Full Review

Alexander Valley Vineyards

Alexander Valley Vineyards
2015 Cyrus, Red Meritage, Alexander Valley

Pair this wine with:
Beef Vegetables

Category: Bordeaux Red Varietal Blend

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.5%
92 Points
Gold Medal
Exceptional
$65

Alexander Valley Vineyards
2015 Cyrus, Red Meritage, Alexander Valley

Pair this wine with:
Beef Vegetables

Category: Bordeaux Red Varietal Blend

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.5%
Black garnet color. Perfumed aromas and flavors of plum chutney, sandalwood, rose, and coconut with a silky, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a warming, intricate, long finish with shades of honey-roasted pine nuts and lingonberry with moderate oak flavor. A bold, perfumed Red that offers a distinctive hedonic experience.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: Fruity, Juicy & Smooth, Oaky, Rich & Full, Spicy & Complex & New World
Aroma Aroma: plum chutney, sandalwood, rose, and coconut
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with shades of honey-roasted pine nuts and lingonberry
Sweetness Sweetness: Dry-yet-Fruity
Enjoy Enjoy: Now on its own and with food
Recipes Pairing: Pot Roast, Steak & Potatoes, Beef Stew
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A bold, perfumed Red that offers a distinctive hedonic experience.

The Producer

Alexander Valley Vineyards

The Producer
8644 Hwy 128
Healdsburg, CA 95448
USA
1 707-280-8021

Their Portfolio

88 Alexander Valley Vineyards 2019 Gewürz, Gewurztraminer, Mendocino County 13.2% (USA) $15.00.
87 Alexander Valley Vineyards 2016 Temptation, Zinfandel, California 14% (USA) $16.00.
87 Alexander Valley Vineyards 2019 Dry Rosé of Sangiovese, Sonoma County 13% (USA) $16.00.
90 Alexander Valley Vineyards 2018 Estate, Syrah, Alexander Valley 14% (USA) $24.00.
87 Alexander Valley Vineyards 2018 Homestead Red Blend, Alexander Valley 14% (USA) $23.00.
86 Alexander Valley Vineyards 2017 Sin Zin, Zinfandel, Alexander Valley 14.9% (USA) $20.00.
90 Alexander Valley Vineyards 2018 Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 14% (USA) $25.00.
92 Alexander Valley Vineyards 2018 Estate, Merlot, Alexander Valley 14% (USA) $23.00.
92 Alexander Valley Vineyards 2015 Cyrus, Red Meritage, Alexander Valley 14.5% (USA) $65.00.
87 Alexander Valley Vineyards 2018 Estate, Cabernet Franc, Alexander Valley 14% (USA) $34.00.
BR Alexander Valley Vineyards 2019 Estate, Chardonnay, Alexander Valley 14% (USA) $20.00. - Bronze Medal
92 Alexander Valley Vineyards 2017 Alexander School Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 14% (USA) $50.00.
85 Alexander Valley Vineyards 2020 Dry Rosé, Sangiovese, Sonoma County 13% (USA) $18.00.
88 Alexander Valley Vineyards 2020 Gewürz, Gewurztraminer, Mendocino County 13.2% (USA) $15.00.
93 Alexander Valley Vineyards 2016 Cyrus Red Blend, Alexander Valley 14.5% (USA) $65.00.
87 Alexander Valley Vineyards 2019 Pinot Noir, Alexander Valley 14% (USA) $34.00.
94 Alexander Valley Vineyards 2017 Redemption, Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley 16.1% (USA) $24.00.
93 Alexander Valley Vineyards 2019 Merlot, Alexander Valley 14% (USA) $23.00.
92 Alexander Valley Vineyards 2019 Organically Grown, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 14% (USA) $34.00.
92 Alexander Valley Vineyards 2019 Zinfandel, Alexander Valley 14.1% (USA) $24.00.
95 Alexander Valley Vineyards 2020 Merlot, Alexander Valley 14% (USA) $24.00.

Bordeaux Red Varietal Blend

Wine Glass Cabernet.jpg
Serve in a Cabernet Wine Glass
The greatness of red wines from France's Bordeaux region can be largely attributed to the art of blending. There are five red varieties that can be used in a Bordeaux red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec (this last is rarely seen anymore in Bordeaux).

The reason for blending several grapes to craft the final wine is for greater complexity as well as elegance. Each grape has various characteristics and can attribute special qualities to the final wine. Cabernet Sauvignon is powerful and tannins, while Merlot has lighter tannins, while Cabernet Franc has a spicy, peppery quality to it. Blending these grapes together will round out all of these qualities; sort of a "the whole is greater than the sum of the parts" rationale.

This principal of blending is used in many regions besides Bordeaux, especially in California, were the blends are often given proprietary names, like Opus One, Insignia, and Quintessa. US blends of Bordeaux varietals may also be labeled, in addition to their proprietary name, by the designation of Meritage if they are approved and licensed by the Meritage Alliance.

Blending in Bordeaux is common not only on the prestigious wines from historic estates that cost hundreds of dollars per bottle, but also on the lighter-styled wines that are priced in the mid-teens. Aging potential can often be directly linked to the price of the wine, from three to five years to three to five decades.

Pair these wines with most red meats, games or roasts.