Araujo Estate

Araujo Estate


Eisele is one of the greatest single vineyards in Northern California. Ridge made a Cabernet from this source in 1971 and Joseph Phelps made a succession of fine wines throughout the 70s and 80s. However, since Bart and Daphne Araujo acquired the property in 1991, they have been responsible for producing some of the world`s greatest and most sought after Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines. Eisele Vineyard is a 40 acre single vineyard with warm cobbly soils, located on a benchland just east of Calistoga, protected by the Palisades Mountains to the north and cooled by westerly breezes from the Chalk Hill Gap. Viticulture has always been predominantly organic but they have now converted fully to biodynamic practices. The Cabernet is a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, fermented individually, by vineyard block, in very small tanks and run off into French oak (75% new) in which malolactic fermentation takes place. It was bottled after 22 months unfined and unfiltered. Altagracia, a second wine, has been produced from about 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and equal quantities of Petit Verdot and Merlot deemed not quite good enough to make the final blend (a further declassification is sold in bulk). It is, however, excellent and represents great value. The Syrah is extremely fine and is one of California`s best examples of this varietal. It includes 4% (co-fermented) Eisele Viognier and after a long maceration is aged for 21 months in French barrels (70% new) and bottled without fining or filtration. The Sauvignon Blanc, which is mainly from the Musque clone, includes 4% Viognier and is one of California`s finest and most vibrant examples. It is fermented in stainless steel `barriques` and new, water-bent Saury oak barrels, which means that it gains complexity and lusciousness from the lees, whilst retaining great purity and varietal expression. Once again, the sheer quality of these releases proves this iconic vineyard and the Araujo Estate team have no betters in Northern California.

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