The Crusher

2008 Clarksburg Petite Sirah

The Crusher Petite Sirah 2008 pours a dark, inky purple— classically Petite Sirah. Breaking away from other hard, heavy Petite Sirahs, this wine’s aroma leaps out of the glass with fresh blackberries, toasted walnuts, and a toffee-like edge. It is incredibly aromatic and bright, like smelling a fresh rose. The wine transitions on the palate to rich, creamy blueberry flavors, a full-bodied, milk chocolate mouthfeel, and caramel oak nuance. Rich and soft, it evokes thoughts of cocoa butter and nutmeg. Velvety, mouth-filling tannins lead to a faintly sweet, strawberry finish. The bright, juicy fruit flavors of this wine are nicely balanced by its darker, caramel flavors and well integrated oak.

Mushu pork or Szechwan beef with a sweet chili sauce would be excellent pairings with the dark but aromatic qualities of this Petite Sirah. A plum sauce would also marry with this wine particularly well. For backyard grilling, a juicy sirloin burger with Sonoma jack cheese often pairs well with red wine and our Petite Sirah would be a fantastic example of this combination. Try this for dessert: spiced poached pears with the wine left over after dinner. The rich, dark, creamy flavors of our Crusher Petite Sirah will meld with the pears and take this dessert to a whole new level.

Sourced from the upcoming Clarksburg appellation, The Crusher is a tribute to the fundamental relationship between the grower and the winemaker. From the vineyard to the crusher to your table, The Crusher captures the freshness of this world-class growing region, which is just beginning to emerge on the wine scene.