2009 Roy Estate Proprietary Red

The 2009 Proprietary Red bursts from the glass with juicy dark cherries, flowers, mint violets and tar. A super-ripe wine, the 2009 caresses the palate with gorgeous depth. This voluptuous, opulent wine has plenty of energy, not to mention considerable appeal. The 2009 is 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot.

The 2009 Proprietary Red bursts from the glass with juicy dark cherries, flowers, mint violets and tar. A super-ripe wine, the 2009 caresses the palate with gorgeous depth. This voluptuous, opulent wine has plenty of energy, not to mention considerable appeal. The 2009 is 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024. Proprietor Shirley Roy and her consulting winemaker Philippe Melka have a done a great job with these current and upcoming releases. One of the key attributes of Roy’s wines is their early accessibility. The 2009s have turned out just as well as I had hoped, while the 2010s – the product of tiny yields – are a touch more complex. Tel. (707) 255-4409

(a blend of 71% cabernet sauvignon, 19% merlot and 10% petit verdot, from a 2001 planting on shallow rocky soil and deeper loamy side with a rock component): Good full ruby. Pungent aromas of dark berries, black tea, herbs and licorice; at once cool and warm. Lush, sweet and rich, with black fruit and licorice flavors complicated by crushed stone, pepper, fresh herbs and cookie dough. The dusty but fine tannins hit the palate early but do not cut off the fruit.