40 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 23-29, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com CHILL Petit Verdot is the heavyweight fighter no one wants to take on. Winemakers will spar with the varietal, blending in a dab here or there to add some punch to a blend. But, as Scott Kuramura of A Taste of Monterey points out, rarely does it make up more than 8 percent of the mix, otherwise its strapping tannins and bursting fruit might pummel the rest. But the team at Scheid Family Wines’ Odd Lot label shrugs at convention. Actually, it’s more of a “why the hell not?” attitude that led to their 2022 Odd Lot Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot blend—with a hefty 20 percent of the latter. So intense, jammy aromas of blackberry and black cherry swirl from the glass, almost smothering the plum niceties of Petite Sirah struggling for attention. Yet the wisdom behind the Petit Verdot roundhouse truly emerges on the palate. Given the powerful fruits on the nose, one would anticipate the same when sipped. But Petit Verdot is also favored for its floral bliss. It becomes a deftly nuanced wine, with notions of fig and vanilla, fresh herbs and meadow flowers to round out the dense berry compote. From the gentle waft of violets to the rustic sensation of stone and tobacco smoke, as well as the taut leather on the finish, the straightforward red blend becomes a wonderfully contemplative yet still broad-shouldered wine. Odd Lot can be found online and at local shops. A Taste of Monterey keeps it in stock, by the bottle or glass. A Taste of Monterey, 700 Cannery Row, Monterey. 646-5446, atasteofmonterey.com. beoddwines.com. Cross Up With a heavy dose of Petit Verdot, Odd Lot produces a surprisingly refined red blend. By Dave Faries SEND IDEAS TO: chill@montereycountynow.com DAVE FARIES LOCATED BEHIND THE PORTOLA HOTEL & SPA | COMPLIMENTARY PARKING (831) 649-2699 | PETERBSBREWPUB.COM HAPPY HOUR THE BIG GAME 4PM TO 6PM SUNDAY | FEBRUARY 9 OPEN 2PM TO 8PM MONTEREY’S FAVORITE SPORTS BAR CATCH ALL YOUR FAVORITE TEAMS ON 18 HDTV’S 831-324-4282 110 Central Ave, Pacific Grove www.ilvecchiorestaurant.com Now ServiNg weekeNd BruNch 8am-11:30am Lunch 11:30am -2pm dinner 5pm-9pm Store CloSing 40% gifts and Vitamins [everything goes] The Garden Song 225 Forest Ave. Pacific Grove [across from Grove Market] 1-831-656-9771 11:30 - 4:30pm Tuesday through Sunday off Sale e d e e d e 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 Valentine’s Day Reservations!
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