Winemaker Notes
The 2015 Cenyth is a bright, youthful blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine’s color is a dark, inviting ruby, its bouquet illuminated by the fresh aromas of lilac, ripe raspberry, blackberry and plum. Lively and layered, there is a slight tartness of young black cherry and soft, lingering notes of blueberry and huckleberry. Clean and precise, the subtle hints of bay leaf and mint are met with chords of sweet leather, silky clove and cedar with an underlying earthiness of iron, clay and truffles. Strong tannins and a smooth, long finish complete a complex and playful wine.
Blend: 61% Cabernet Franc, 22% Merlot and 17% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Cenyth Red Wine Blend—composed of 60% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Malbec—is scented of crème de cassis, mocha and sautéed herbs with a waft of forest floor. Medium-bodied, the palate is firmly structured with chewy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing on a savory/earthy note.
Range: 91-93
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
Home to a diverse array of smaller AVAs with varied microclimates and soil types, Sonoma County has something for every wine lover. Physically twice as large as Napa Valley, the region only produces about half the amount of wine but boasts both tremendous quality and variety. With its laid-back atmosphere and down-to-earth attitude, the wineries of Sonoma are appreciated by wine tourists for their friendliness and approachability. The entire county intends to become a 100% sustainable winegrowing region by 2019.
Sonoma County wines are produced with carefully selected grape varieties to reflect the best attributes of their sites—Dry Creek Valley’s consistent sunshine is ideal for Zinfandel, while the warm Alexander Valley is responsible for rich, voluptuous red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are important throughout the county, most notably in the cooler AVAs of Russian River, Sonoma Coast and Carneros. Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Syrah have also found a firm footing here.