Cycles Gladiator Cabernet Sauvignon (75cl, 13.5%)

Cycles Gladiator Cabernet Sauvignon is a Central Coast California red wine blending 81% Cabernet Sauvignon with 19% Petite Sirah at 13.5% ABV in a 750ml bottle. It is from the 2021 vintage. Roughly 90% of the fruit comes from Lodi and 10% from Paso Robles. Fifteen percent of the wine ages in one-year-old American and French oak barrels, while the rest rests in neutral barrels. The winemaking team uses a proprietary tannin management approach that produces melting tannins. The nose shows blackberry, raspberry, lilac, vanilla and herbal undertones of dried Provençal herbs and braised fennel. The palate is rich with plum, black cherry, strawberry preserves, coffee, cinnamon, clove, black olive, pomegranate, leather and cigar box. The finish is medium in length with a dry, lightly spiced close and soft, melting tannins.