www.montereycountynow.com OCTOBER 3-9, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 39 CHILL Believe it or not, it is possible to grow numb to the allure of Pinot Noir when there are so many standout examples. Grapes from the Santa Lucia Highlands are noted for the bright, fruity wines they produce, vintage after vintage. Winemaker Miguel Lepe lets the terroir speak for itself. His intervention comes in time-honored form, measuring whole cluster fermentation, malolactic conversion and new oak— in this case 50, 100 and 20 percent, respectively—with the potential of the grapes. In the recently released 2023 Lepe Cellars SLH Pinot Noir, the result is a wine that stands on its own, but at the same time is more food-friendly than many others. On the nose it intrigues you with impressions of black cherries, both freshly picked and lightly cured, as well as ripe red berries and a soft floral flutter. But there are some imposing notions—dried herbs and wispy smoke. A sip is flush with juicy cherries, a sensation that frisks about until calmed by a wave of richer fruit. Within this are swirls of vanilla and spice, trundling under a floral whisper. The Lepe Pinot from the Santa Lucia Highlands (he has a second, culled from other county AVAs, for a different take on terroir) is lush, yet not overtly fruit forward. Despite its depth in flavor, it is not jammy. So it will pair beautifully with many dishes. It is a Pinot that sets itself apart, but perhaps not for long. Lepe produced only 50 cases of the excellent 2023 vintage. Lepe Cellars, Dolores between Ocean and 7th, Carmel. 597-2029, lepecellars.com. Lepe Faith Winemaker Miguel Lepe’s practice of letting the grapes tell their story does pay off. By Dave Faries SEND IDEAS TO: chill@montereycountynow.com DAVE FARIES Voted BEST Appetizer/Small Plates ’24 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 THIN CRUST PIZZA SALADS & CALZONES TAKE-OUT TODAY SOURDOUGH PIZZA SEASIDE’S FINEST 720 BROADWAY AVE. SEASIDE PASTA & SUBS BEER ON TAP DESSERTS EAST COAST PIZZAS NY style, thin crust w/ butter & garlic. 14” has 6 slices. 18” has 8 slices. WEST COAST PIZZAS SF sourdough crust w/ garlic olive oil. 14” has 6 slices. 18” has 8 slices. STUFFED CALZONES Made from pizza dough, stuffed w/pizza sauce, garlic, mozzarella cheese, and a sprinkle of basil. (Onions upon request). 831-899-1762 DELIVERY AVAILABLE DINE-IN TOO
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