Cruse Wine Co. “Monkey Jacket” 2019

Cruse Wine Co. “Monkey Jacket” 2019

Grapes: 53% Valdiguié, then mixed Carignan, Petite Sirah, and Tannat

ABV: 12%

Region: Mendocino, North Coast, CA

Winemaker: Michael Cruse

Viniculture: Organic vineyards

“cranberry and sweet red apple”

Cruse Monkey Jacket is a fantastic red wine made by Michael Cruse, who founded his California winery with a goal to highlight true California wines–not just the popular Cab and Chard. A wealth of interesting and unique grapes like Valdiguié grow in old vineyards all over California, and many of them were planted by Italian immigrants over the last 150 years. 

The Monkey Jacket is named after an old sea shanty, and this year's blend is 53% Valdiguié with the remainder being old vine Carignan, Petite Sirah, and Tannat. It's bright, juicy and red-fruited with notes of cranberry, violets, rosemary and sweet red apple. Drink it with turkey, chicken, or roasted veggies.