The Wine Exchange had a special offer last year on 2004 Cenit. At $19.99 a bottle it was more than 50% off what a lot of merchants offered as their retail price.
I opened the second bottle last night of what I have on hand. Cenit is made from Tempranillo originating from 60-100 year old, ungrafted vines near Toro. Importer Jorge Ordonez is one of the partners in this project and it is under the winemaking direction of Amy Hopkinson (who has trained with Chris Ringland).
Nice dark plum and blackberry with some graphite and kirsch notes — medium/full to full body. 14.5% alcohol and fairly concentrated but not too forward, extracted or lacking complexity. I don’t know if I would buy this again at retail, but you can find it discounted and it is worth seeking out.
Robert Parker reports “The deep purple-colored 2004 offers more nuances, complexity, and aromatic intensity (graphite, blackberries, blueberries, and spice box) than the 2003 along with great elegance allied with fabulous richness and full body. It should drink well for a decade. Think of it as a more delineated, complex version of the 2003.
92 — Robert Parker
2003 vintage notes
Made from 60- to 100-year-old ungrafted Tinta de Toro vines, the 2003 Cenit boasts outstanding concentration as well as beautiful intensity. Deep ruby-red. Sexy aromas of red currant, mocha, black licorice and minerals, with a sweet overlay of oak. Sweet, lush and round but serious, with deep, concentrated flavors of plum, black raspberry and licorice. Finishes with dusty, toothcoating tannins and very good length.’
90 points — Stephen Tanzer
