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Cruse Wine Company, Red Blend Monkey Jacket North Coast, 2022

Red Wine from California, United States
by Cruse Wine Company
$24.99
Taxes and shipping calculated at checkout.
Use code 10OFF to get 10% off 12+ bottles

Michael Cruse has built a reputation for crafting some of California’s most exciting and unconventional wines, and Monkey Jacket is his ode to the overlooked potential of the North Coast. Rather than chasing high-alcohol power, Cruse focuses on freshness and drinkability, blending Valdiguié with heritage varieties like Carignan, Syrah, and Tannat. The result is a red that’s playful yet complex, offering a throwback to the lighter, bistro-style wines of old California.

Bright cranberry, wild strawberry, and black cherry form the backbone, lifted by floral notes and a hint of white pepper. The palate is juicy but structured, with a core of zippy acidity and fine-grained tannins that keep everything in balance. Unlike the bigger, oakier blends of Napa and Sonoma, Monkey Jacket leans into its natural energy—delicious slightly chilled, effortlessly drinkable, yet serious enough to intrigue.

A perfect match for roast chicken, grilled sausages, or even a simple burger, this is a red built for versatility and fun. Pop it open now and enjoy its youthful vibrancy, or hold for a few years to see how its layers unfold.

Shipping

Every step of the journey is managed to uphold the integrity of each bottle.

  • Nationwide Access: Flat-rate shipping available to most U.S. states with delivery in 3-5 business days.
  • Temperature-Monitored Shipping: We closely monitor weather conditions and make informed decisions to ensure shipments travel safely, with insulated packaging and refrigerated transport available when required.
  • Wine-Specific Protective Packaging: Specialized materials designed to maintain label integrity and prevent breakage during transit.
  • Provenance Assured: All wines are maintained in climate-controlled conditions at our shop until the moment of dispatch.

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  • Corked wine? Full refund or exchange within 60 days
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Hours

Sunday - Thursday: 12 pm - 8 pm

Friday: 11am - 9pm

Saturday: 10am - 9pm

Email: help@flatiron-wines.com
Phone: (212) 477-1315

More about Cruse Wine Company

Michael Cruse studied biochemistry and built his California winery on the science of winemaking. In 2013 he launched Cruse Wine Company to make fruit-driven wines from lesser-known varieties—Valdiguie, Carignan, Tannat, St. Laurent. The flagship Monkey Jacket is a cult classic. Named San Francisco Chronicle Winemaker of the Year in 2016, Cruse proves that oddball can also be serious.

Wine Details

  • Grape Variety

    Carignan , Petite Sirah , Red Blend , Syrah

  • Vintage

    2022

  • Size

    750ml

  • Farming Practice

    Sustainable

  • Sweetness

    Dry

  • Body

    Medium Bodied

Flatiron's Take

From the Importer

What has to say about this wine:

Tasting Notes & Food Pairings

Perfect Pairings

grilled steak, braised beef, roasted lamb, smoked meat

Tasting Profile

Dark cherry, plum, and spice with herbal notes. Full-bodied with firm tannins, bright acidity, and a long, spicy finish.

Michael Cruse might no longer be the new kid on the block but his wines are still the freshest around. The wines of Cruse Wine Co. are crushable homages to modern Californian cuisine and culture. Cruse helped revolutionize the image of what California wines can be and was one of the first proponents of a more balanced and delicate style. In 2016, he was recognized by the SF Chronicle and named Winemaker of the Year. Sadly, since the secret is out, his wines don’t stay on the shelves too long. Now is your chance to get your hands on some of the best locally made wines around that push the envelope!

What makes Cruse wines a must for your wine rack is that these are wines made for the type of local and ethnically diverse food we’re actually eating, and for the outdoor park-chilling life we will one day get back to. These aren’t stodgy extracted Cabs and Chards of yesteryear that demand big hunks of meat or floods of butter and heavy cream. These are light, energetic wines that know how to move with the spice of a Baja fish taco and are down to take a bit of chill for a refreshing glass al fresco.

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