#452 Crushing

Since the Sebastiani brand was sold to Consolation in 2001, Don Sebastiani's side project - Cecchetti-Sebastiani Cellar - has been through many changes, so much so that it is easier for you to look at the website and see the timeline!  Having said all that, the resulting company, Don Sebastiani & Sons, is attempting to get a foothold in the UK by importing through World Wide Agencies (Bath).  I tried three of their wines. 

2010 The Crusher Wilson Vineyard Viognier 

Pretty peach aromas, very floral with a honey note and spring flowers.  There is some pear on the nose as well that is very nice.  The palate has a minerality with some apricots, a little zing from some lemon and sweeter baked tropical fruit.  Very well balanced, nice coconutty elements too.  Very clean finish and great value at ten pounds.  89pts

2010 The Crusher Wilson Vineyard Pinot Noir

Cranberries on the nose, a little jammy but not too bad and then quite restrained afterwards.  A lovely balance of fruit, savoury notes of smoked oats and a tiny amount of fresh flowers - maybe violets?  The palate has lovely structure, a bit of earth thrown in with some blueberry muffin and a little spice on the finish.  Very nice.  88pts

2010 The Crusher Clarksburg Petite Syrah

I love trying American Petite Syrah, but I was a touch disappointed with this one.  It was a decent wine, but lacked the finesse of the other wines I tried.  There were nice tobacco, earth and leather aromas mingling with some strawberries and prunes.  The palate has a bright fruit flavour with some spice and then I got a little burnt sugar coming through before a little clumsy oak.  Having said that, I could be being a bit critical here.  85pts

All in all, a rather tasty Pinot Noir, a disappointing Petite Syrah that I had hoped would be much better, and a terrific value Viognier all for less than a tenner.