Dreaming Tree Crush Red Blend

Dreaming Tree Crush Red Blend is a 750ml California red blend from North Coast at 13.5% ABV, built from Merlot, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, and Tannat aged 17 months in oak. The 2021 vintage earned 91 points from The Tasting Panel Magazine and 90 points from Wine Enthusiast, underscoring its consistency as a serious over-performer in its price tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: North Coast, California  |  Style: Multi-Varietal Red Blend  |  Winemaker: Sean McKenzie in collaboration with Dave Matthews

Production & Heritage

Dreaming Tree is a collaboration between musician Dave Matthews and veteran winemaker Sean McKenzie. The Crush expression blends four grape varieties — Merlot, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, and Tannat — all sourced from North Coast vineyards in California. The wines are periodically racked during barrel aging to clarify the juice and develop a smooth tannin structure; after approximately 16–17 months in oak, the individual varieties are blended to create the final cuvée. The project also carries a notable sustainability commitment: bottles weigh 50% less than the industry average, labels use recycled paper, and corks are sustainably grown.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe raspberry and black cherry lead the nose, followed by layers of plum, caramel oak, and cedar. Subtle baking spice and a wisp of smoke emerge as the wine opens up in the glass.

Taste: The entry is juicy and fruit-forward, with raspberry jam and dark cherry flooding the palate. Mid-palate, a pop of cranberry brightens the blend, while soft vanilla and toasted oak add depth. Supple, well-integrated tannins give the wine structure without heaviness.

Finish: Long and soft, trailing off with mixed berry sweetness and a gentle spice note. The tannins remain smooth through the close, leaving a clean, satisfying impression.

How to Drink Crush Red Blend

This blend rewards a slight chill — around 60–65°F — and drinks well straight from the glass with no decanting required. Its ripe fruit and approachable tannins also make it a versatile cocktail and sangria component.

• Red Wine Sangria: The jammy berry profile holds up beautifully against citrus and stone fruit additions.
• Kalimotxo: Its natural sweetness and smooth body balance the bitter edge of cola in this classic Spanish serve.
• Mulled Wine: Warm spice notes already present in the blend harmonize with cinnamon, clove, and orange peel.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners when you want something flavorful but unfussy
• Backyard barbecues and casual outdoor gatherings
• Introducing red wine to friends who prefer lighter, fruit-driven styles
• Gifting to Dave Matthews Band fans who also appreciate good wine

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Crush Red Blend taste like? It delivers jammy raspberry and dark cherry flavors with soft vanilla, toasted oak, and a touch of cranberry brightness, all supported by smooth, supple tannins.

How does Crush Red Blend compare to Bogle Essential Red? Both are California red blends at similar price points, but Crush leans more fruit-forward with its Petite Sirah and Tannat components adding darker berry intensity. Bogle Essential Red tends toward a slightly spicier, Zinfandel-driven profile with a bit more pepper on the finish.

Is Crush Red Blend good for beginners? Yes — its approachable fruit character, low tannin grip, and smooth finish make it one of the more accessible California red blends for newer wine drinkers.

Where is Crush Red Blend made? It is produced from grapes grown in the North Coast region of California, a broad appellation encompassing premium growing areas north of San Francisco including parts of Sonoma and Mendocino counties.

What foods pair well with Crush Red Blend? Grilled burgers benefit from the wine's smoky berry notes. Pepperoni or sausage pizza mirrors its spice and fruit. Slow-cooked pulled pork matches its soft tannins and vanilla undertones. Aged cheddar amplifies the caramel oak character. Dark chocolate brownies echo the wine's jammy richness.

What sizes does Crush Red Blend come in? Dreaming Tree Crush Red Blend is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Crush Red Blend worth the price? Positioned as an everyday-premium red blend, it consistently scores 89–91 points from respected publications, which places it well above average for its value tier.

Why Crush Red Blend?

Two scores of 90-plus points from The Tasting Panel Magazine and Wine Enthusiast put this blend in rare company for its price category. The four-grape formula — anchored by Merlot's softness, energized by Petite Sirah's color and structure, brightened by Zinfandel's fruit, and deepened by Tannat's tannin backbone — creates a blend with more complexity than most competitors at this level. Seventeen months in oak is generous aging for a wine in this segment, and the periodic racking during that time contributes directly to its notably smooth texture. The sustainability-driven packaging is a genuine differentiator, not a marketing afterthought, making it a thoughtful choice for environmentally conscious drinkers.