Winery - Cycles Gladiator
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Doesn’t have quite the concentration of many more expensive Merlots, but fills a nice niche in an affordable red wine that’s full-bodied, dry and elegant. Offers pleasant flavors of cherries, red currants, cola and oak.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
What an interesting wine this is. Classic California Merlot, soft and rich, with a burst of cherry, raspberry and mocha flavors, and spicy, smoky vanilla from considerable new oak. But the addition of Petite Sirah, Syrah and Cab Sauvignon give it added depth, texture and nuance. At this price, stock up by the case.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Not bad for the price. It’s dry and full-bodied, with some berry fruit and smoke flavors leading to a spicy finish.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
It’s not quite a cult Napa Cab, but you’d be surprised how close the profile fits with this soft, sumptuous wine. Like its competitors costing 10 times as much, it’s velvety smooth, with enormously ripe cassis, milk chocolate, cherry pie, vanilla and cinnamon spice flavors. At this price, it’s a steal, and easy to find, with 15,000 cases produced.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
If you like your big reds in the New World style, this one’s for you. It’s soft, creamy and voluptuous, almost sweet in milk chocolate, black cherry-pie filling, cassis and spicy vanilla flavors. With 65% new French oak, this is really a great price for this kind of wine.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Simple and slightly sweet, with grapefruit, peach and a streak of minerally acids. This is a decent everyday wine.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The aromas are of mint and blackberries, while the taste is sweet and sour, like a Chinese fruit-based sauce. Finishes with an astringent scour.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Very dry, tannic and full-bodied, with somewhat underripe tobacco, pepper and herb flavors behind the blackberries. More like a minor Zinfandel than a Syrah. The toughness and grittiness need softening meats and cheeses for balance.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Soft and simple despite rich pineapple and tapioca flavors. The wine has a heaviness it can’t quite overcome, but it does finish dry and clean.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Lots to like in this soft, flavorful Syrah. Paso Robles grapes give it lots of upfront blackberry and chocolate flavors, while cool Monterey lends acidity and white pepper. Loses points, though, for turning sweet and medicinal on the finish.
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