Full Review

Cycles Gladiator

Cycles Gladiator
2020 Merlot, California

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.5%
88 Points
Silver Medal
Highly Recommended
$13
Best Buy
'2022 World Value Wine Challenge-Top 10 Red Wine $15 and Under'

Cycles Gladiator
2020 Merlot, California

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Merlot

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.5%
Ruby black color. Aromas and flavors of cremini mushrooms in a balsamic reduction with herbs de provence, red and black cherry, leather and pepper, and smoke with a velvety, crisp, dry medium-to-full body and an interesting, medium-long finish that exhibits nuances of mushrooms and red berries, peppered jerky, bell pepper, and dark chocolate with medium, well-integrated tannins and a suggestion of oak flavor. A tasty and versatile wine that will easily adapt to most medium to rich main course pairings.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: Rich & Full
Aroma Aroma: cremini mushrooms in a balsamic reduction with herbs de provence, red and black cherry, leather and pepper, and smoke
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with nuances of mushrooms and red berries, peppered jerky, bell pepper, and dark chocolate
Sweetness Sweetness: Dry
Enjoy Enjoy: Now with food
Recipes Pairing: Baked Ham, Meat Loaf, Lasagna
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A tasty and versatile wine that will easily adapt to most medium to rich main course pairings.

The Producer

Wine Hooligans LLC

The Producer
980 Airway Court
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
USA
1 707-527-7355

Their Portfolio

86 1797 2019 Bourbon Barrel Aged, Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 14.5% (USA) $22.00.
BR Broadside 2020 Chardonnay, Central Coast 14.5% (USA) $17.00. - Bronze Medal
89 Broadside 2020 Sip Certified, Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 13.5% (USA) $17.00.
90 Broadside 2020 Santa Margarita Ranch, Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 13.5% (USA) $22.00.
92 Broadside 2021 Santa Margarita Ranch, Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 14.5% (USA) $29.00.
87 Broadside 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 13.5% (USA) $17.00.
88 Broadside 2021 Santa Margarita Ranch, Merlot, Paso Robles 14.5% (USA) $17.00.
87 Broadside 2021 Chardonnay, Central Coast 13.5% (USA) $17.00.
88 Broadside 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 13.5% (USA) $14.00.
85 Broadside 2021 Chardonnay, Central Coast 13.5% (USA) $14.00.
87 Broadside 2021 Santa Margarita Ranch, Merlot, Paso Robles 14.5% (USA) $14.00.
BR Cycles Gladiator 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, California 13.5% (USA) $13.00. - Bronze Medal
BR Cycles Gladiator 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, California 14.5% (USA) $13.00. - Bronze Medal
87 Cycles Gladiator 2020 Pinot Noir, California 14.5% (USA) $13.00.
88 Cycles Gladiator 2020 Merlot, California 14.5% (USA) $13.00.
BR Cycles Gladiator 2020 Red Blend, California 15% (USA) $13.00. - Bronze Medal
BR Cycles Gladiator 2020 Chardonnay, California 14.5% (USA) $13.00. - Bronze Medal
86 Cycles Gladiator 2021 Chardonnay, California 13% (USA) $13.00.
88 Cycles Gladiator 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, California 13.5% (USA) $12.00.
BR Cycles Gladiator 2021 Pinot Noir, California 13.5% (USA) $12.00. - Bronze Medal
86 Cycles Gladiator 2021 Merlot, California 13.5% (USA) $12.00.
85 Cycles Gladiator 2021 Chardonnay, California 13% (USA) $12.00.
87 Cycles Gladiator 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, California 13.5% (USA) $9.00.
86 Cycles Gladiator 2021 Pinot Noir, California 13.5% (USA) $9.00.
87 Cycles Gladiator 2021 Chardonnay, California 13% (USA) $9.00.
86 Portlandia 2019 Red Blend, Columbia Valley 14.5% (USA) $21.00.
86 Portlandia 2019 Red Blend, Columbia Valley 14.5% (USA) $21.00.
92 Portlandia 2019 Big Believer, Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 13.5% (USA) $21.00.
92 Portlandia 2019 Big Believer Cabernet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 13.5% (USA) $21.00.
85 Portlandia 2020 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 13.5% (USA) $21.00.
85 Portlandia 2020 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 13.5% (USA) $21.00.
93 Portlandia 2021 Rosé, Columbia Valley 12.5% (USA) $17.00.
90 Portlandia 2021 Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley/Willamette Valley 13.5% (USA) $17.00.
87 Portlandia NV Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine, Columbia Valley 12% (USA) $21.00.
88 Portlandia NV Brut Sparkling Wine, Columbia Valley 12% (USA) $21.00.
89 Portlandia 2020 Big Believer, Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 14.5% (USA) $22.00.
92 Portlandia 2020 Red Blend, Columbia Valley 14.5% (USA) $22.00.
85 Portlandia 2021 Pinot Gris, American 13.5% (USA) $12.00.
88 Portlandia 2021 Pinot Noir, Oregon 13.5% (USA) $17.00.
88 Portlandia 2020 Big Believer, Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 14.5% (USA) $17.00.
86 Shortbread 2020 Chardonnay, California 14.5% (USA) $17.00.
86 Shortbread 2021 Buttery, Chardonnay, California 14.5% (USA) $14.00.
86 Shortbread 2021 Buttery, Chardonnay, California 14.5% (USA) $14.00.
89 Stephen Vincent 2020 Pinot Noir, North Coast 13.5% (USA) $15.00.
BR Stephen Vincent 2021 Chardonnay, North Coast 13.5% (USA) $17.00. - Bronze Medal
88 Stephen Vincent 2021 Pinot Noir, North Coast 14.5% (USA) $17.00.

Merlot

Wine Glass Cabernet.jpg
Serve in a Cabernet Wine Glass
Merlot is a red variety that is loved by consumers, yet often shunned by certain wine gurus and critics, as they perceive these wines as “little sisters” to the more powerful Cabernet Sauvignon. Yet on its own, the best examples of Merlot are multi-layered, complex wines that are among the finest in the world.

Merlot has many similar flavors to Cabernet Sauvignon, especially with its cherry and plum fruit, but is has fewer, less sharp tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon. Many producers whether in Bordeaux, America, Chile or elsewhere, often blend small percentages of Merlot into Cabernet Sauvignon to lessen the tannic bitterness of the latter.

A few districts in France’s Bordeaux region, namely Pomerol, are home to the greatest examples of Merlot. Chateau Petrus is the world’s most famous example of Merlot, a powerful wine that ages beautifully for 30 or 40 years in the best vintages. There are also celebrated examples from American, especially in Washington’s Walla Walla valley as well as in Napa Valley in California. Merlot is also very successful in Chile, New Zealand and even in certain part of Italy.

Merlot pairs best with foods such as lamb or veal, but it also sought out by consumers to accompany steaks and roast when they want a rounder, more elegant red wine.

Top Rated for
Merlot

Jarvis 2015 Reserve, Merlot, Napa Valley
96 POINTS
Jarvis 2015 Reserve, Merlot, Napa Valley
14.6% $310.00.
USA
Mira Winery 2016 Hyde Vineyard, Merlot, Carneros, Napa Valley
95 POINTS
Mira Winery 2016 Hyde Vineyard, Merlot, Carneros, Napa Valley
15% $75.00.
USA
Alexander Valley Vineyards 2020 Merlot, Alexander Valley
95 POINTS
Alexander Valley Vineyards 2020 Merlot, Alexander Valley
14% $24.00.
USA
Peace Water 2020 Mellow Brick Road, Merlot, Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley
95 POINTS
Peace Water 2020 Mellow Brick Road, Merlot, Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley
14.8% $44.00.
USA
Jarvis 2018 Merlot, Napa Valley
95 POINTS
Jarvis 2018 Merlot, Napa Valley
14.3% $190.00.
USA
Peller Estates 2020 Family Reserve, Merlot, Niagara Peninsula VQA
95 POINTS
Peller Estates 2020 Family Reserve, Merlot, Niagara Peninsula VQA
13.5% $10.00.
Canada
Levendi 2022 Mystique, Merlot, Napa Valley
94 POINTS
Levendi 2022 Mystique, Merlot, Napa Valley
14.5% $55.00.
USA
Bianchi 2019 Signature Selection, Merlot, Paso Robles
94 POINTS
Bianchi 2019 Signature Selection, Merlot, Paso Robles
14.5% $42.00.
USA
Provenance Vineyards 2019 Merlot, Napa Valley
94 POINTS
Provenance Vineyards 2019 Merlot, Napa Valley
14.7% $34.00.
USA
Bright Leaf Vineyard 2018 Estate Bottled, Merlot, Finger Lakes
94 POINTS
Bright Leaf Vineyard 2018 Estate Bottled, Merlot, Finger Lakes
13.1% $18.00.
USA
Chloe 2019 Merlot, Monterey County
94 POINTS
Chloe 2019 Merlot, Monterey County
14.5% $17.00.
USA
Palmaris 2018 Reserve Estate, Merlot, Outer Coastal Plain
94 POINTS
Palmaris 2018 Reserve Estate, Merlot, Outer Coastal Plain
13.8% $22.00.
USA

Best Buys for
Merlot

Peller Estates 2020 Family Reserve, Merlot, Niagara Peninsula VQA
95 POINTS
Peller Estates 2020 Family Reserve, Merlot, Niagara Peninsula VQA
13.5% $10.00.
Canada
Bright Leaf Vineyard 2018 Estate Bottled, Merlot, Finger Lakes
94 POINTS
Bright Leaf Vineyard 2018 Estate Bottled, Merlot, Finger Lakes
13.1% $18.00.
USA
Chloe 2019 Merlot, Monterey County
94 POINTS
Chloe 2019 Merlot, Monterey County
14.5% $17.00.
USA
Taylors 2022 Estate Label, Merlot, Clare Valley
93 POINTS
Taylors 2022 Estate Label, Merlot, Clare Valley
14% $18.00.
Australia
Charles Smith 2020 The Velvet Devil, Merlot, Washington
93 POINTS
Charles Smith 2020 The Velvet Devil, Merlot, Washington
13.5% $14.00.
USA
Taylors 2022 Promised Land, Merlot, South Australia
93 POINTS
Taylors 2022 Promised Land, Merlot, South Australia
14% $13.00.
Australia
Cannonball 2020 Merlot, California
93 POINTS
Cannonball 2020 Merlot, California
13.5% $16.00.
USA
Cloud Watcher 2020 Merlot, California
92 POINTS
Cloud Watcher 2020 Merlot, California
14.5% $10.00.
USA
Sunscape NV Merlot, California
92 POINTS
Sunscape NV Merlot, California
13% $9.00.
USA