www.montereycountynow.com July 4-10, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 37 CHILL There are many reasons why Pinot Noir has earned favored varietal status. Despite its weak will on the vine, despite the many— over 1,000—clones, not all of which are bottle worthy, there is a finesse to the wine that can bring expression to terroir even a few dozen yards apart. For example, the 2021 Pinot Noir by Corral Wine Co. plucked from one part of the Santa Lucia Highlands yields a pleasant and expected profile—fresh fruits wrapped by a faint bittersweet zest and whispers of dusty spice. Corral’s 2021 Estate Pinot Noir, hand-harvested from the Bell Ranch Vineyard near Corral de Tierra, is something different. Coy on the nose, it wants only to reveal gentle notions of red cherry and ripened berries. But there is a darker notion covered by this friendly yet distant greeting which becomes evident when the wine is sipped. Released from its aromatic blanket, the wine becomes more evocative—rich, with black cherries, pomegranate and berries set to juice. The flavors are dense, but in a smooth balance, tended by an earthy tug of clove. And it’s still a young wine, one with the promise of becoming even more engaging. Winemaker Adrien Valenzuela produced this beauty from two of the preferred clones, 115 and 777. He gave it a spell of open-top fermentation and rested the wine in French oak, 25-percent new. There is a plush, rose petal mouthfeel that belies the more reserved bouquet. It’s an interesting Pinot, and one to hold onto. Corral Wine Co., 19 E. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. 298-7646, corralwine.com. Beauty Noir It may seem as if every winery does Pinot, but Corral Wine Co. shows there are differences. By Dave Faries SEND IDEAS TO: chill@montereycountynow.com DAVE FARIES Spanish Guitar by Cat Broz 5-8pm Thursdays & Fridays Validated Parking 136 OliVier St. MOnterey near Old FiSherMan’S WharF (831) 644-9007 WWW.benihana.cOM OPen daily FOr lunch and dinner exPerience the Original Make 4th OF July Weekend reSerVatiOnS! ♦ 3 Card Poker ♠ Century 21st No Bust Black Jack ♣ Texas Hold’em ♥ Baccarat FULL BAR! BLACKJACK BONUS POINTS PAYS UP TO $20,000 SMALL TOWN BIG PAYOUTS! 1-800-Gambler • Gega-003846, Gega-Gega-003703, Gega-000889 Gega-000891 Gega-002838 The Marina Club Casino ensures the safety and security of all guests and team members at all times, while providing exceptional service. 204 Carmel Ave. Marina 831-384-0925 casinomonterey.com ♠ ♣ ♥ ♦ Just minutes from Downtown Monterey Where Monterey Comes To Play
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