Cycles Gladiator Cabernet Savignon 2006

This is one of my favorite wines of all time. Not knowing this fact, a friend brought it over for dinner last night.

I first had it at a wine tasting at a popular wine-focused restaurant here in Chicago (Bin 36), and was stunned by its deliciousness and affordability. I actually used this wine for a "cheap v. expensive" wine tasting (v. a Frog's Leap cab), and most people liked it more! This wine was also served at my wedding.

So... why do I like it? I find cabs usually to be too tannic for me, or as I like to say "I can taste my hangover". But, they go well with most food, being a good balance between a super flavorful shiraz and a smooth pinot noir. And, it's a good wine to curl up with on a cold winter night. Gladiator's cab: it's just got a soft red fruit flavor without being extremely juicy and is very easy to drink. The label is pretty cool, too - it got some press about being risque! (It's a drawing of a semi-nude woman, but tasteful like Renaissance Italian art).

I've also tasted all of the other Gladiator wines (shiraz, pinot noir, chardonnay) and love them all!