A Wine for Tonight: 2011 The Crusher Rosé of Pinot Noir



By Kori ~ April 5th, 2012.

Would you like a quick suggestion for a good wine to drink tonight (or this weekend) that won’t break your budget and is widely available? Many of our readers have said this is something they would like, so here is this week’s selection, the 2011 The Crusher Rosé of Pinot Noir from the Clarksburg region of California.

Our selection criteria include:

  • A very good Quality rating of >=3.5 stars (out of 5)
  • A price tag of <=$15
  • Must be widely available

The Crusher is produced by Don Sebastiani & Sons. The Sebastiani name has been synonymous with quality winemaking in California for over 115 years. Sourced from Merwin Vineyard in the Clarksburg AVA, The Crusher is a tribute to the fundamental relationship between the grower and the winemaker. Winemaker Greg Kitchens joined Don Sebastiani & Sons in 2001.

“100% sourced from the Merwin Vineyard in the heart of the up and coming Clarksburg appellation, our 2011 Rosé of Pinot Noir is rose petal pink in the glass, displaying a fragrant bouquet of wild strawberry, apricot and rose hips notes. A nicely balanced mélange of tangerine, strawberry and subtle Key Lime flavors follow, leading to a crisp palate cleansing finish. Vibrant, racy acidity and a light to medium body make this a wonderfully versatile food wine as well as a great summertime sipper.” –Greg Kitchens, winemaker

2011 The Crusher Rosé of Pinot Noir (Merwin Vineyard, Clarksburg, California): Pale pink. Aromatic with watermelon, raspberry, and strawberry on both the nose and palate. Dry and light to medium-bodied with lively acidity and a long, refreshing finish. A nice wine to enjoy on the porch as the weather gets warmer.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 4 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $10.99; Available elsewhere, $9 to $14


Filed under: A Wine for Tonight, American Wine, California Wine, Pinot Noir, Rose Wine, Wines Under $15, Wines Under $20, Wines Under $25

Reader's Comments

  1. Jon Rogers | October 19th, 2012 at 5:46 pm

    If you happen to like Cabernet Sauvignon, their 2010 cab was very good.

  2. Kori | October 20th, 2012 at 5:57 am

    Thanks for the recommendation. We’ll have to check it out. Cheers!

  3. Jon Rogers | October 22nd, 2012 at 9:15 am

    No problem. Great site btw. I added winepeeps to the recommended list on my site. Cheers back!