Wine Advisor
Araujo, Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard (1,600 cases made from 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot, but winemaker Francois Peschon was quick to say they might tweak the blend as it evolves) is higher in alcohol than the 2002 or 2001, but it is a wine of great intensity and stature. Elegant notes of flowers, minerals, black fruits, and smoke are followed by a wine with beautiful fruit, medium to full body, tremendous intensity, and a finish that lasts nearly a full minute. A more streamlined style of Cabernet than the more voluptuous 2002 or the more muscular 2001, this beautifully made Cabernet should be accessible when released in a year. It will evolve for 15-20 years. (Release date 9/06) (Released in a year. It will evolve for 15-20 years. ) Tel. (707) 942-6061; Fax (707) 942-6471
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Absolutely superb, this 2003 is drinking beautifully. This blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot from the famous hillside Eisele Vineyard in northeast Napa Valley tips the scales at 14.5% natural alcohol. Gorgeously fresh black currant and black raspberry notes intermixed with spring flowers and forest floor jump from the glass from one of the most aromatically complex wines of the vintage. Medium to full-bodied with sweet fruit, velvety, melted, integrated tannin, a round, generous mouthfeel and no evidence of oak, this is a classy, elegant as well as substantial beauty that continues to age well. It may even be superior to Araujo’s 2002, which, on paper, is a better vintage. The seductive, alluring 2003 should remain at this level for another 5-8 years, but there is no reason to defer your gratification. Bravo! Tel. (707) 942-6061; Fax (707) 942-6471
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
One of the candidates for “wine of the vintage,” the 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard represents 1,600 cases produced from a 40-acre vineyard, which tells you how Draconian Araujo’s selection process is. The final blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot has resulted in a beautifully pure wine displaying an extraordinary floral, black currant, and mineral-scented bouquet, with no hint of new oak. The purity, richness and full-bodied power yet surreal finesse and impeccable balance should be cherished by wine lovers. This beauty can be drunk now and over the next two decades. Wow! Tel. (707) 942-6061; Fax (707) 942-6471
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
There are only 1,600 cases of the 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard, which comes close to equaling the virtually perfect 2002. A blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot, it reveals extraordinary complexity in its floral, crushed rock, licorice, high class cigar tobacco, creme de cassis, and Asian spice-scented bouquet. With an opaque purple color, full body, great structure, a layered, multi-textured mouthfeel, and a fabulously long finish, it is a remarkable Cabernet that should age effortlessly for 20-25 years. There is a lot of praise to go around at this impeccably run winery located southeast of Calistoga. Proprietors Bart and Daphne Araujo have set the bar high, and they have the requisite talent in their winemaking team, led by Francoise Peschon and consulting oenologist Michel Rolland. In short, they have the resources to do whatever they can from this fabulous site. Production is still small because they insist on an incredibly strict selection, rarely producing more than 2,000 cases from their 40 acres of vineyards. (Release date 9/06) Tel. (707) 942-6061; Fax (707) 942-6471
About the Producer
Araujo produces four wines regularly: the Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon; the Altagracia Bordeaux blend that also contains fruit from other Napa Valley vineyards: as well as small volumes of Eisele Vineyard Syrah; as well as a Sauvignon Blanc. In some years, Araujo also produces an Eisele Vineyard Viognier.
