Cycles Gladiator Zinfandel 2016

Ideally drink now through 2021

This lush and juicy wine is California Zin at its finest: deeply colored, with aromas of black cherry preserves, cedar, and baking spices, followed by a rich palate that tastes of blackberry jam and dark chocolate, with a smoky undertone. Velvety tannins and a prolonged bead of acidity lend this wine character and a longer-than-expected finish.

Zinfandel is the ultimate barbecue pairing wine: fruity, rich, and velvety, this wine begs for smoked ribs, grilled steak, pulled pork sandwiches, or even a juicy portabello mushroom burger.

The Cycles Gladiator Zinfandel is 88% Zinfandel, and 12% Petite Syrah; this common blend derives its fruity, jam-like nature from the Zinfandel, and the structural backbone and smoky flavors from the Petite Syrah. The Lodi region in Central California, where this wine hails from, is the perfect climate for Zinfandel and Petite Syrah: hot and dry, with cooling night winds preserving acidity. Being a full bodied and round wine, Zinfandel needs time in barrel to tame its wealth of tannins, and the winemaker for Cycles Gladiator ages this Zinfandel for 17 months in one year old and neutral American Oak barrels. Not only does this help to smooth out the wine’s tannins, but it also adds a hint of smokiness and baking spices – classic elements of a traditional California Zinfandel.