Wine Maker: Cenyth

Vintage: 2009

Wine Name/Vineyard: Cenyth

Wine Category: Red Blend

Grape blend: 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petite Verdot, 7% Malbec

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: North Coast

State or country: California

Price: $45.00

ABV: 14.5%

Cases produced: N/A

The Barrel Cellar Score:  93 points

Review date: July 7, 2021

About the Winemaker: Childhood friends Julia Jackson and Helene Seillan, started Cenyth winery together. Helene grew up in both France and California and learned the wine trade from her family. Her father is in fact renowned winemaker Pierre Seillan. Helene, to this day, splits her time between Sonoma County and Saint-Emilion France, making wine at both Cenyth and her family’s estate. Cenyth is Helene’s expression of a French inspired Sonoma county wine.

Color:  Deep Purple

Nose: Oak, plum, forest floor, tobacco, toasted sugar, and various floral notes.

Taste: Cherry, Cinnamon, Cedar, Red Delicious apple, wild mushroom, and a touch of smoke.

Assessment: If given the instructions to produce a wine with the best aspects of California’s North Coast and France’s Bordeaux region, I’m not sure anyone could offer better than what’s in this bottle. Cenyth is full bodied, has delightful grippy tannins, and is coating of the palate. The Sonoma influence results in a fruit forward wine, but it isn’t jammy nor one dimensional. The notes of forest floor, wild mushrooms, and mild oak tip off the wine maker’s Bordeaux inspiration.

In attempt to characterize the wine, I will call it “bold, yet reserved” there is no ignoring the backbone and structure the body and tannins provide, but the acidity is very low and the finish is sustained – though mild, with notes of honey suckle, dried herbs, and minerality. This is a serious wine, and will please even the most dedicated of wine conneseurs.

Cenyth is a fantastic wine and worth every penny. The Barrel Cellar gives it 93 points.

Pairing recommendation: Baked Brie with Appricot preserves, Duck or Rabbit Confit, and chocolate mousse.