Pelerin Wines

Chris Weidemann hasn't quit his day job as the cellar master and consultant at Paraiso Winery in Soledad. This enables him and his wife Cathy to utilize the Paraiso facility and run their own business Pelerin (2002). The minute 2,300 case production is some of the best hand-made wine in Monterey--but not without the countless hours of hardwork. The Weidemann family handles everything themselves: accounting, blending, sales management... Below are a couple of their products, that shouldn't be over-looked.

2007 Pelerin Sangiovese "Mesa Del Sol Vineyard", Arroyo Seco - 14.5% alcohol, $20 at Star Market in Salinas - If this were a person, it'd be the sophisticated one at the party acting mellow. There were many nuances co-existing harmoniously. Expect aromas of red Twizzlers, black licorice and dust.

2007 Pelerin (50% Zinfandel, 50% Syrah) "RTW", Monterey County - 14.8% alcohol, $15 AT Grove Market in Pacific Grove - If this were a person, it would be the big, loud guy at the party that everyone has to love. Its blueberry and black pepper characteristics come through because of the Syrah added. It gets its plummy, fruit-forward quaffability from the dose of Zinfandel. To learn more, visit: www.pelerinwines.com

Rose' War

2010 Chateau d'Aqueria, Tavel, France ($19.99 at Nielsen's Market)
This wine had an intensely dark color for a rose'. Lindsay (my girl) and I had this in Carmel with our friend's Mike and DeeAnn and enjoyed it with the sunset and hors d'oeuvres. This was more like that of a light red (think Beaujolais). I don't like rose' that's that darkly colored or that expensive. We liked this, but it wasn't worth the price.




2010 Quinson & Fils, Provence, France ($4.99 at Trader Joe's)
This was lightly colored, simple and easy to quaff. It was dry and fresh although, it did have some nice aromas of watermelon. We sipped this one down at Lover's Point and we realized that you don't need to have a lot of money to have class. I prefer this one over the Tavel and you can buy four bottles for the same price.

Crozes-Hermitage

2006 Chapoutier "Les Meysonniers" Syrah - Crozes Hermitage, France
The lavender and black pepper traits might make people get the word Syrah tattooed on their biceps. Although this wine is mostly syrah, a touch of viognier is blended in. The color looks a like squid just shot its ink into a glass. With a smoky, salty bacon fat quality, the wine is rustic, gamey and good. You can’t find this in Safeway! Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

2005 Crozes-Hermitage "Les Meysonniers" M. Chapoutier ($228 case) - no barnyard although many Crozes do have some funk. This one was super tannic but no real signs of Brett. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2013 

Corbieres

2004 Chateau Mattes-Sabran Syrah – Corbieres, France.
With black pepper, rosemary, sage and more, people may forget that a little old vine Carignan is blended in. That’s why it’s so bold. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2011 

Columbia Valley Syrah

2005 Waters Syrah, Columbia Valley 8/30/07 - there was more lavender than bacon and its pepperiness displayed a clean elegance. No terrior. They must irrigate. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

Central Coast Syrah

2005 Edna Valley Syrah "Paragon", S.L.O. - this was tasted on 9/2/07 and the alcohol was 13.9%. It had a metallic character without being as jammy as some Australian Shiraz's. The climate seemed just cool enough for it to be considered a balanced wine. The color is deep purple like that of lascivious velvet. It tastes peppery and something leads me to believe it's from a hot climate without being over-extracted. This seems to taste like granite rocks that display great minerality. The bacon fat in the nose and Caramel character make me think this would be a good pairing with the tri-tip that's cooking in the oven. There's tons of marble fat waiting for this tannic yet elegant, velvet wine. I have a head-ache, but it's not from this wine that costs only $12 a bottle. The headache stems from the time out in the sun and actually, I feel it fleeting. Last tasted 2007 Drink now 

Arroyo Secco Syrah

2005 Morgan "Goats du Crow" 50/50 Grenache/syrah - Monterey a blonde hot chick reading a book and eating strawberries on Carmel Beach. She's into it! This tasted like the green leafs of under ripe strawberries with partially under ripe and overripe character. Prune and then sour jolly rancher candy. Real light like a Pinot would be. Last tasted 2007 Drink now 

2004 Pelerin "Mesa Del Sol" Syrah, 9/14/07 - table 64 wants a local syrah, so what better than this gem? The blueberry, Andersen's Pea Soup, lavender, and violets nuances are welcomed by any primordial hunter-gather. It appears black and concentrated in the glass without being over-extracted. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2012 