The Crusher

2009 ROSÉ of PINOT NOIR

Pouring a light shade of ruby, summertime strawberry and plum aromas leap out of the glass. Secondary notes of rose petals, raspberry, and peat emerge, showing the varietal character of the Pinot Noir. On the palate, juicy, ripe plum avors give way to kiwi, strawberry and a hint of cranberry in the mid-palate, and a subtle white chocolate and mocha nuance. The nish is mouth-coating, and lingers with currants and cranberries. Full-bodied and layered, the rich fruit avor makes this a red wine drinker’s rosé—rich enough for grilled fare, but crisp enough for a hot summer day. Grilled ribs with a brown sugar BBQ sauce, a tri-tip sandwich, or mildly spicy Pad Thai would pair perfectly with this limited release summer wine.

Made in a “saignée” style, this Pinot Noir rosé was cofermented with 13% Viognier juice after resting on the crushed skins for 48 hours, which lends additional oral aromatics and boosts the mouthfeel. The high glycerin content of the Viognier creates a full, velvety texture and a perceived sweetness in this dry rosé. Predominantly stainless steel fermented for maximum freshness, just 4% of the wine was aged in one-year old oak barrels for 4 months, adding a touch of complexity.

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.