Day 1: This continues to be the best domestic blend for the money. Tobacco, dried cherries, mild oak, spice, blueberries and earth. Medium finish. Drink now. 93 points. Day 2: Excellent. Menthol, tobacco, dried cherries , minerals, earth and spice. Medium plus finish and nice acidity. 93 points
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Day 1: Not on the level with the 16 and even at the $40 price tag not delivering. Mild wood, blueberries, earth, tobacco and floral notes. Medium finish. Day 2: This has gotten better and showing similar to the epic 16. Nice acidity and features wood, blueberries, tobacco, cherry, minerals, rose petals and earth. Bordeaux like. 93 points Day 2.5: This is even better with a true Bordeaux feel. Pencil, lead, wood, tobacco, blueberries, cherry, minerals, gravel and dried flowers. Medium plus finish and amazing showing. Great value for $40.00. 94 points Day 3: Wonderful and this has a long life ahead. Cherry, saddle wood, pencil lead, tobacco, gravel, red currants and spices. Medium plus finish. Outstanding value 94+ points Recommendation: Not many better for $40 that off this Bordeaux like quality.
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Cherry red color. Blueberry pie and oak on nose. The wine is very flavorful with notes of blueberry, anise, dark chocolate, and toasty oak (which is distinctive of the French oak) that unfold in layers. All of the flavors are smoothed out by a hint of vanilla. Delicious!
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3rd bottle of this vintage. All great. Nice balance of fruit, earthiness and tannins. Benefits from a little time to open. Would not cellar much longer.
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A really pleasant and enjoyable Bordeaux style blend. A lot of sediment on the cork when opening, surprisingly, even after standing up for a few hours. Decanted through rabbit funnel to strain and aerate and let open for about an hour, tasting over the next hour+.
On open, strong fruity nose dominated by bright cherry and berry aromas. As it opened up, augmented with earthy mushroom and soy sauce notes. Plush, satiny, rich and full bodied mouthfeel, with a really lovely mixture of dark fruit, charcoal, blackberries on the palate. Lush and fruity without being jammy. Long finish, velvety and mouth coating.
Overall really enjoyed this as did my guests. Exceeded expectations. Have a few more bottles but will seek out more. Drinking great now but probably has legs for a few more years. 93+ [EDIT: Bumped the rating upon reflection. One of my favorite bottles this year]
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A surprisingly good bottle of AV can with great drink ability showing some age now but with powerful fruit and earth cooperage is pronounced with this wine and leaves one wondering what the corner was hiding.
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Bright red color, aromatic with cassis and leather on the nose. Wild cherries with a hint of licorice and cedar on the palate. Flavors linger for a long finish.
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This bottle was more balanced, esp after a few hours in the decant, ripe fruit up front, slight dust in the middle.. less burn and less tannic on the finish. This certainly coukd be better if it gels in the cellar. Drink now with air -2025/7
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46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot. A bit rough on its own, out of balance and hot, but great pairing with steak. Drink soon.14.5% ABV. 88+
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Lovely blue fruit that shout Napa, but plenty of acidity and oak to indicate this should spend a few more years in the cellar. I expect this to continue to improve.
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Beautiful blend of 46/32/15/5/2 cab sauv, merlot, cab franc, Malbec and PV. Showing punchy ripe fruit and French oak. Medium short tannins. Slight alcohol heat on finish.
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Amazing wine from an established a vineyard in the heart of Alexander Valley. Wine is consistent with notes from others, truly express is everything you would want an Alexander Valley Cabernet. Since this is the best wine, a Bordeaux blend, it is reasonably priced and far higher quality than some of the other wines the Vineyard produces
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Very well made. 46% Cab. S., 32% Merlot, 15% Cab. F., 5% Malbec, and 2% PV. Clean, M+ aromas of ripe black cherry, black plum with nice but not overdone mocha and vanilla from French oak aging. Dry, with M+ acidity, M to M+ polished tannins and unobtrusive alcohol (although 14.5%). Thanks to its freshness and surprising acidity, it is perceived as M+ in body, with M+ flavor intensity and length. Drinking really well now, but likely to continue to improve with age over the next few years. A very good value, with Bordeaux-like elegance and balance.
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Very elegant red California blend; herbs and fruit come through nicely for a 2015; taste was a tad tart at first but evolves over time to soft tannins; decanted as there was a fair amount of sediment; went perfectly with grilled filet mignon.
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Was reminded tonight of the fabulous AVV Cyrus wine. Enjoyed a glass at Mateo's Cocina Latina in Healdsburg paired with roasted pork belly topped with a pistou sauce served on a bed of cranberry beans. Great fresh nose and palate of Bordeaux grape varietals. Enjoyable now but should age nicely as well.
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4/20/2024 - 3daywinereview.com Likes this wine: 93 Points
Day 1: This continues to be the best domestic blend for the money. Tobacco, dried cherries, mild oak, spice, blueberries and earth. Medium finish. Drink now. 93 points.
Day 2: Excellent. Menthol, tobacco, dried cherries , minerals, earth and spice. Medium plus finish and nice acidity. 93 points
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3/16/2024 - ccavana3 wrote: 92 Points
Nearing its peak but still has years ahead. Fantastic bottle.
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12/2/2023 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 94 Points
Day 1: Not on the level with the 16 and even at the $40 price tag not delivering. Mild wood, blueberries, earth, tobacco and floral notes. Medium finish.
Day 2: This has gotten better and showing similar to the epic 16. Nice acidity and features wood, blueberries, tobacco, cherry, minerals, rose petals and earth. Bordeaux like. 93 points
Day 2.5: This is even better with a true Bordeaux feel. Pencil, lead, wood, tobacco, blueberries, cherry, minerals, gravel and dried flowers. Medium plus finish and amazing showing. Great value for $40.00. 94 points
Day 3: Wonderful and this has a long life ahead. Cherry, saddle wood, pencil lead, tobacco, gravel, red currants and spices. Medium plus finish. Outstanding value 94+ points
Recommendation: Not many better for $40 that off this Bordeaux like quality.
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11/26/2023 - Noel's Cellar Likes this wine: 94 Points
Cherry red color. Blueberry pie and oak on nose.
The wine is very flavorful with notes of blueberry, anise, dark chocolate, and toasty oak (which is distinctive of the French oak) that unfold in layers. All of the flavors are smoothed out by a hint of vanilla. Delicious!
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11/22/2023 - Kcid Likes this wine: 93 Points
Second time having this, and I still really enjoy it.
Lots of black fruit (plum, blackberry) cocoa, and some oak.
Nose is a lot of cherry and cocoa.
Tons of sediment, but easily filtered.
Really delicious.
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11/12/2023 - nocowine Likes this wine:
3rd bottle of this vintage. All great. Nice balance of fruit, earthiness and tannins. Benefits from a little time to open. Would not cellar much longer.
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8/5/2023 - DizzyOneCheck Likes this wine: 93 Points
A really pleasant and enjoyable Bordeaux style blend. A lot of sediment on the cork when opening, surprisingly, even after standing up for a few hours. Decanted through rabbit funnel to strain and aerate and let open for about an hour, tasting over the next hour+.
On open, strong fruity nose dominated by bright cherry and berry aromas. As it opened up, augmented with earthy mushroom and soy sauce notes. Plush, satiny, rich and full bodied mouthfeel, with a really lovely mixture of dark fruit, charcoal, blackberries on the palate. Lush and fruity without being jammy. Long finish, velvety and mouth coating.
Overall really enjoyed this as did my guests. Exceeded expectations. Have a few more bottles but will seek out more. Drinking great now but probably has legs for a few more years. 93+ [EDIT: Bumped the rating upon reflection. One of my favorite bottles this year]
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8/3/2023 - Rick 4 Wine Likes this wine: 93 Points
A surprisingly good bottle of AV can with great drink ability showing some age now but with powerful fruit and earth cooperage is pronounced with this wine and leaves one wondering what the corner was hiding.
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7/24/2023 - wino121 wrote: 92 Points
On point, dark lush and ripe, easing tannis make for a well balanced finish.
Drink now -2026
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6/4/2023 - Noel's Cellar Likes this wine: 90 Points
Bright red color, aromatic with cassis and leather on the nose. Wild cherries with a hint of licorice and cedar on the palate. Flavors linger for a long finish.
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5/13/2023 - JimEaton Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nicely balanced. Black fruit up front with subtle tannins and earth on the back of the pallet. A decent finish.
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3/12/2023 - elevwine Likes this wine: 91 Points
Crowd-pleaser. Smooth, elegant, tannins resolved but still good structure. Finish a bit hot and a bit short. Otherwise quite good
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3/11/2023 - erwanlemoing wrote:
Gift to mark
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12/25/2022 - Thebigbaby Likes this wine: 88 Points
Rustic and plenty of life left. Opened up nicely after a few hours and paired well with beef tenderloin, blue cheese and mushrooms.
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11/20/2022 - Dan & Patti Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drink now
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11/6/2022 - wino121 wrote: 91 Points
This bottle was more balanced, esp after a few hours in the decant, ripe fruit up front, slight dust in the middle..
less burn and less tannic on the finish.
This certainly coukd be better if it gels in the cellar.
Drink now with air -2025/7
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11/5/2022 - joraesque wrote: 88 Points
46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot.
A bit rough on its own, out of balance and hot, but great pairing with steak. Drink soon.14.5% ABV.
88+
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8/31/2022 - Dan & Patti Likes this wine: 95 Points
Still with good fruit and a tannic back bone, could last another five years at least
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8/5/2022 - nocowine Likes this wine: 90 Points
Enjoyable wine. Drinking well now. Fruit, earth and nice amount acid. Medium finish. Can cellar a bit longer but not much.
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7/18/2022 - KaupCava Likes this wine: 92 Points
Fab Meritage!
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6/21/2022 - wino121 wrote: 90 Points
Good wine minus the alcohol burn on the back end, unbalanced unfortunately.
Still fun too drink.
Without that it’s a great wine.
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5/4/2022 - Defcahn5 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Pnp. Smooth and not too tannic. Nice flavors of fruit and vanilla with subtle traces of other things. Very enjoyable from the jump.
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4/3/2022 - Matteo1 wrote:
A bit unsettled on the palate. On the plus side, good fruit that doesn't lean on sugar in place of quality. Best after a 24h decant.
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2/2/2022 - Portland Seth Likes this wine: 91 Points
Lovely blue fruit that shout Napa, but plenty of acidity and oak to indicate this should spend a few more years in the cellar. I expect this to continue to improve.
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1/14/2022 - cdp1276 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Beautiful blend of 46/32/15/5/2 cab sauv, merlot, cab franc, Malbec and PV. Showing punchy ripe fruit and French oak. Medium short tannins. Slight alcohol heat on finish.
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9/12/2021 - abrown@conceptlaw.com Likes this wine:
Fantastic
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8/20/2021 - Rossdhu House Likes this wine: 92 Points
Amazing wine from an established a vineyard in the heart of Alexander Valley. Wine is consistent with notes from others, truly express is everything you would want an Alexander Valley Cabernet. Since this is the best wine, a Bordeaux blend, it is reasonably priced and far higher quality than some of the other wines the Vineyard produces
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8/19/2021 - TannicBeast Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very well made. 46% Cab. S., 32% Merlot, 15% Cab. F., 5% Malbec, and 2% PV. Clean, M+ aromas of ripe black cherry, black plum with nice but not overdone mocha and vanilla from French oak aging. Dry, with M+ acidity, M to M+ polished tannins and unobtrusive alcohol (although 14.5%). Thanks to its freshness and surprising acidity, it is perceived as M+ in body, with M+ flavor intensity and length. Drinking really well now, but likely to continue to improve with age over the next few years. A very good value, with Bordeaux-like elegance and balance.
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6/20/2021 - Oberhau Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very elegant red California blend; herbs and fruit come through nicely for a 2015; taste was a tad tart at first but evolves over time to soft tannins; decanted as there was a fair amount of sediment; went perfectly with grilled filet mignon.
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3/15/2021 - BoulderWine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Was reminded tonight of the fabulous AVV Cyrus wine. Enjoyed a glass at Mateo's Cocina Latina in Healdsburg paired with roasted pork belly topped with a pistou sauce served on a bed of cranberry beans. Great fresh nose and palate of Bordeaux grape varietals. Enjoyable now but should age nicely as well.
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1/16/2021 - Dan & Patti wrote: 95 Points
Cigar box, dark fruit moderately long finish
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