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Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 75cl

Napa Valley | California | United States of America
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Critics scores
98 Robert Parker
There are 2,600 cases of the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard. As I indicated last year, this is a fabulous effort that manages to conceal its 100% new French oak aging. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by beautiful aromas of blueberries, black currants, acacia flowers, licorice, and spice. The tannins are softer than I remember, but this is certainly one of the vintage’s most extraordinary wines. Full-bodied with a seamless integration of tannin, acidity, alcohol, and wood, it is exceptionally pure and full as well as impeccably balanced. The impression is one of elegance allied with substantial flavor authority. It can be drunk now or cellared for 25+ years. Despite having over 40-plus acres of vineyards in the northeasterly sector of Napa just south of Calistoga, the production at Araujo remains relatively limited, with the flagship wine, the Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard, producing between 1,600 and 2,200 cases of wine, and the second wine, the Altagracia, between 800 and 1,200 cases. Add to that another 1,000 cases of Sauvignon Blanc and 300-400 cases of Syrah, and there is just not a lot to go around given the greatness that can be achieved from this vineyard. Much of the credit has to go to proprietors Bart and Daphne Araujo and, of course, their top-notch winemaking team, which has always been led by Francoise Peschon. Araujo’s second wines are among the finest second wines consumers will find in northern California. For example, the Altagracia cuvees, which represent 25-35% of the production, have been outstanding examples of Cabernet Sauvignon. Araujo has done an excellent job with Syrah, which they typically co-ferment with 3-4% Viognier. Sadly, only 300-400 cases are produced.
92 Wine Spectator
Smooth, rich and savory, with dried currant, wild berry and black cherry fruit that has a dusty, savory herb and underbrush flavor that adds complexity, ending with a pretty burst of ripe fruit. This grows on you. Best from 2011 through 2018. 2,600 cases made.
Producer
Araujo Estate
Araujo Estate represents one of the original California cult wineries. Created in the 1990s, Daphne and Bart Araujos bought the 65-hectare property in Calistoga, the northern most part of Napa Valley. This property included around 14 hectares of the Eisele vineyard, which was named after the previous owners, Milt and Barbara Eisele. The plot had actually been planted in the 1880s to Zinfandel and Riesling, but in 1964 the vines were replaced with Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, the Eisele vineyard is organically and biodynamically farmed. Araujo’s first vintage was 1991, which received an impressive 96 points from Robert Parker. In 1997, Parker wrote: "I had inserted this wine in a blind tasting. I did not know where it would appear, but I knew it would be in the tasting, and I was able to pick it out when it was served. However, the rest of the tasters thought it was a large-scaled Bordeaux from the Medoc. This magnificent California Cabernet offers that exciting blend of power and elegance…Typical of many top California wines, it combines magnificent richness and ripeness with a sense of gracefulness and complexity..." In addition to their estate Cabernet, the Araujos also produce a second wine called Altagracia. In 2013, the estate was purchased by François Pinault of Artemis, who also owns Château de Latour in Bordeaux, Domaine d'Eugénie in Burgundy and Château Grillet in the northern Rhône.