www.montereycountynow.com MARCH 26-APRIL 1, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 39 CHILL If someone were to mention Négrette, most people would draw a blank. A Spanish soccer star? A village in France, perhaps? Close. It’s a fragile winegrape that travels under different names—Pinot St-George in California, until the feds told the few growers that accuracy matters (the 1990s was a different time)—and is most often deployed in blends. The grape is rare outside of southwestern France, but Comanche Cellars winemaker Michael Simons found some grown in San Benito County and, well, turned it into a single varietal wine. And that, as it turns out, is a good thing. The 2022 Dog & Pony Négrette is an experience. Moody in color and introspective on the nose, it becomes an effusive wine from the first sip. The dark, dense fruit evident in the bouquet bursts onto the palate in the form of wild berries, with a cranberry bite. It’s a sharp, acidic wine. At the same time, however, there is a leathery weight that burdens savory notes of dry herbs and black licorice. Drifting through this is an elusive floral note and just a whisper of vanilla. Comanche Cellars’ Négrette is a wine that confounds your senses—balanced yet pronounced, fruit-forward without gushing over the top. The strapping sensation suggests tannins, but Négrette is a wine meant to be poured young rather than aged. It is a generous wine that deserves more notoriety. Comanche Cellars, 412 Alvarado St., Monterey. (831) 747-2244, comanchecellars. com. Dark Star Although few wineries dabble in Négrette, Comanche Cellars makes it a standout. By Dave Faries SEND IDEAS TO: chill@montereycountynow.com DAVE FARIES ♦ 3 Card Poker ♠ Century 21st No Bust Black Jack ♣ Texas Hold’em ♥ FULL BAR! BLACKJACK BONUS POINTS PAYS UP TO $20,000 SMALL TOWN BIG PAYOUTS! 1-800-Gambler • GEAR-000383, GEAR-000376, GEAR-000375 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 INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING AND TAKEOUT Eat + Drink ’25 BEST RESTAURANT IN MONTEREY COUNTY! JOIN US NIGHTLY FOR DINNER AT 4:30PM TWO HAPPY HOURS DAILY 4:30-6PM & 8-9PM 3-Course Early Menu, $59, 4:30-6pm Daily Call or go to sardinefactory.com for details, reservations. 701 Wave Street, Monterey, 831-373-3775 OPEN EVERYDAY for DINNER at 4:30pm Offering all your favorites plus wine, cocktails, bottle and draft beers. Now Serving Snake River Farms’ American Wagyu Prime Rib. 763 Wave St., Monterey | 831.373.3778 | thewhalingstation.com ’25 Best Steak Fisherman’s Wharf’s Newest Restaurant Serving Fresh Seafood, Pasta, Steaks, Sandwiches Open Daily at 11:30am Great views at the end of the Wharf #1 www.rockfishmonterey.com • 831.324.4375 Monterey’s MOST Recommended Pizzeria Open at 4pm Mon-Thurs • Open at 3pm Fri Open at 12pm Sat.& Sun. 725 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey giannispizzamonterey.com 831-649-1500 BEST PIZZA ’98-’24 BEST PIZZA PLACE ’25 Wood Fired Pizzas, Burgers, Pasta, salads, sandWiches and more 11:30am mon-Fri, 10am Sat & Sun melvilletav.com 484 Washington St., Downtown Monterey 831.643.9525 haPPY hour Food & drinK sPecials Sun-Thurs 4-6pm WEEKEND BRUNCH WITH BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS 57 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey 831-373-1851 www.abalonetti.com ’25 LUNCH & DINNER SERVED DAILY from 11:30am-8:30pm Monterey County’s Best Calamari Indoor and Outdoor Dining on the Dog Friendly Patio Tapas (Happy) Hour 4:30–6pm Nightly Sunday Brunch 9am–1:30pm 700 Munras Ave., Monterey | 831-375-0176 | estebanrestaurant.com ’25 Best Appetizers/ Small Plates BEACH HOUSE RESTAURANT + BAR @ LOVERS POINT ★ CASUAL CALIFORNIA DINING INDOOR & PATIO DAILY AT 4:30PM 620 OCEAN VIEW BLVD. PACIFIC GROVE 831-375-2345 • BEACHHOUSEPG.COM LOVERS POINT BEACH CAFE OPEN DAILY, 9AM–4PM ’24 Best Restaurant in Pacific Grove
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