Winemaker Notes

Professional Ratings

  • 94
    Composed of two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon blended with 25% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot, the Bordeaux-like 2002 Eloge reveals zesty acidity, noticeable tannin and a closed style. It is impressively endowed with high class unsmoked cigar tobacco notes intertwined with black cherry and black currant fruit, and notions of damp earth, new saddle leather and barbecue sauce. Forget about this well-made 2002 for another 3-4 years and enjoy it over the following two decades.
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Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.

Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.

SEC662886_2002 Item# 662886