Eisele Vineyard - Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Price: $575.00
| Producer | Eisele Vineyard |
| Country | United States |
| Region | California |
| Subregion | Calistoga |
| Varietal | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Vintage | 2014 |
| Sku | 01948 |
Eisele Vineyard Description
In wine, there is nothing so immutable as the land. Vintages offer variation, as do winemakers and proprietors. Mother Nature is capricious, always wanting the last word. But the land is a constant, its geology and composition immovable. At the heart of every great wine is a piece of land like no other.
First planted to vines in the 1880s, Eisele Vineyard sits in the northeast Napa Valley, just east of Calistoga at the base of the Palisades Mountain range. Farmed organically since 1998 and biodynamically since 2000, the site has been principally dedicated to Cabernet Sauvignon for the last fifty years. Beginning with the inaugural release bearing the Eisele name in 1971, this iconic vineyard has received consistent recognition for possessing one of the great terroirs of Napa Valley. The wines invariably express the exceptional depth, elegance and longevity which are hallmarks of the Eisele Vineyard.
Our vision is nothing less than to re-embrace the long history of Eisele Vineyard while realizing the full potential of this remarkable estate. Preserving and expanding upon the vineyard’s distinguished legacy in Napa Valley — and among the great winegrowing estates of the world — is both an honor and our aspiration. Through intellectual rigor, humility, and with the utmost respect for the land, our aim is to make wines that speak of the Eisele Vineyard in the most authentic way possible.
WINEGROWING INFORMATION:
While winter rainfall in Napa Valley was half the normal amount, heavy rains in March deeply soaked the Eisele Vineyard soils immediately before emergence of the first shoots, stimulating humification and healthy vine growth. Warm weather without frosts led to one of the earliest bud breaks on record. Bloom was two weeks earlier than in 2013 and fast, homogenous flowering ensured good fruit set with small clusters. Mild July weather allowed slow ripening of the grapes, which progressed more rapidly during August and September heat to maturity. Cabernet harvest started on September 15th and ended October 1st. Delicate clusters resulting from late season heat were welcomed by our vigilant sorting crew. Slow fermentations were conducted with gentle extraction to deliver delicious fruit personality. A careful choice of toasts and origins, tailored to each vineyard block, allowed the wines to reveal their character during barrel aging. The Eisele Vineyard grapes are certified ‘Organic’ by California Certified Organic Farmers and ‘Biodynamic’ by Demeter.
TASTING NOTES:
The winemaker notes: “The 2014 vintage is classic Eisele, displaying a more forward character than 2013. The nose opens on notes of white flowers, wild berries, blackcurrant, blackberries and dried rose petals, characteristic of the Eisele fruit, with subtle undertones of vanilla, cinnamon and grilled almonds. With aeration, it progressively gives way to freshly-cut ripe cherries. The ample mouthfeel is very silky with tight-knit, chiseled tannins that support this vintage’s aristocratic figure. The fruit is pure, sustained by deliciously ripe and savory undertones. The delicately saline finish of the 2014 lingers with pepper, turmeric and licorice. In this great vintage, the wine combines outstanding brightness and aromatic complexity with the Eisele hallmarks of elegance and finesse.”
Wine Advocate: 94 Points
The wines from the extremely hot drought year, 2014, were just bottled prior to my visit. The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon reflects the vintage’s precociousness and front-end loaded, flattering style. It is medium to full-bodied, shows beautiful fruit purity, deep black raspberry and blackcurrant fruit, moving toward blacker berries. There is a floral characteristic, spice, and a full-bodied, lush mouthfeel with silky tannin.
