Easily one of the most versatile and exciting varieties, Syrah is a grape we take very seriously here at Cycles-Gladiator. The grapes out of our vineyards in Monterey and Paso Robles have gone into some of the most awarded wines in the world and we are pleased to put the same passion and commitment that went into the making of those wines into this exciting release. With Syrah still considered a relative newcomer on the wine scene, there has yet to be a consensus on defining a style that is uniquely “Californian”. But this is what makes this wine so exciting. Every region where the grape is grown has a distinctive style associated with it, and I believe our wine contains a blend of two of the most distinctive. Our Monterey Syrah is grown in a cool climate and is intense with plum and pepper flavors marked with a solid acidity. Our Paso Robles Syrah is warm and jammy with soft tannins and acids. So the combination of cool/warm climates produces a wine that is layered with all of the best flavors that California’s Central Coast has to offer.

All of the grapes that go into this blend are fermented in small 12 ton open-top tanks, pumped over 3 times a day, and pressed out for settling. The wine is aged in a combination of new and neutral French oak barrels for 11 months, after which they are blended and bottled.

An intriguing combination of raspberry and plum aromas framed by fresh cracked pepper and pretty oak notes. The mouth is decidedly rich and spicy with big red fruit flavors layered over spice, tobacco, and blueberry. The mouthfeel is full bodied with soft tannins that melt into a medium thread of acidity. The gamey components of this wine make it a perfect match for duck and other wild fowl, lamb in a red wine reduction, or ribs and BBQ sauce.

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