 |
1997 Araujo Estate Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard Napa Valley
| Vineyard: | Araujo Estate Wines |
| Price: | $249.99 |
| Retail Price: | |
| Varietal: | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Style: | Red |
WINEMAKER'S NOTE
Grapes were hand-sorted in the vineyard, gently crushed into small stainless steel tanks, fermented individually by vineyard block, then aged for 22 months in 75% new French oak barrels.
Winemaker Francoise Peschon notes: This wine is delicious, smooth and seamless with layered flavors of cassis, dried plums, pomegranate, spicy cinnamon, and cedar that coat the palate, ending in a long spicy finish touched with lead pencil. While bursting with fruit, it is impressive in its elegance, balance and harmony. It should age gracefully for 20 or more years.
Expert Reviews
-
International Wine CellarFull ruby-red. Expressive nose combines black raspberry, currant, black cherry, chocolate, tobacco and sandalwood. Lush and sweet but fresh, with a firm edge of acidity giving shape to the flavors. Big and mouthfilling but not at all heavy. The tannins are suave and fine. A bit dominated by the oak today. This wine is virtually always in an awkward stage about six months after the bottling, says Bart Araujo, although I recall that the '96 was atypically showy a year ago.
-
Wine AdvocateThe 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard, is a beauty. The healthy ruby/purple color is followed by classic, unevolved but promising aromas of minerals, cedar, smoke, and black currants. The wine is medium to full-bodied, with admirable purity, a sweet, lush mid-palate, and ripe tannin in the finish. The top-notch 1997 is a classic, restrained. Anticipated maturity: now-2020.
-
DescriptionThis wine, with its rich black ruby color, exudes complex aromas of dried cranberries, ripe cherries, nutmeg, roasted coffee, and dusty potpourri. It fills the mouth with firm, dense, luscious fruit and fine, silky tannins.
-
Robert Parker
-
Wine Spectator
