Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Wonderful depth, richness, texture and complexity to this, with tiers of leathery currant, earth, anise, sage and the hallmark mineral aftertaste.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 1996 Syrah Eisele Vineyard (350 cases) is a full-bodied, brawny wine revealing the tell-tale peppery, blackberry, and cassis scents that seem so easy to obtain with this varietal in California. It is rich and pure, with sweet tannin and plenty of power harnessed in a symmetrical, large-scaled effort that is not without considerable elegance for its mass and volume. This wine can be drunk now, but should be even better with 2-3 years of cellaring, and should last for 15 or more years.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
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.