Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
The aromas of hazelnut, blueberries, tobacco, bay leaf, terra cotta and iodine are very impressive and broad, giving great interest. Notes of spearmint and eucalyptus. Full-bodied yet hemmed in with firm, velvety tannins that frame the wine nicely with plums,chocolate and spice. Refined tannins. 45% aged in 10-hectoliter casks. Hand crafted. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink after 2029.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon brings another level of refinement and elegance. All Cabernet Sauvignon from the northern parcels along the road, it has a gorgeous perfume of red and black currants, new leather, dried flowers, and tobacco that changes beautifully with time in the glass. These all carry to a full-bodied Cabernet with incredible purity and finesse, flawless balance, ultra-fine tannins, and a beautiful finish. It's all about finesse and elegance, as well as complexity, yet still brings beautiful richness and a certain sense of salty minerality. It will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and evolve for 25-30 years.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
All Cabernet Sauvignon from the estate, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon starts off with vaguely floral and pronounced leafy notes backed by ripe black cherries and hints of dusty earth. In the mouth, it's medium to full-bodied, expansive and silky in texture, with a long, softly tannic and mocha-tinged finish. It should evolve well for at least two decades. Rating : 96+
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Wine Spectator
This is ripe, but with subtle refinement, as the gently mulled plum, currant and black cherry fruit glides along, with a structure that is both silky and loamy in feel. Hints of warm paving stone, alder and sweet tobacco check in, with a sanguine echo at the tail end of the finish.
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.
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.