Cruse Wine Co. Nouveau Napa Valley Valdiguié 2017

Michael Cruse is renowned for his prowess with micro-production Californian sparkling wines, and perhaps equally so for his eponymous label of unique varietals long forgotten in California, many bottlings focused on Valdiguiandeacute;, what was long ago known as andquot;Napa Gamayandquot;. The Valdiguiandeacute; grape is found on the Eastern hills of Napa, as well as Chiles Valley and Suisun Valley, some of the satellite appellations just outside the border of Napa Valley; only 21 acres remain planted today. Here, often dry-farmed, it contributes light and sweet hints of red fruits, good acidity and hints of earthy spices. andquot;Nouveauandquot; wines are traditionally not macerated long at all andndash; evidenced by the brilliantly light color andndash; and are released the same year as the harvest, generally without any influence of oak. Cruseand#39;s Nouveau is fun and snappy, and as he says, like andquot;watermelon Jolly Ranchers with a thirst-quenching acidity.andquot;

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