Winemaker Notes
Blend: 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
Our host very graciously adds the 2008 Araujo Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard, a fabulous contribution, as it allows us to explore another vintage and one of Napa Valley's most important vintages. At age 15, the 2008 remains quite young. I am surprised to see a bit more sweet oak character here than in some of the younger wines in the tasting, perhaps a reflection of the preferences of that era. Even so, the 2008 offers up plenty of Eisele character in its dark fruit, leather, tobacco, espresso, scorched earth and spice flavors. The balance here is not as perfect as it can be in the very best vintages, perhaps a lingering reminder of a season marked by drought, frost, and heat during bloom but then much more favorable conditions through the end of summer and into harvest. The 2008 was one of the first young vintages I tasted at Araujo. It's great to revisit it on this evening. Rating: 97+
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Wine Spectator
Dense, rich and enormously concentrated, mixing power with finesse. Pure, ripe, riveting aromas of blackberry, blueberry, currant, sage, cedar, espresso and mocha lead to a full-bodied palate, firming beautifully on the finish, where the flavors glide along and gain traction. Drink now through 2028.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Medium-deep color. Attractive, rich bouquet features scents of ripe plums, violet, licorice, and chocolate. As it sits, a smoky note becomes more apparent. Sweet dark berry fruit on entry; juicy and chewy in the mouth with a lot going on. This youthful, full-bodied wine gets high marks for the quality of the extracted fruit, balance, depth, complexity, and superb texture. Modest finish with a little heat at the end. There’s a bright future here.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
One of Napa Valley’s oldest wine growing subregions but last to gain appellation status, Calistoga occupies the northernmost section of the valley. Beginning at the foot of Mount St. Helena, its vineyards stretch over steep canyons and roll out onto the valley floor. The soils in Calistoga are volcanic, which means they are heavy in minerals, low in organic matter and allow good drainage for vine roots, creating less green growth and more concentration of flavor within the grape berries.
Summer days are very hot but most nights cool down with moist ocean breezes sneaking in over the Mayacamas Mountains or from Knights Valley to its northwest.
Cabernet Sauvignon is the area’s star variety with Zinfandel coming in a strong second, though the latter commands far less price per tonnage so continues to be outshined by Cabernet in vineyard acreage, save for some important exceptions.