Roy Estate

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

9.54 ratings
9.31 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy
Top Notes For
Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I attended a luncheon-tasting recently with the Chef of Roy Estate & several other wineries participating in the tasting. Roy tasted their 2016 & 2007. I bought both. The 16 better than the 2007. Both very different & quite good. This 07 on its own is not as good as it is with steak. Moves between 93 & 94 with the Ribcap.

The nose is lush & brooding. It shows; blackberries, black raspberries, extremely dark cherries, both plums, poached strawberries, blueberries, boysenberries, dark chocolate cake, dark spices, steeped fruit tea, mid berry cola, black & red licorice, nicely, gently, layered baking spices, sweet tarriness-forest floor, leather, dry tobacco, some graphite, caramel-mocha, light black pepper, soft charcoal ash, limestone, dry crushed rocks.-top soil, candied-withering dark, red flowers.

The palate is ripe, round, lush/plush with M-M+ velvety tannins. Nothing that speaks astringent.Blackberries, black raspberries, extremely dark cherry kirsch liqueur, both plums into pudding, poached strawberries, blueberries, boysenberries, some pomegranate, dark spices with mid penetrating heat, steeped fruit tea, mid berry cola, black & red licorice, nicely, gently, layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin in that order, herbaceous, savory notes, understated mint-spearmint, sweet tarriness-forest floor, leather, dry tobacco, some graphite, melted dark chocolate, caramel-mocha, light black pepper, soft charcoal ash, limestone, dry crushed rocks-top soil, candied-withering dark, red flowers, excellent round acidity with good tension/structure, well balanced, long length and elegant finish for minutes that long sets on spice & earth.

From their terrace, they have the best hillside rolling vineyards in Napa I have seen.

I attended a luncheon-tasting recently with the Chef of Roy Estate & several other wineries participating in the tasting. Roy tasted their 2016 & 2007. I bought both. The 16 better than the 2007. Both very different & quite good. This 07 on its own is not as good as it is with steak. Moves between 93 & 94 with the Ribcap.

The nose is lush & brooding. It shows; blackberries, black raspberries, extremely dark cherries, both plums, poached strawberries, blueberries, boysenberries, dark chocolate cake, dark spices, steeped fruit tea, mid berry cola, black & red licorice, nicely, gently, layered baking spices, sweet tarriness-forest floor, leather, dry tobacco, some graphite, caramel-mocha, light black pepper, soft charcoal ash, limestone, dry crushed rocks.-top soil, candied-withering dark, red flowers.

The palate is ripe, round, lush/plush with M-M+ velvety tannins. Nothing that speaks astringent.Blackberries, black raspberries, extremely dark cherry kirsch liqueur, both plums into pudding, poached strawberries, blueberries, boysenberries, some pomegranate, dark spices with mid penetrating heat, steeped fruit tea, mid berry cola, black & red licorice, nicely, gently, layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin in that order, herbaceous, savory notes, understated mint-spearmint, sweet tarriness-forest floor, leather, dry tobacco, some graphite, melted dark chocolate, caramel-mocha, light black pepper, soft charcoal ash, limestone, dry crushed rocks-top soil, candied-withering dark, red flowers, excellent round acidity with good tension/structure, well balanced, long length and elegant finish for minutes that long sets on spice & earth.

From their terrace, they have the best hillside rolling vineyards in Napa I have seen.

Jun 6th, 2026
Nic Irving

Stewed plums, dried dark fruits with some dried cranberry. This is a great Roy. Less perfumed than the 2006 and more lushy than the 2009. Excellent wine.

Stewed plums, dried dark fruits with some dried cranberry. This is a great Roy. Less perfumed than the 2006 and more lushy than the 2009. Excellent wine.

Oct 18th, 2016
Martin Sher

Martin had this 9 years ago

Martin had this 9 years ago

Aug 12th, 2017
Desireé Schmidt

Desireé had this 13 years ago

Desireé had this 13 years ago

Oct 4th, 2013