Cruse Wine Co. "Monkey Jacket" 2020

2020 Monkey Jacket 92WA
Cruse Wine Co.
Mendocino, CA
$22.99 on 3+ (3saves2)
$24.99 otherwise

Cruse Wine Co, "Monkey Jacket", Valdiguie, Tannat Syrah 2019I have had a few of these over the years and it is quite the impressive little wine.  Complex, composed, and generous as it always delivers, but is never over the top.  My impressions of this wine are a California version of what a Northern Rhone from Saint-Joseph or Crozes-Hermitage delivers.  Complex, deep red fruits with spice and savory notes.  Blows away just about every cotes-du-rhone in this price range and above.

Tiny production, just 3,000 cases!  Not only is it a blend of several grapes, it is from several different vineyards from several different California AVA.  A true "California Wine" that is a blend of different terroir across different California AVA.

There is just a tiny bit of the 2018.  But 2019 was also a great vintage in most of California, no impactful fires and ideal growing conditions!

• Varietal Breakdown: 53% Valdiguié, 14% Carignan, 14%
• Red Field Blend: 8% Petite Sirah, 8% Tannat, 3% St. Laurent, 1% Pinot Noir
• AVA Breakdown: 58% Mendocino, 31% Solano, 7% Napa Valley, 3% Carneros, 1% Sierra Foothills
• Alcohol: 12.5%

2020: 92pts Robert Parker WA
The 2020 Monkey Jacket has a medium ruby-purple color and pretty aromas of cranberries, raspberries and rhubarb with touches of tea leaves, powdered sugar and dusty earth. The palate is light-bodied, bright and juicy, offering a core of fragrant fruits and a gentle tanginess to the acidity that makes your mouth pucker and drives you to take another sip. This is so easy to drink!