2005 Syrah Eisele Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The 2005 Syrah Eisele Vineyard displays an attractive meaty character along with smoky blackberry fruit and a hint of charcoal. Soft and lush with French-like elegance as well as complexity, and a delicious, long, supple finish, it will be drinkable over the next 7-8 years or longer. Despite having over 40-plus acres of vineyards in the northeasterly sector of Napa just south of Calistoga, the production at Araujo remains relatively limited, with the flagship wine, the Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard, producing between 1,600 and 2,200 cases of wine, and the second wine, the Altagracia, between 800 and 1,200 cases. Add to that another 1,000 cases of Sauvignon Blanc and 300-400 cases of Syrah, and there is just not a lot to go around given the greatness that can be achieved from this vineyard. Much of the credit has to go to proprietors Bart and Daphne Araujo and, of course, their top-notch winemaking team, which has always been led by Francoise Peschon. Araujo’s second wines are among the finest second wines consumers will find in northern California. For example, the Altagracia cuvees, which represent 25-35% of the production, have been outstanding examples of Cabernet Sauvignon. Araujo has done an excellent job with Syrah, which they typically co-ferment with 3-4% Viognier. Sadly, only 300-400 cases are produced. Tel. (707) 942-6061; Fax (707) 942-6471
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Good deep ruby-red color. Wild, nuanced nose offers black raspberry, mocha, violet, graphite, minerals and bacon fat, with a captivating suggestion of Asian spices. Lush, sweet and super concentrated, with a creaminess of texture giving the wine an added measure of refinement. There's just enough energy here to maintain freshness, not to mention the undercurrent of minerality that runs through all of the Araujo reds. Finishes broad, rich and chocolatey, with substantial tannins. (ST)
(includes about 5% co-fermented viognier) Bright, saturated ruby. Distinctly wild aromas of blackberry, violet, game and pepper. Dense, wild and complex, with a remarkably fine grain to its savory flavors of meat, pepper, soy sauce and Asian spices. At once viscous and juicy, finishing very long, with suave tannins. This reminded me of my early tasting of the superb 2001. The 2004 is simultaneously more flatteur in the middle palate and more tannic on the aftertaste, while this is more laid-back and sophisticated.
About the producer
Eisele Vineyard is one of Napa’s oldest properties, first planted in the 1880s. Today owned by François Pinault of Ch. Latour, it is known for its top Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as the unique Sauvignon Blanc.