2009 Cenyth Red

The 2009 Red Wine Sonoma County is dark, rich and enveloping. Black fruit, mocha, cloves, licorice, menthol and new leather explode from the glass in a huge, mouthfilling red. This dark, sumptuous Cabernet Sauvignon-based red is still incredibly primary. The 2009 can be enjoyed today for its intense fruit, while more tertiary notes are just beginning to develop. The 2009 is 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot, 7% Malbec.

The 2009 Cenyth is a blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot and Malbec that achieved 14% alcohol, and was aged in 100% French oak for 15 months. Many 2009s are in the process of shutting down slightly, especially wines made from Bordeaux varietals. This wine shows sweet tannin and a more open knit personality, no doubt due to the 28% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc in the blend. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by notes of licorice, incense, forest floor, mulberries, black cherries and black currants. Pierre Seillan believes that using four separate Sonoma County terroirs balances the wine beautifully, with high tannins from the mountain top vineyards and softer, silkier tannins from lower elevation sites. This full-bodied, attractive red is approachable, but should age effortlessly for 15-20 years. Cenyth is a new project from the Jackson Family’s small vineyard estates with the highly respected Bordelais winemaker Pierre Seillan, assisted by his daughter Helene, making the wines from Sonoma County vineyards owned by the Jackson Family. All four of these vintages revealed considerable potential. The general sources for these wines vary from year to year, but usually one-fourth to nearly 50% of the fruit comes from Chalk Hill, 22% to 38% from the Alexander Valley Estate, and the balance from Knights Valley and Bennett Valley. Tel. (855) 800-0673