vineyards' estate-grown Tannat is a bold exploration of a grape historically famous for its fierce tannins in South West France's Madiran region. In the warm, sheltered microclimate of the Hames Valley AVA in southern Monterey County, Scheid has found the ideal terroir to coax out the grape's rich, dark fruit character while softening its rustic edges. The dramatic diurnal temperature shifts of Hames Valley—where hot days are followed by chilly nights cooled by breezes from Monterey Bay—allow the grapes to achieve phenolic ripeness and concentrated flavors while preserving vibrant natural acidity. Aged in oak barrels, this single-varietal bottling showcases Tannat's signature ink-dark color, robust structure, and complex layers of blackberry, plum, and spice, offering a California twist on an Old World classic.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 1972 by Al Scheid, Scheid Vineyards is a pioneering wine estate nestled in the heart of Monterey County's Salinas Valley in California. Over five decades, the family-owned operation has expanded across twelve distinct estate vineyards, leveraging the dramatic maritime cooling of the Monterey Bay to cultivate diverse grape varieties. Committed to forward-thinking stewardship, the winery is entirely powered by renewable wind energy and follows rigorous certified sustainable farming practices. Scheid Vineyards is celebrated for its diverse portfolio of vibrant white, red, and rosé wines, producing acclaimed varietal bottlings such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Albariño, and Barbera, alongside handcrafted cuvées like the Claret Reserve.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Tannat