Cruse Wine Co. 'Monkey Jacket' North Coast 2022

Michael Cruse feels like the type of guy who makes sure everyone has a beverage before sitting down at the table. Hospitable and keenly observant, he’d immediately notice who needs to be topped off with more bubbles before the first cheers. This level of intense analytics balanced by warmth and generosity is the epitome of the wines of Cruse Wine Co. His sparkling wines are iconic in their own regard, but his still wines are not to be slept on if you want a pure, authentic expression of California terroir that is precisely antithetical to the idea of dad Cab. ‘Monkey Jacket’ is a blend of nearly equal parts organically grown valdiguié, zinfandel, petite sirah, and carignan, with a touch of tannat and pinot noir all hailing from Mendocino County, the Sonoma Coast, Napa Valley, and the Sierra Foothills. Juicy and sunkissed, it’s brightly acidic but balanced by a depth of structure and tannin that allows it to shapeshift based on the cuisine and vibe of the gathering. Roughly half the blend was fermented whole cluster and all grapes were fermented in concrete. Aging was done in a mix of 50-50 concrete tanks and used barrels and no additives were used, except for sulfur at bottling. Unfined, unfiltered, unbelievably delicious. Soft, supple, and smooth but with a slight tannic edge, it has a whisper of raspberry Mr-Sketch that is equal parts nostalgic and enticing. We love a bottle that can be dressed up or down. Organically grown, low-intervention/natural wine, vegan.