Our 2013 The Crusher Merlot is expressive, with focused aromas of black raspberry, mocha and fennel fronds along with a hint of smokiness. Juicy, slightly tart flavors of plum and blackberry contribute to the bright acidity of this wine and are accompanied by cocoa powder and dried strawberry notes. On the finish, toasty French oak influence comes through as caramel, warm spice and cinnamon stick. Try our medium-bodied Merlot with spaghetti and meatballs, spicy jambalaya or roast chicken.
The Clarksburg AVA is an up and coming wine region located in California’s Sacramento Delta. The area was quickly discovered by grape growers attracted by a micro-climate which closely mirrored that of nearby Napa Valley. The soils here are a combination of poorly-draining clay and rich loam, meaning the vines experience nutrient-rich, and sometimes arid conditions. During the growing season, warm days give way to cooling afternoon breezes from the San Francisco Bay, dropping temperatures down 30 to 40 degrees from their daytime highs. This mass of cool air allows wine grapes to retain more acidity than those grown in similarly warm regions.
The 2013 harvest was a winemaker’s dream. The weather was ideal, fruit was sound, quantity was plentiful and quality was top-notch. It was also one of the driest seasons on record. Overall, winter was fairly mild and spring bud break was normal with little to no concern of frost. The summer growing season was marked by moderate temperatures making for exceptionally good harvest conditions. Though there were a few heat spikes in early summer, they were followed by moderate temperatures in July, August and September allowing all varietals to achieve optimal ripeness levels.
For more than 115 years, the Sebastiani name has been synonymous with quality winemaking in Sonoma County. Likewise, the Wilson family has been growing grapes in the Clarksburg region south of Sacramento since 1922. Created in tribute to the multi-generational partnership these two well-regarded wine families have enjoyed, The Crusher is fittingly named for the point where the fruit of one family’s labors literally gives way to those of the other.
