Cruse Wine Co. is a small but very highly regarded winery in Sonoma making some top red blends, pet-nat and some of the best traditional sparkling wines in California. Owner/winemaker Michael Cruse is one of the most thoughtful and engaging producers in the region, continually trying new blends and refining his understanding of his wines.

This Syrah is from Charles Heintz vineyard in Occidental, a cool site at the extremes of ripening Syrah in western Sonoma county.

The fruit was fermented whole cluster in a concrete tank for 16 days with very light and gentle foot treading. The resultant wine is dark and very floral, rustic, and bloody. There are notes of wet pine needles and oil-cured olives. The texture is steamy and tannic.

We’re rereleasing this wine as we think the extra time has calmed it’s rustic natural and increased the drinkability. This interpretation of Syrah acknowledges the Northern Rhone while still being purely Californian.

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• Vintage: 2019 Format: 750ml Minimum Order: 12 bottles Country: USA Region: Northern California Varietal(s): Syrah

• 90 POINTS, VINOUS
  The 2018 Monkey Jacket is aromatic, light on its feet and refreshing, all of which make it an absolute joy to drink now. Perfumed floral notes and sweet crushed red berry fruit add to a feeling of freshness. In 2018, yields were a bit higher for the Valdigui, so it is more prominent in the blend than in years past.