2021 Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon $649.99…..9 bottles available

2021 Eisele Vineyard ‘Altagracia’ Cabernet Sauvignon $159.99

Shipping included

Has it already been a decade since the Araujo family sold the iconic Eisele Vineyard to the Artemis Group, the French organization that owns Chateau Latour? Though we certainly miss visiting the Araujos, to Artemis’ credit, they’ve not changed a lot, or any of the things that made the wines grown and produced here so amazing. They still farm organically and biodynamically, they still micromanage everything about the estate down to the last grape, both in and out of the cellar, and they still have a longstanding wine growing and production team dedicated to making the best wine possible from this historic estate. This is an incredible spot and, under its current inspired leadership, definitely making wines that would, like Latour in Bordeaux, be considered ‘Premier Grand Cru!’ We know they are on a par with anything produced in California. Though they produce a miniscule amount of Viognier and Syrah, they still lead with only three wines- a stylish Sauvignon Blanc and the two fabulous reds; the one-and-only Eisele Vineyard Cabernet made 100% from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown on the estate, and an impressive wine fashioned from all-estate Cab, 5% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. The former, in the great 2021 vintage, is, simply, one of the best versions of this wine we’ve ever tasted. If it has a peer, it might be the 1994 Araujo Eisele Cab that I sometimes still dream about. It’s all about texture here- a silkiness on the palate whose fine veneer covers a terroir-driven core of iron. Aromatically, it’s intoxicating with all those juicy crushed blackberries, Kirsch, candied violets, beautiful black earth and Five Spice mingles together. Those give way to a rich, but somehow still gossamer mouthfeel and an uh-so-long finish. This is about as classy as it gets folks! 

Wait! You don’t have $650 to spend on a bottle of Napa Cab? How about Altagracia, the Eisele wine for the rest of us!? Taking advantage of the old vine Petite Verdot and Cab Franc on the property, it’s assembled with an eye towards earlier drinking and a more immediate velvety mouthfeel. Other than that, really, there’s not that much to separate the two! In ten years, of course, that might not be true but right now, for the money, I think I’ll open a bottle Altagracia! Think Les Forts de Latour……

Lisa Perroti-Brown, The Wine Independent on the Altagracia: Deep garnet-purple in color, it charges out of the gate with bold notes of blackcurrant pastilles, wild blueberries, and redcurrant jelly followed by hints of cinnamon stick, clove oil, dusty soil, and mossy tree bark. The full-bodied palate is packed with vibrant black berry and baking spice layers with an approachable frame of velvety tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing with a perfumed lift. 93 points

And on the Eisele: Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon needs a bit of swirl-ing to coax out wonderfully pure, well-defined notes of crushed blackcurrants, juicy black plums, and fresh Bing cherries giving way to an undercurrent of lilacs, star anise, and tar with a waft of fertile loam. The full-bodied palate is laden with tightly wound black berry and floral layers, framed by super-firm, super-fine-grained tannins and beautiful tension, finishing with epic length. Wow! 100 points

James Suckling on the Altagracia: A solid Altagracia with currants, blueberries and pine and bark aromas and some sweet tobacco. Aromas that follow through on the palate to a full body with a well-framed tannin profile. Crunchy at the end. Juicy too. Needs a couple of years to come together. From biodynamically grown grapes with Dem-eter certification. Best after 2027. 96 points

And on the Eisele: 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. 99 points