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Wine Description
The Story
First planted to vines in the 1880s, Eisele Vineyard sits in the northeast Napa Valley, just east of Calistoga at the base of the Palisades Mountain range. Farmed organically since 1998 and biodynamically since 2000, the site has been principally dedicated to Cabernet Sauvignon for the last fifty years. Beginning with the inaugural release bearing the Eisele name in 1971, this iconic vineyard has received consistent recognition for possessing one of the great terroirs of Napa Valley. The wines invariably express the exceptional depth, elegance and longevity which are hallmarks of the Eisele Vineyard.
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.
Wine Information
The magnificent 2019 vintage was born under the best possible conditions, with an abundance of well- timed rain and sunshine with no excess. Intense and sophisticated, the wine unveils with deep aromas of blue fruits, Bigarreau cherries and violets followed by subtle notes of rosemary and pencil lead. The mouthfeel is silky smooth, with incredible definition and finesse. Perfectly ripe and tight-knit tannins support the youthful energy of the fruit, layered with wild blueberry coulis. The very long finish lingers with mineral notes of graphite and volcanic soil, laced with aromas of Madagascar vanilla, cinnamon and wilted roses. The 2019 is beautiful, evocative and complex. Still, so much has yet to be revealed with bottle age. This is the quintessence of the Eisele Vineyard terroir.
Vintage 2019
The 2019 vintage had an ideal start with abundant winter rains that contributed to good mineralization in the soils. Low temperatures in February led to the latest bud break and bloom since 2012. A cool and rainy Spring put our vignerons in perfect conditions to perform their craft as the plants grew slowly, leading to plush and perfectly manicured canopies. As the season progressed, mild climatic demand combined with a late onset of moderate water stress encouraged good polyphenol development. A warm and dry summer favored a rapid veraison, an even ripening of the clusters and a natural concentration of flavors. All the elements of a historic vintage were aligned. The autumnal equinox (September 23rd) marked the beginning of the Cabernet Sauvignon harvest within the heart of the alluvial fan while the hillside fruit came in last on October 3rd.
There was barely any sorting necessary in the cellar. The perfect ripeness of the skins resulted in a high level of polymeric anthocyanin and moderate tannin levels, leading to very silky and expressive young wines. This 2019 vintage was aged for 19 months in a combination of French oak barrels (93%) and Austrian oak foudres (7%), amounting to 100% new oak.
The Eisele Vineyard grapes are certified ‘Organic’ by CCOF and ‘Biodynamic’ by Demeter.
