TN: 2002 Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard (USA, California, Napa Valley)

WINE TALK
1
  • 2002 Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley (7/12/2009)
    Opened at Liquid Assets 2002 Blind Tasting with 11 other top notch Cali Cabs, this was my favorite. Full bodied, notes of graphite and a minerality that I’ve always enjoyed with Eisele Vineyard fruit. Wonderful, it has everything I like in a Cab. Beat out Harlan, Sloan, Bryant and others. Decanted one hour before tasting. Highly recommended. (98 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

2

Thanks for the note. I loved this wine. I have 1 lone bottle … trying to hold off but it keeps calling me.

Jason

3

J-Hmmm. Thinking of on offline for Araujo vertical…1994-2005…interested???

4

Sounds awesome. Thanks for the great note.
Would like to try an Araujo one day.

5

I’ll bring one and you bring some old Arcadian that you always rave about . . .

6

yes :wink:

7

BTW- here are two recent tastes of Araujos for me:

Araujo Estate Eisele Cabernet 2003:
Drinking this after the L’Aventure was easy- they both had similar visual profiles, and nearly identical aromatic profiles. Although the Araujo showed a lot more chocolate and mocha on the nose, less floral notes and a bit of scorched earth. In the glass it was a whole different ball game. Loads of black currants, cherries, espresso roast, cigar box and crushed spices (pink peppercorn?). The longer we hung out with the wine the more lush and perfumed the fruit became, and I found some notes of oolong tea and graphite. At the very end of the night, after we had paid the check I noticed one of guests still had a little wine in her glass- she offered it freely!!!- by this point the wine had found a new place and was singing a whole different tune. White chocolate, Asian spices and lavender were playing together with sweet red cherries- what a great way to end an evening. 97 points

Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard 1994:
Last night, for my birthday, my wife and I ventured to the W Hotel in downtown Atlanta to BLT for dinner. While the space (and hotel, really) are nothing to write home about, the food was pretty outstanding. Paired with our entrees, and after a very nice 375 of Krug MV, we had a bottle of '94 Araujo. I have always thought this was one of the best Cabernets made from this estate and from this vintage. This bottle was only a “good” example though- I have had a few better ones.

The nose was a brooding mix of black licorice, sea salt, plums and crushed stones. It took a while to calm down and morph into something more delicate and smooth. But when it did (calm itself) the wine was quiet charming. And even though it seemed to be (mostly) an onslaught of blackberry and cassis with dolops of flowers, smoke, wood and vanilla I think the wine (or at least this version of it!?) was still complex enough. Did I want more? Yes. Was I asking too much? Probably. Only because I have had better versions before. And only because I though this wine had not reached its appogee yet. If it has, then hey, it is still a beauty . . . and it will proabably still go for another five to seven years at this pace. But another fifteen to twenty? I doubt it. Either way it was a nice night with my wife and a nice bottle of wine. 94 points

8

2002 Araujo Cab was great at the Ghost Horse dinner…second place…2005 Ghost Horse was first, though.

9

Hopefully when The Todds hang out, there will be some GH poured…

10

Perhaps The Todd could join the expert panel!

11

Yeah!! Except, I was 99% sure I was passing on the '06…you are NOT helping my finances! [stirthepothal.gif] [bleh.gif]



Cheers!
Marshall [wink.gif]

12

Marshall-TELL ME about it! Must have it, cannot have it, MUST have it…

13

Always a terrific wine. I know you can’t pass on it [wink.gif] .
I love the Araujo Eisele

14

When she I come by for some when I visit? flirtysmile flirtysmile flirtysmile flirtysmile flirtysmile (it’s a 5 flirty wine). A great source for back vintage ones are at Winebid. Picked up an 01 Araujo for $160 last year and some 05 for $205!

15

Carrie; It is one of my absolute favorites! That is what makes the decision to pass even tougher… [pillow-fight.gif] It may be the first time I actually look for this wine in the secondary market… [help.gif]

Cheers!
Marshall [wink.gif]