- CRITICAL REVIEWS
- WINEMAKER NOTES
Robert Parker Wine Advocate
2018 Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA
WINEGROWING INFORMATION
The 2018 winter received only a third of the previous year’s rainfall combined with low temperatures in February, delaying the vegetative cycle. Generous Spring rains arrived at the end of March a few days before budbreak, while cool temperatures continued to slow down the growth of the canopy. This allowed for extremely balanced vines with little need for intervention. Bloom occurred on May 24th, one of the latest on record. The fruit set was generous with beautifully full clusters. The ensuing Summer started warm and finished mild, without extreme climatic demand, creating ideal ripening conditions. Continuing amiable weather in August allowed a slow maturation of the fruit with off-the-charts levels of color. The team was able to harvest the front blocks (on both sides of Simmons Creek) at optimal ripeness between September 21st and October 15th, the latest harvest in 7 years. There was little to no sorting required in the cellar. Once in tank, excellent extractability resulted in a high level of polymeric anthocyanin and moderate tannin levels, leading to balanced, vibrant and refined young wines. The “elevage” conducted in a fair amount of lightly toasted oak barrels with carefully selected grains and origins, resulted in Cabernets with great finesse and a tight-knit structure that developed magnificent amplitude and length during its first year in bottle.
The Eisele Vineyard grapes are certified ‘Organic’ by CCOF and ‘Biodynamic’ by Demeter.
TASTING NOTES
The 2018 Eisele Vineyard Cabernet is one of the finest and most terroir-transparent vintages that our team had the joy to produce. Very subtle and elegant, the wine unveils a nose of intense black currants, blackberries and Burlat cherry with a scent of roses, crushed rocks, tobacco box and cocoa bean. The mouthfeel is ample and silky, exploding with layers of black and red fruits, spicy cinnamon, vanilla and earthy notes. The personality of the Eisele Vineyard terroir is unmistakable in this vintage: a precisely delineated structure, racy tannins and an incredibly refined texture, combined with great freshness from floral and mineral notes ending in a very long, velvety finish.
GRAPE SOURCE
Eisele Vineyard parcels bordering Simmons Creek
Vine Age: 26 years on average
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Ageing: 20 months in 100% new oak
Bottling date: July 16-21, 2019
1,790 cases made - Release date: June 2, 2021