2011 Roy Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Grilled Provencal herbs, mint, licorice, graphite, ash, smoke and fennel jump from the glass in the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2011 is wonderfully alive and nuanced, with classically firm 2011 tannins and terrific balance, if a bit less of the early appeal typical of the Roy wines. The aromas and flavors are intensely mineral and savory, giving the 2011 a sauvage quality that is distinct and beautiful, if a touch eccentric in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. At times the 2011 recalls Aglianico in its expression.

Harvested between the 19th and 28th of October, the deep ruby/plum-hued 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is a blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. An atypically charming, round, soft and lush effort from Roy Estate, it possesses lots of red and black currant notes intermixed with hints of underbrush and forest floor. It will provide pleasant drinking now and over the next 10-15 years. 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

(blended with 5% petit verdot): Good bright ruby. Highly nuanced nose offers cassis, blackberry, licorice, bitter chocolate, violet and dusty spices. Rich and energetic on the palate, offering a refined texture and lovely inner-mouth perfume to the dark berry, graphite and stony mineral flavors. Conveys an impression of slow and regular ripening of the fruit. Finishes subtle, long and aromatic, with very smooth tannins and an intriguing smoky quality. Potentially superb for the year. This estate on the eastern side of Napa Valley, in the foothills of the Vaca Mountains, suffered a poor fruit set in both 2010 and 2011 and production in the latter year was barely a ton an acre, according to proprietor Shirley Roy.