Araujo Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 1978

1978 Norm Minee crafted Eisele Vineyard - Milt and Barbara Eisele label showing a simple drawing of the Monstrance stone pile marker still found at Eisele vineyard today. This bottle is a true cult rarity in Napa Valley's history. Before Bart and Daphne Araujo acquired the Eisele Vineyard south of Calistoga, the original owners Milt and Barbara sold their cabernet sauvignon fruit to wineries such as Joseph Phelps, Ridge and others. Some of their clients rightfully vineyard designated their wines as Eisele because this terroir is quite special in all of all of California. This particular bottling we are drinking tonight is the rarest of the rare bottling in all of the Eisele history; it is a bottle crafted for Milt by his friend Norm Minnee. The story goes that Norm would get a couple of tons of Eisele fruit every year in the late 60's to late '70's from his friend MIlt. Norm would make the wines in his basement on Vallejo street in Saint Helena, and then split the finished with wine with Norm so that that Eisele family had their own ongoing wine holdings. The bottle is in pristine condition, base neck as acquired from a local old-timer who knew Milt personally. Upon opening the cork is sound and we greeted buy a whiff of true perfection! Oh my goodness I am getting excited here guys! The color in the glass is bright darkl purple, dazzling purple translucent glory. To the nose, holy smokes, this has a subtle smokey game meat nose and that blackberry/cherry pie residue in the pan a little bit. But the graphite and flower nose make two of us say "Mouton baby, definitely left bank, Pauillac," On the palate, one of the most concentrated sappy inky heavy wines I've had from the old guard days of Napa. But it sings too, with levity and happiness with the cherry and cassis 1 minute finish. Yet the finish is all polish and this wine is so light on its feet making it easy to drink this whole bottle tonight. And all this, from the era of 13.5% alcohols! Let's bring this style back Napa Valley. Tasted at Bottega Restaurant in Yountville with mountain man Ketan Mody and friends. Tasted May 2010

- Mario Sculatti / Sleeping Lady Vineyard