Launching our new Wine Collection next week!
“But it’s the Cruse Wine Co. wines that best express who Michael Cruse is as a winemaker. Against a landscape that often feels dominated by either top-shelf Cabernet or acidic European emulations, the Cruse wines aim to reimagine what “table wine” can be: fruity, quaffable, affordable. And more than anything, they’re intensely loyal to their California origins.” –Esther Mobley, SF Chronicle
The flagship wine of Cruse Wine Co. is the red blend Monkey Jacket (the name inspired by an old, British sailor song). This wine embodies all the things Cruse Wine Co. is meant to be, as it’s a blend of Valdiguie, Carignan, Tannat, St Laurent and mixed field blend reds and provides incredible drinkability with brightness and ample structure. In addition to Monkey Jacket, Michael also makes small lots of single vineyard varietal wines from Valdiguie, Tannant, Syrah, Carignan and Chardonnay.
WINES
MONKEY JACKET, NORTH COAST
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A departure from our previous blends, there is no dominant variety. Valdiguié now shares the table with Carignan, Petite Sirah, Mixed Reds, and Syrah. The nose is incredible, with violets, and darker red fruits. It is earthier and less green than previous iterations, more minty than sappy, and more cherry than raspberry. The palate is deeply savory with grilled notes and a bright acidity. The finish is clean and simple with more refined tannins.
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ALDER SPRINGS TANNAT
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A juicy, crunchy red wine from the cool climate vineyard of Alder Springs in Mendocino county. Ripe fruit with cedar and graphite giving this wine elements of Bordeaux, while still being purely Californian.
CHARLES HEINTZ SYRAH
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This Syrah is from Charles Heintz vineyard in Occidental, a cool site at the extremes of ripening Syrah in western Sonoma county. The 2021 vintage created an environment for lower alcohol and lighter tannins. The nose is floral and olive toned, with hints of smoked meat, while the palate i
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