2011 Roy Estate Proprietary Red

Roy's 2011 Proprietary Red wraps around the palate with sweet dark raspberries, mocha, espresso, plums, spices and menthol. This is a surprisingly round, inviting wine for the year, with no hard edges and open, inviting personality that is hard to resist. Sweet, silky tannins support the generous finish. This is a terrific showing for the year.

The 2011 Proprietary Red is composed of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 9% Petit Verdot. It exhibits lots of iron, surprisingly silky tannins, medium body and a shorter, less substantial style than the 2010. It comes across as elegant with lots of tobacco leaf, red and black currant fruit and some dusty, earthy notes. Production was significantly lower in 2011, with only 400 cases produced versus the normal 600+ cases. This estate is run by Shirley Roy, who continues to be inspired by the work her deceased husband began on their 17-acre estate tucked away in one of Napa Valley’s more secluded areas, Soda Canyon. They now have 12 blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon, 3 blocks of Merlot and 2 blocks of Petit Verdot, and the vineyard, which is in the foothills of the Vaca Mountains, continues to go from strength to strength. My favorite wine is usually their Cabernet Sauvignon. Tel. (707) 255-4409

(69% cabernet sauvignon, 22% merlot and 9% petit verdot): Good bright ruby. Lively blackberry and blueberry aromas accented by flowers and rocky minerality; more vibrant than the 2010. Then juicy, fine-grained and concentrated, with noteworthy energy and ripe peppery acidity giving shape to the dark fruit flavors. Not an opulent wine but juicy and long. Roy Estate's Proprietary Red is from the lower, loamier part of the property, while the cabernet comes from the hillside, which features rocky, shallow soil.