CYRUS showcases the best of our vineyards and the best of the vintage.
In 1840 Alexander Valley namesake Cyrus Alexander rode into our valley and called it the "brightest and best spot in the world". He chose this spot to build his home and raise his family, and many years later we would do the same. This wine is our tribute to the man, the region and the very best of the vintage.
In 1995 Hank Wetzel produced the first vintage of CYRUS, today winemaker Kevin Hall carries on the tradition with our 21st release of CYRUS. He has selected ten distinctive lots of estate Bordeaux grapes for this vintage, anchoring the blend with three complex lots of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Overall, 2016 was a more normal growing season than the last few years. While the drought was still persistent, we received much needed rain over the winter and early spring. The good weather continued through the summer with no damaging heat spikes. Yields were slightly reduced, but the quality and flavor of the grapes were stellar.
After harvest each lot was fermented and aged separately for 12 months, blended to showcase the vintage, then aged for an additional 12 months in French oak barrels to meld the flavors. Additional bottle aging resulted in a seamless blend. The 2016 has dark purple/red color and layered aromas of cassis, black cherry, black plum, cedar, dark chocolate, and hints of toasty oak and vanilla. This is a silky wine with flavors of cassis, dark chocolate, dark fruits, black cherry, barrel spice and cardamom. The 2016 CYRUS has smooth texture, excellent balance and a long structured finish. As this wine sits in the glass it just keeps building on itself, hinting at the complexity that will occur with additional cellar aging.
Accolades:
2016: 96 points & Double Gold Medal - Los Angeles Invitational Wine Challenge
2016: 93 points, Gold Medal, Exceptional - Beverage Testing Institute
2016: 90 points - Decanter World Wine Awards
2016: Double Gold Medal - San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
2016: Double Gold Medal & Best in Show Red - Hilton Head Island International Wine Competition
