Alexander Valley Vineyards Cyrus 2017

Here is a big, bold wine that's comfortable in its own skin. It draws from a deep well of dark berries, well-integrated oak spices and accents of tobacco and singed herbs for great breadth and complexity. While full bodied and rather tannic, those tannins are silky and the wine feels relaxed as you sip. Best through 2030.

Composed of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Malbec and Petit Verdot, the 2017 CYRUS pours a hazy, opaque red and takes on significantly more depth, with baked aromas of stewed fig, melding spices, and cedar. Fleshy and full-bodied, it reveals blocky tannins, with notes of toasted pine, black plum, and a fair bit of bourbon oak spices. It is showing some signs of development and is in an excellent place to drink over the next few years.