2012 Cenyth Red
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Tasting notes
The 2012 Red Wine Sonoma County is one of the under the radar jewels of the vintage. Sweet floral notes meld into espresso, plum, dark red cherry and cedar notes. Perfumed, expressive and impeccably balanced, the 2012 impresses for its overall sense of proportion and harmony. The style is rich and quite textured, but younger vines and an overall approach that seeks to preserve freshness give the wine considerable energy. There is a lot to like here, including the price. Hélène Seillan's Cenyth wines continue to impress. Seillan seems to be going for a slightly fresher style than at Vérité, where she works alongside her parents. Part of that is attributable to a shorter barrel aging regime, an emphasis on Cabernet Franc and younger vine age, but I think it also reflects a more contemporary approach as well. Needless to say, it will be fascinating to watch how things develop here over the coming years, and hopefully beyond. (AG)
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2012 Proprietary Red (3,847 cases) is a blend of 60% Cabernet Franc, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot that was aged in 30% new oak. It is a delicious, fruit-forward, delicate, Bordeaux-styled red revealing notes of blackcurrants, blueberries, licorice and earth. Medium to full-bodied, round and easygoing, it is best consumed over the next 7-8 years.
The 2012 Red Wine Sonoma County comes across as very tight at this stage. It is also resting in tank awaiting bottling, which may explain the wine's reticence. With time in the glass, the wine's pure depth begins to emerge. The 2012 is a huge wine that needs time to fully come together. Black cherries, plums, violets, cloves and menthol flesh out as the wine shows off its personality. In 2012, the blend is 56% Cabernet Franc, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot.