1998 Araujo "Eisele Vineyard" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
92RP
91VN
90WS
$199.99
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92
Wine Advocate
Reviewed December 2000The 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard was bottled earlier than usual as this vintage is not as massive or concentrated as its predecessors. To my palate, the 1998 is good, although I am not convinced it will be long lived. There are 2,300 cases of this 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit-Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc blend. It is supple and elegant, with a complex, evolved bouquet of smoke, black currants, spice box, and cedar. In the mouth, the wine is forward with sweet tannin, gorgeously rich, concentrated fruit, and impressively integrated acidity and tannin. (RP)
Professional Reviews
91
Vinous
Medium-deep red. Complex, inviting aromas of plum, leather, spice, game and Burgundian earth tones. Lush and sweet in the mouth, with plum, meat and leather flavors. Harmonious acids give shape to the wine without drying it. Finishes with sweet, rich tannins and very good length. This has filled in very nicely since I tasted it from barrel a year ago. A real standout of the vintage. (ST)
90
Wine Spectator
A supple, harmonious, well-crafted effort, with rich yet subtle earthy currant, tobacco, toasty-cedary oak and spicy anise notes. Very complete and focused, with fine-grained tannins on the finish. (JL)
JR
Jancis Robinson
90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot. Aged for 18 months in 75% new French oak barrels. Aromatics of leather and mushroom with underlying red fruits carry into the palate mixed with dark fruits, cedar and accents of gunmetal. The 1998 shows lovely restraint and subtlety with still plenty of vitality and a feeling of freshness. This was considered a tricky vintage at the time but this wine shows the quality of the site and the talent of the winemaking team. There is a nice density here with layers of flavour housed in fine tannin and lifting acidity. The 1998 is in a nice place right now with plenty of life left but it’s worth drinking now to capture that balance of tertiary flavour and freshness. 18.5/20 points (ECB)
Notes
94 points Neal Martin's Wine Journal: "A deep garnet core. This nose is far more expressive than the Dalla Valle, macerated red cherries, sloe, coconut, vanilla and a touch of chalk dust. Nice lift. Good definition. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins, nice balanced, this seems to have coalesced since I last had this. Blackberry, blueberry, crushed violets, lovely sense of vibrancy towards the silky finish. Great length. Excellent." (11/2009)
Details
| Origin | Napa Valley, California, United States |
|---|---|
| Type/Varietal | Cabernet Sauvignon and Blends |
| SKU | 1023129 |