TN: 1998 Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard (USA, California, Napa Valley)

WINE TALK
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  • 1998 Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley (9/22/2009)
    Purple core, still dark red at rim. Cassis, flowers/spices and licorice on the nose with a bit of earthy complexity. Dark berries and cassis on the palate, medium body, fine tannins, nice balance, long finish, excellent wine and an overperformer for the vintage. Great match with grilled ribeyes.

Posted from CellarTracker

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The only Araujo Eisele Vineyard I’ve tried was a slightly older '93 at a Cali Cult dinner a little over a year ago. Araujo’s style stood out for me that night. For whatever it may be worth, my notes then were:

1993 Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard - Much less dense and brooding than the previous red, this had mild leather nuances to its dark fruit, cassis and violets. There was some minerality, but very, very subtle compared to the Grace. The wine itself was much more focused, purer in fruit and lighter on its feet as well.

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This was one of the wines I was most curious to try, having recently had the second wine (the 2000 Altagracia from Rene Fuentes II) which I found to be much more elegant and understated in style than most Napa cabs I’ve tried. My assessment holds true to this 15-year-old first wine - it was as elegant as its bretheren go, and was my third favorite wine of the evening.

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The '93 was the first Araujo Eisele Cab I had - and I immediately signed up for the mailing list. I’ve enjoyed many vintages since, but dropped off a few years back when prices just got too silly.