Cru Winery Pinot Noir Montage

Cru Winery Pinot Noir Montage is a 100% Pinot Noir from Santa Lucia Highlands, California, bottled at 13.8% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2021 vintage earned a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, underscoring the consistency winemaker Ken Post brings to this Burgundian-inspired cuvée.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.8%  |  Origin: Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, California  |  9 Months French Oak  |  Winery: CRU Wine Company

Production & Heritage

CRU Wine Company operates out of Madera, California, with winemaker Ken Post sourcing fruit from multiple clones planted at varying elevations across the Santa Lucia Highlands—a fog-cooled corridor along the western Salinas Valley prized for Pinot Noir. The Montage expression is aged for nine months in 15% new French oak barrels from the Damy and Billon cooperages, toasted at medium and medium-plus levels. This restrained oak program allows the vineyard character and clonal diversity to remain the focus rather than barrel influence, a deliberate nod to Burgundian winemaking philosophy.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Black cherry and rose petal lead the nose, followed by deeper layers of cedar, forest floor and a whisper of dark chocolate. Give the glass a few minutes and cherry-cola emerges alongside subtle toast.

Taste: The entry is bright with juicy blackberry and pomegranate, shifting mid-palate into richer territory where cranberry meets infused tea and plum. A measured thread of pepper spice and toasted oak surfaces toward the peak without overwhelming the fruit, and the overall balance stays remarkably even for a wine at this price tier.

Finish: Long and soft, tapering off with lingering chocolate, dried tea leaf and a gentle tannic grip. The fruit sweetness fades gracefully, leaving a clean, earthy close.

How to Drink Pinot Noir Montage

Serve at 58–62°F in a large-bowled Burgundy glass. This wine shines on its own without decanting, though 20 minutes of air opens additional complexity. A classic Coq au Vin preparation mirrors the wine's dark cherry and earthy profile. It also works beautifully in a Pinot Noir Sangria built with fresh berries, orange peel and a touch of brandy. For a refreshing warm-weather option, try it lightly chilled in a Pinot Noir Spritz with sparkling water and a twist of lemon—the wine's bright acidity holds up well to dilution.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners that call for a polished yet accessible red
• Introducing someone to quality California Pinot Noir without sticker shock
• Hosting a blind tasting of Santa Lucia Highlands producers
• Gifting a wine lover who gravitates toward Burgundian-style reds

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Pinot Noir Montage taste like? It leads with juicy blackberry and black cherry, layered with pomegranate, tea leaf and dark chocolate, all framed by subtle French oak spice. The overall impression is fruit-driven but balanced, finishing long and soft.

How does Pinot Noir Montage compare to Hahn SLH Pinot Noir? Both are sourced from the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, but the Montage draws on multiple clones and elevations with specific Damy and Billon cooperage, resulting in a more layered, earth-tinged profile. Hahn SLH tends to lean more overtly fruit-forward and slightly richer on the mid-palate.

Is Pinot Noir Montage good for sipping on its own? Absolutely—its balanced acidity, moderate tannins and complex fruit-to-earth interplay make it an engaging glass without food. Serving it at cellar temperature around 60°F brings out the most nuance.

Where is Pinot Noir Montage made? It is produced by CRU Wine Company, based in Madera, California, using 100% Pinot Noir grapes sourced from the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA in Monterey County. The AVA sits along the western benchlands of the Salinas Valley, where Pacific fog and afternoon winds create ideal conditions for the varietal.

What foods pair well with Pinot Noir Montage? Roasted duck breast complements its dark cherry and earthy notes. Grilled salmon highlights the wine's acidity and red-fruit brightness. Mushroom risotto echoes its forest-floor character. Aged Gruyère draws out the subtle toast and spice. Pan-seared pork tenderloin with a berry reduction mirrors its fruit-forward entry.

What sizes does Pinot Noir Montage come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Pinot Noir Montage worth the price? It positions as a mid-value California Pinot Noir that regularly earns 90-plus-point scores and competition medals, placing it among the stronger performers in its price tier. The multi-clone sourcing and specific French cooperage aging deliver complexity typically associated with more expensive bottlings.

Why Pinot Noir Montage?

What separates this wine from the crowded California Pinot Noir field is Ken Post's deliberate multi-clone, multi-elevation blending strategy within one of the state's most respected cool-climate appellations. The selective use of Damy and Billon French oak at two different toast levels adds texture without masking terroir—a restraint that pays off in the glass. A Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition for the 2021 vintage and consistent critical recognition from Wine Enthusiast and Wine & Spirits Magazine confirm that the quality here is not accidental. For drinkers drawn to Burgundian structure in a California package, the Montage represents a reliable and rewarding choice.