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For The Trade
Full Review
Buy It Now
Alexander Valley Vineyards
2015 Cyrus, Red Meritage, Alexander Valley
Pair this wine with:
Category: Bordeaux Red Varietal Blend
Date Tasted:
1/8/2021
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.5%
Buy It Now
92 Points
Gold Medal
Exceptional
$65
Alexander Valley Vineyards
2015 Cyrus, Red Meritage, Alexander Valley
Pair this wine with:
Category: Bordeaux Red Varietal Blend
Date Tasted:
1/8/2021
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
Style:
Fruity, Juicy & Smooth, Oaky, Rich & Full, Spicy & Complex & New World
Aroma:
plum chutney, sandalwood, rose, and coconut
Flavor:
Same as aromas with shades of honey-roasted pine nuts and lingonberry
Sweetness:
Dry-yet-Fruity
Enjoy:
Now on its own and with food
Pairing:
Pot Roast, Steak & Potatoes, Beef Stew
Bottom Line:
A bold, perfumed Red that offers a distinctive hedonic experience.
The Producer
Alexander Valley Vineyards
8644 Hwy 128
Healdsburg, CA 95448
USA
1 707-280-8021
www.avvwine.com
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
Serve in a Cabernet Wine Glass
About
Bordeaux Red Varietal Blend
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.
Top Rated for
Bordeaux Red Varietal Blend
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$42
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Canada
$10
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$270
Soquel Vineyards 2016 Consonante Red Blend, Napa Valley
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$125
Armstrong Valley Winery 2019 Estate Reserve Red Blend, Pennsylvania
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$23
Levendi 2020 Symphonia Red Blend, Napa Valley
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$29
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Bordeaux Red Varietal Blend
Kirkland Signature 2020 Red Blend, Napa Valley
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$10
Peller Estates 2020 Family Reserve Cabernet Merlot, Niagara Peninsula VQA
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$10
Chateau Bellevue 2020 Bordeaux AOC
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Wayne Gretzky 2021 Founders Series Cabernet Merlot Red Blend, Ontario
Canada
$12
Chloe 2018 No. 249 Red Blend, California
USA
$17
Nattitude 2018 Red Blend
Chile
$12
Blacklist 2019 Red Blend, California
USA
$12
Kirkland Signature 2019 Red Blend, Napa Valley
USA
$10
Outlander 2018 Meritage, Paso Robles
USA
$7.99
Fog Lane NV Red Blend, California
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$9
Keynote NV Red Blend, California
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$11
7 Deadly Wines 2017 Seven Deadly Red Blend, Lodi
USA
$15
Buy It Now
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Purchase Alexander Valley Vineyards 2015 Cyrus, Red Meritage, Alexander Valley at:
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shop.avvwine.com
shop.avvwine.com
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