2016 Eisele Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

“The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon has a deep garnet-purple color. Its nose begins a little reserved, slowly revealing a quiet intensity of freshly crushed blackberries, chocolate-covered cherries, cassis and aniseed with compelling nuances of black tea, cigar box, truffles and charcuterie, plus, with coaxing, gentle wafts of red roses and crushed rocks emerge. The medium to full-bodied palate is simply arresting, offering a myriad floral and earth sparks amidst a black fruit core and with seamless, firm, very fine-grained tannins. Well-knit freshness brings forth layer after layer of delicate nuances on the very long, mineral-laced finish. The team at Eisele, led by Frédéric Engerer (of Chateau Latour) and beautifully orchestrated by winemaker Hélène Mingot, have knocked it out of the park this vintage with this singular expression that both embraces the site's heritage and reveals parts unknown. (LPB)” (10/2018)

“The 2016 Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon has a deep garnet-purple color. It needs a lot of swirling to uncover the myriad of black and blue fruit layers - youthful, juicy blackberries, black currants, and plums - followed by suggestions of candied violets, dark chocolate, tilled soil, forest floor, and tapenade. The full-bodied palate is jam-packed with black berry flavors and an incredible array of earth, spice, and floral nuances, supported by very firm, grainy tannins and lovely tension, finishing long, long, long. Wow! (LPB)” (04/2023)

“The aromas are so complex here with blackberries, blackcurrants, raspberries and orange peel. Juicy and deep with a polished and lush texture. Full-bodied yet supple and harmonious. Poised and extremely long. You really want to drink this now, but be patient.” (05/2019)

“The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon from Eisele Vineyard is simply monumental. Powerful and persistent, the 2016 marries intensity with finesse in the way only a wine from a world-class site can. Everything is just in the right place. Time in the glass brings out stunning richness in every dimension and truly exceptional pedigree. Dramatic and statuesque in its beauty, the 2016 is a towering Cabernet Sauvignon that shows why Eisele Vineyard is one of the world's great vineyard sites. In a word: epic. (AG)” (01/2020)

“This is 100% Cabernet, from an excellent vintage and it's a total hit. Extremely young and closed, concentrated cassis, coffee beans and tobacco, pure and beautifully balanced with long drawn out tannins. It just slowly crawls through your mouth, taking its time and as confident as you like. A juicy, delicious Cab - great stuff from winemaker Hélène Mingot. (JA)” (02/2020)

“Ripe, broad and fleshy, this lets beautiful plum sauce and blackberry compote notes drape effortlessly over a tobacco- and loam-accented spine. The loamy edge drives through the finish with authority, while the fruit keeps cascading over it, ending very long and very deep. This has a beguiling aspect despite the enormous scale, but it should benefit from cellaring. A wine of the earth, through and through. *Collectible* (JM)” (08/2019)

“Made entirely from the alluvial fan laid down by Simmons Creek in what the team considers the heart of the Eisele vineyard. Certified organic by CCOF and biodynamic by Demeter. Floral notes of violets and roses and even a hint of grapefruit blossom lift from the glass carrying depth and complexity in the aromas. The wine feels luxurious, with succulent and persistent tannins and a satisfying balance of acidity. The complexity here is impressive, the flavours ranging from floral to savoury, fruit to earth, graphite and resinous herbs, and the wine balances flesh with structure. An impressive wine from a good vintage. 19/20 points (ECB)” (12/2022)