Araujo 2009 barrel sampling visit with Iron Chevsky

Callistoga, CA
Tasted Friday, April 8, 2011 by danstrings with 542 views

Introduction

An amazing afternoon visiting Araujo and trying some jewels from individual vineyard lots. The lovely winemaker Francoise Peschon herself led Iron Chevsky and me thru the vineyards and wines, joined by marketeer extraordinaire Jimmy Hayes. They said '09 was a tricky year with some heat and cool spikes, but their biodynamic practices and relentless sorting and thinning helped save the day as usual.
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Flight 1 (4 Notes)

Pure cab flight --
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  • 2009 Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Barrel sample (Eisele Vineyard Block 2A, Eisele clone) -- Gorgeous soaring nose of crushed asphalt, rich heady chocolate, black olive and dust. Huge milk chocolate marshmallow palate, yet refreshing and balanced. Oak there but not out of balance, and fruit/chocolate leads. A teeny bit of a sweet note on the palate, but coulda been purely the unctuousness.

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  • 2009 Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Barrel sample (Eisele Vineyard Block 4, Eisele clone) -- A tad leaner than the Block 2A, but still loaded with lovely milk chocolatey licoricey goodness! A tad more of a clean cherry mineral element. Nice.

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  • 2009 Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard 95 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Barrel sample (Eisele Vineyard Block 5A, Eisele clone) -- Francoise's favorite, a real beauty loaded with goodness. Inky dark, gorgeous nose of espresso meets mocha meets red rose. Almost Barolo-like heady nose. On the palate, chocolate covered cherries, nougat, chocolate marshmallow. Dessert in a glass, yet totally dry and refreshing.

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  • 2009 Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Barrel sample (Eisele Vineyard Block 5D, Spottswoode clone) -- Spottswoode clone seemed more subdued than the Eisele clone blocks, with tighter -- but still nice -- palate. Francoise gets Christmas baking spices, plum, etc. I agree. The chocolatey goodness is there but more restrained. Nice.

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Flight 2 (2 Notes)

Red blends flight --
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  • 2009 Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Barrel sample (Petit Verdot Eisele Vineyard Block 10D) -- fascinating, Araujo uses a teeny bit of this in the blend, from cooler located spots in Eisele. Inky inky dark, darkest on the table. Fascinating wine and more differentiated than the individual cabs and cab franc for sure. Silky, dark and satiny, densely packed crushed asphalt, black olive, dark chocolate.

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  • 2009 Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Barrel sample (Cabernet Franc Eisele Vineyard Block 10C) -- fascinating, Araujo uses a teeny bit of this in the blend, from cooler located spots in Eisele. Surprisingly un- cab franc like, with oodles of the chocolatey goodness in the straight cabs. More a chalky note tho, maybe more tannins? Also more exotic notes like crushed clove, soy, coffee grounds. Overall a more subdued red than the straight cabs, but lovely.

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Flight 3 (3 Notes)

Finished wines flight --

Closing

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