2010 Celani Family Tenacious Red
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Tasting notes
The 2010 Tenacious ratchets up the level of intensity and is less evolved as well as more full-bodied and structured than the 2009. Although approachable, it will be even better following several more years of bottle age, and should keep for a decade or more. The Celani Family Vineyards offerings include the Merlot-dominated Tenacious and the Ardore created from their finest lots of Cabernet Sauvignon. These are cool climate efforts primarily from the Coombsville area of southern Napa Valley. Proprietors Tom and Vicky Celani have secured Mark Herold as their wine consultant. The three vintages of Tenacious are all blends of 69% Merlot and the rest mostly Cabernet Franc and a touch of Petit Verdot. They are all forward, easy-to-drink wines that may lack serious concentration, but they are charming and pleasant. The Cabernet Sauvignons tend to be either 100% Cabernet Sauvignon or blends of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. The finest wines are the 100% Cabernet Sauvignon cuvees called Ardore. Tel. (877) ARDORE1
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(a 60/40 blend of merlot and cabernet franc): Bright red-ruby. Enticing aromas of black cherry, licorice, espresso, minerals, violet and mocha oak. Juicy and intense, with harmonious ripe acidity giving shape to the nicely concentrated black fruit and chocolate flavors. Slightly high-toned but shows more energy than the 2009 release. Plenty of chocolatey oak here but has the stuffing to support it. Smooth tannins will not get in the way of enjoying this wine now, but there's no rush to drink it.