Eisele Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2018
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James
Suckling - Decanter
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Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Blend: 82% Sauvignon Blanc Musqué,18% Sauvignon Blanc
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Sliced apples and limes on the nose with grassy and chamomile notes. But then it turns to honeysuckle, chalk and minerals. Full-bodied with papaya, sliced-pear and green-pineapple flavors. Tight and fresh at the end. Crunchy acidity. Solid density. Energetic finish.
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Decanter
I'm always a big fan of this Sauvignon Blanc, for me it's one of the best examples of the grape that you can find in California (and beats most of them from Bordeaux). There is clear varietal character on the nose, with the precision of Sauvignon, but it's not overly done. The green notes on the palate come through as savoury and juicy, keepings things on the right side of mouthwatering without straying into tart and firmly emphasising citrus and crushed rock minerality, where the flavours squeeze and pick up through the palate.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Already bottled, the 2018 Sauvignon Blanc bursts from the glass with energetic notes of fresh grapefruit, lime leaves, green apples and orange blossoms with wafts of dill seed and white pepper. Medium-bodied, the palate is practically electric with vibrant citrus and apple flavors and a wonderfully spicy background, finishing fantastically long, minerally and refreshing.
Rating: 94+ -
Wine Spectator
Aromatic and succulent, with highlights of fresh lemongrass, thyme and chive flower complementing the juicy pomelo, pear and Meyer lemon flavors at the core. A whiff of lanolin and saline adds a savory thread, showing terrific harmony and complexity on the supple finish. Drink now.
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When we arrived at Araujo Estate in 2013, forty vintages had already carried the Eisele Vineyard designation. We admire and respect these wines immensely. Their exceptional balance, elegance and restraint spoke to us, and we found the expression of terroir to be pure, honest and unmistakable. We were captivated and humbled, knowing that giving voice to this place would be both a privilege and a challenge.
As we continue to write the history of Eisele Vineyard, we build on the spirit of stewardship that defines its past. Our journey here is an exploration, a quest to understand this vineyard more deeply — its geologic construct, the variations in terroir, and the nature of its ancient soils. Changes, when considered, are only in service to letting the terroir speak more clearly. To this work, our experienced team brings creativity, curiosity, and an unflagging passion for excellence.
Capable of a vast array of styles, Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, refreshing variety that equally reflects both terroir and varietal character. Though it can vary depending on where it is grown, a couple of commonalities always exist—namely, zesty acidity and intense aromatics. This variety is of French provenance. Somm Secret—Along with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family.
One of the world's most highly regarded regions for wine production as well as tourism, the Napa Valley was responsible for bringing worldwide recognition to California winemaking. In the 1960s, a few key wine families settled the area and hedged their bets on the valley's world-class winemaking potential—and they were right.
The Napa wine industry really took off in the 1980s, when producers scooped up vineyard lands and planted vines throughout the county. A number of wineries emerged, and today Napa is home to hundreds of producers ranging from boutique to corporate. Cabernet Sauvignon is definitely the grape of choice here, with many winemakers also focusing on Bordeaux blends. White wines from Napa Valley are usually Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that claim specific wine characteristics based on situation, slope and soil. Farthest south and coolest from the influence of the San Pablo Bay is Carneros, followed by Coombsville to its northeast and then Yountville, Oakville and Rutherford. Above those are the warm St. Helena and the valley's newest and hottest AVA, Calistoga. These areas follow the valley floor and are known generally for creating rich, dense, complex and smooth red wines with good aging potential. The mountain sub appellations, nestled on the slopes overlooking the valley AVAs, include Stags Leap District, Atlas Peak, Chiles Valley (farther east), Howell Mountain, Mt. Veeder, Spring Mountain District and Diamond Mountain District. Napa Valley wines from the mountain regions are often more structured and firm, benefiting from a lot of time in the bottle to evolve and soften.