Cruse Wine Co.

Red Blend 'Monkey Jacket'

Red Blend 'Monkey Jacket'

Red Blend Monkey Jacket Cruse Wine Co

The 2018 Monkey Jacket is 51% Valdiguié from vineyards carefully selected and located in Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma, and Suisun counties. The synergy of these diverse terroirs showcase the beauty of Northern California, while still remaining accessible.

Approximately 20% of the blend was fermented whole cluster. All of the grapes were fermented in concrete and then pressed into older French oak barrels, a few puncheons, concrete tanks, and a small amount of stainless steel with an eye on transparency of fruit. Malolactic occurred naturally with the wine receiving a light sulfur addition immediately before bottling.

Info

Producer:
Vintage:
2020
Country:
United States
Region:
California
Appellation:
North Coast
Variety:
Blend - Other
Color:
Red
Farming Practice:
Sustainable

Sizes Available

Full Bottle US-CRU-02-20 12/750ml

Press & Reviews

John Gilman
Score
91
Date
2023-11-09
"Michael Cruse,s 2020 Monkey Jacket is made from a very eclectic blend of Valdigui,, Carignan, Petite Sirah, Tannat, St. Laurent, Pinot Noir and unknown field blend. The wine is fermented in cement vats and raised in a mix of older oak barrels and puncheons. Twenty five percent of the blend is whole cluster. The wine comes in at 12.5 percent octane in 2020 and offers up a bright and complex bouquet of red and black cherries, beetroot, woodsmoke, gentle meaty tones, a hint of cola, lovely spice tones and gentle cedary notes from the older oak. There is a bit of volatile acidity here as well, on both the nose and palate, but it is manageable. On the palate the wine is bright, full-bodied and juicy at the core, with good focus and grip, moderate tannins and fine length and grip on the well-balanced finish. This takes a bit of time in decanter to properlyblossom and the wine changesdramatically once it has had a chance to stretch its wings. Once it settles in, it is very tasty. "

REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES