PnP w/45 min decant. Clear, deep/dark purple color, no red edge/bricking. Wonderful/proper nose. This wine drank well. Ideal time window, med/full body, perfect balance, nice acid, integrated tannins, med-long finish. Not over the top at all. If properly stored, it's got some years yet. Med/long finsh. Nothing off. Gift.
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This bottle had a year or two to go. I think/hope I have at least another. Acidity was there, it took some time to open, nice fruit, balance. Very nice balance.
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Superbowl Party WOTN. Could tell upon first smell that this wine is peaking now -- waves of dark fruit, chocolate, tar, and cigar box. Full bodied, with fruit continuing thru mid palate, rounded tannins, with long finish. Drinking great right now.
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Popped and poured, plum, smoke, tobacco and earth in the nose. Dark currants, plum, cassis, chocolate and earth on the palate. Smoother than the last bottle 4/08, old world components, and still a little tannic. Based on the last two bottles, plenty of life left.
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Decanted an hour. Drinking perfectly right now but not sure how much more potential it has. Also got chocolate, a bit of leather, some cherry and a long, very well balanced finish. I have another bottle of this and will try to get to it within the year.
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Still drinking well, but probably at or just past peak now. Lot's of depth and dark fruit with silky tanins and a moderate finish. Drank with grilled ribeyes with a pepper rub, scrumptious.
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Tremendous! The fruit filled the room upon opening. Decanted about an hour, and with a Porterhouse it was perfect. Chocolate, tar, some light hints of smoke and leather. Very smooth and drinkable. I'm not going to leave my last one in the cellar much longer. Not sure it can get any better.
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Good structure, plenty of tannins but not as pronounced as last year. Fruit is more balanced with a fabulous mouth feel. This wine is in its prime now.
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In the nose this wine reminded me of a barolo with smoke, tar, leather and plums, on the palate was chocolate, plums and dark fruits, however the finish was short and tannic. Old world style, I will hold my remaining bottle for a year or two.
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I had another bottle of this and I still don't get the WS review of this wine. I really like it, found it very complex with lots of fruit and good tannis and structure. Nice nose. Finish not as long as I'd like but I don't understand their 81 rating for this wine.
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I like this one a lot, I tend to favor the Meritage/Bordeaux Blends over the Cabs and this one is exceptional. Current and Cherry up front, good solid tannin structure, should lay down nicely for a few years, good finish.
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Cellar Notes: Displaying rich, concentrated fruit, spicy oak, a velvety mouth feel, and a lasting finish, the 2001 Cyrus is a testament to estate grown Alexander Valley grapes and fine winemaking. The 2001 CYRUS is composed of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc. You will experience intense aromas of black cherry, plum, cassis and chocolate. Firm tannins and a long finish balance the full mouth feel. Balanced to drink now, but long aging will be rewarded.
Best of Class - Gold Medal - 2005 Sonoma County Harvest Fair Best American Red Wine - 2005 Atlanta Wine Summit Best of Class - Gold Medal - 2005 Long Beach Grand Cru Gold Medal - 2005 Pacific Rim International Wine Competition Gold Medal - 2005 Hilton Head Wine Fest Silver Medal - 2005 Dallas Morning News Wine Competition Silver Medal - 2005 San Francisco International Wine Competition
The Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine rates the wine at 90 points: “This meritage-style blend from Alexander Valley Vineyards has been a perennial winner with CGCW and it latest incarnation wins applause again for its depth, fruity richness and fine sense of complexity. Loaded with creamy oak, but underpinned with plenty of well-ripened, black cherry fruit, it is a sturdy, well-filled offering with room for growth.” April 2005
Tastings.com rates it at 93 Points• Alexander Valley Vineyards 2001 Cyrus, $50. "Brilliant ruby red-violet hue. Black cherry, black currant, plum, licorice and iris aromas. Medium-full with excellent concentration and a beautifully proportioned mid-palate. Long, nicely structured finish with great fruit persistence, lively acidity, youthful tannins and well-integrated oak. Complete with layers of flavor. Ripe and rich, but never over the top. Beautiful harmony.”
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12/26/2023 - dbuck Likes this wine: 91 Points
Enjoyed this bottle with our Grandson Cyrus. Cellared very well.
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12/26/2018 - drycreekwhine wrote: 91 Points
Very fine and a nice California contrast to an excellent 2005 Pomerol Bordeaux on 12/25/18.
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11/4/2016 - winepaw Likes this wine: 92 Points
Still drinking very well. Great balance of dark fruit flavors with soft tannins, and nice acidity.
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12/25/2013 - winepaw wrote: flawed
Bottle was corked. Not drinkable.
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12/7/2013 - djthiel wrote: 93 Points
Very good. Not past it's prime. Great with a filet.
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5/30/2013 - jjh49 wrote:
ready to drink now, not past
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1/14/2013 - Barry Notes Likes this wine: 91 Points
PnP w/45 min decant. Clear, deep/dark purple color, no red edge/bricking. Wonderful/proper nose. This wine drank well. Ideal time window, med/full body, perfect balance, nice acid, integrated tannins, med-long finish. Not over the top at all. If properly stored, it's got some years yet. Med/long finsh. Nothing off. Gift.
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4/14/2012 - marka wrote: 88 Points
This bottle had a year or two to go. I think/hope I have at least another. Acidity was there, it took some time to open, nice fruit, balance. Very nice balance.
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1/17/2012 - marka wrote: 89 Points
- Aromas of tobacco, black currant and licorice anise and has flavours of black currant.
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2/8/2010 - Bobo N wrote: 92 Points
Superbowl Party WOTN. Could tell upon first smell that this wine is peaking now -- waves of dark fruit, chocolate, tar, and cigar box. Full bodied, with fruit continuing thru mid palate, rounded tannins, with long finish. Drinking great right now.
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2/7/2010 - wineshaman wrote: 90 Points
Popped and poured, plum, smoke, tobacco and earth in the nose. Dark currants, plum, cassis, chocolate and earth on the palate. Smoother than the last bottle 4/08, old world components, and still a little tannic. Based on the last two bottles, plenty of life left.
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6/13/2009 - BRSAustinTex wrote: 92 Points
Decanted an hour. Drinking perfectly right now but not sure how much more potential it has. Also got chocolate, a bit of leather, some cherry and a long, very well balanced finish. I have another bottle of this and will try to get to it within the year.
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5/26/2009 - LegendaryL wrote: 90 Points
Still drinking well, but probably at or just past peak now. Lot's of depth and dark fruit with silky tanins and a moderate finish. Drank with grilled ribeyes with a pepper rub, scrumptious.
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2/14/2009 - lawdog85 wrote: 92 Points
Tremendous! The fruit filled the room upon opening. Decanted about an hour, and with a Porterhouse it was perfect. Chocolate, tar, some light hints of smoke and leather. Very smooth and drinkable. I'm not going to leave my last one in the cellar much longer. Not sure it can get any better.
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11/23/2008 - higap wrote: 90 Points
Good structure, plenty of tannins but not as pronounced as last year. Fruit is more balanced with a fabulous mouth feel. This wine is in its prime now.
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9/12/2008 - vintage72 wrote: 88 Points
This wine is fading. Drink up.
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7/25/2008 - marka wrote: flawed
Cooked (not by me).
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4/5/2008 - wineshaman wrote: 88 Points
In the nose this wine reminded me of a barolo with smoke, tar, leather and plums, on the palate was chocolate, plums and dark fruits, however the finish was short and tannic. Old world style, I will hold my remaining bottle for a year or two.
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1/5/2008 - vintage72 wrote: 90 Points
Has turned old world in the last year. Pronounced merlot and sonoma qualities. Will drink the rest in the next year.
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12/10/2007 - lawdog85 wrote: 90 Points
A great blend. As good as many wines that cost twice as much.
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12/30/2006 - vintage72 wrote: 90 Points
Never really opened up.
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11/24/2006 - jcurl wrote: 93 Points
I had another bottle of this and I still don't get the WS review of this wine. I really like it, found it very complex with lots of fruit and good tannis and structure. Nice nose. Finish not as long as I'd like but I don't understand their 81 rating for this wine.
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7/29/2006 - jcurl wrote: 93 Points
I like this one a lot, I tend to favor the Meritage/Bordeaux Blends over the Cabs and this one is exceptional. Current and Cherry up front, good solid tannin structure, should lay down nicely for a few years, good finish.
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12/23/2005 - bunches wrote:
Cellar Notes:
Displaying rich, concentrated fruit, spicy oak, a velvety mouth feel, and a lasting finish, the 2001 Cyrus is a testament to estate grown Alexander Valley grapes and fine winemaking. The 2001 CYRUS is composed of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc. You will experience intense aromas of black cherry, plum, cassis and chocolate. Firm tannins and a long finish balance the full mouth feel. Balanced to drink now, but long aging will be rewarded.
Best of Class - Gold Medal - 2005 Sonoma County Harvest Fair
Best American Red Wine - 2005 Atlanta Wine Summit
Best of Class - Gold Medal - 2005 Long Beach Grand Cru
Gold Medal - 2005 Pacific Rim International Wine Competition
Gold Medal - 2005 Hilton Head Wine Fest
Silver Medal - 2005 Dallas Morning News Wine Competition
Silver Medal - 2005 San Francisco International Wine Competition
The Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine rates the wine at 90 points: “This meritage-style blend from Alexander Valley Vineyards has been a perennial winner with CGCW and it latest incarnation wins applause again for its depth, fruity richness and fine sense of complexity. Loaded with creamy oak, but underpinned with plenty of well-ripened, black cherry fruit, it is a sturdy, well-filled offering with room for growth.” April 2005
Tastings.com rates it at 93 Points• Alexander Valley Vineyards 2001 Cyrus, $50. "Brilliant ruby red-violet hue. Black cherry, black currant, plum, licorice and iris aromas. Medium-full with excellent concentration and a beautifully proportioned mid-palate. Long, nicely structured finish with great fruit persistence, lively acidity, youthful tannins and well-integrated oak. Complete with layers of flavor. Ripe and rich, but never over the top. Beautiful harmony.”
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