Araujo Estate Red Blend ‘Altagracia’ 2011

Introduction

Since 1971, some of California’s most ageworthy and intensely-flavored Cabernet Sauvignons have been made from grapes grown at the Eisele Vineyard, located on a benchland near the northern end of Napa Valley, just east of Calistoga. Protected by the Palisades Mountains to the north and cooled by westerly breezes from the Chalk Hill Gap, this 38-acre vineyard is planted on warm cobbly soils that produce a low-yielding crop of exceptionally concentrated fruit.

The Eisele Vineyard has again shown its ability to deliver wines of distinction in atypical vintages. The minerality and quality of tannins which are Eisele hallmarks couple with fine, generous texture to give us a delicious wine of particular vitality and elegance. This Altagracia bears the signature of this unique place.

91 Points – James Suckling

Juicy and savory. Extremely well done for the second wine of Araujo. Iodine and stone. Drink or hold.