Bottle variation here. After an ethereal bottle last year, this is a little disappointing. Smooth plums, anise, and a rough edge of stewed fruit that I’ve never encountered before. It is past its prime and headed downhill. Maybe just this bottle? My last. Time to pull corks if you have any.
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From a 750. Bottle looked to be in perfect condition. Missing some of the fruit the recent Magnum delivered. A few steps ahead in aging from this format but damn good if you like mature wine.
Looking to explore older Araujo bottlings I was prompted to purchase this Magnum after reading Papies notes on this vintage. I was looking for the right opportunity to crack this wine and my trip to Napa presented the perfect opportunity.
After it was confirmed that the winemaker who made this wine in 1996 was joining us for dinner the bottle made the journey back home. Not only did this wine surpass my expectations but was in contention for WOTN for a good number of us at the table. I might mention the line up included first growth from 2005. Francoise Peschon was a wonderful guest who loved talking about Baseball of all things.... I'm a lucky guy!
No formal notes on the wine but it was magical. I was living in the moment with some of favorite winemakers and the night went by in a blink.
I need to find more of this bottling as it had plenty of life left.
After a bad bottle from the batch that broke our heart this came to reward us for not loosing faith. Requires decanting for sure and a good hour here helped. Post that it was a recital of greatness that old school classic Napa of the 90s ( a bit of a soft spot there) only delivers. It’s as we always say like a 1er Cru from Bordeaux at the top of the range plus an extra dollop of ripeness and that ever present juiciness that Napa has. We can go for ever here but this was a masterclass and an easy 97 maybe more and frankly could well have been a perfect wine if we have never had tasted perfect wines before. 97 ++
An extraordinary bottle, an expansive wine. Mouth coating flavors, just off the hook. Gobs of licorice, smoke, and earthy elements, knit together with fine grained tannins. Elegant and overwhelming at the same time. A quintessential California Cabernet, and a hallmark Eisele.
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Deep ruby, opaque color with brown edge. Initially reserved with subtle black fruits and spice. After 45-60 minutes, the wine blossomed into a lovely aromatic elixir. Blackberry, cinnamon and caramel aromas and taste with great length and a full feel on the mid and late palate . This is fully mature and lovely now.
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from magnum. decanted for 2 hours prior to serving. This was beautiful, if still a little alcoholic on the nose. Smooth on the palate with medium body. Plenty of coconut butter on the nose, and drinking absolutely wonderfully now.
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Between the 94, 95 and 96 vintages of this wine I actually liked the 96 the most. 94 was a tannic beast. 95 was imho over extracted. 96 had round tannins and while it lacked a bit of depth it had much needed restraint. The wine is at a decent place right now and I doubt it will improve much from here so best to drink up over the next few years. I think there are better wines from Bordeaux at this price point.
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Bricked throughout. Showing its age, lightly oxidized, prunes. But quite enjoyable, smooth, all tannins melded, some earthy notes, anise, nice complexity. Still it’s advanced age is disappointing. So many 1996 California Cabernets are still fresh and lively. Time to drink up.
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Very soft and smooth. Tannins have fully melted away. Fruit is still fresh with nice secondary development. Earthy with licorice, menthol, dark figs and mushrooms.
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This was a purchase from Vinfolio. Upon opening, it had oxidized notes and was closed. After decanting, it gradually opened over the next three hours. The oxidized notes dispersed, leaving a long and smooth finish. Tasted alongside a 2015 Eisele and a 1996 Dalla Valle.
Gorgeous cabernet that marries New World fruit and pedigree with an Old World restraint and sensibility. Loads of cedar and tobacco accent the plum and cherry fruit. Reasonably resolved with fine, but still robust, tannin. Nice poise throughout and into a long finish.
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N: Fragrant vanilla (poss choc) with creamy notes atop ripe berries with notes of pyrazines & undertones of spice;
P: MF body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by astringent pucker which NEVER loses contact with the init frt as it seamlessly morphs into a LONG finish with an enticing tangy swtness to the firming tannins. At its peak (or very close), but should hold another 4 or 5 yrs min -- & has PLENTY of substance left for food. My EXC+; 95 pts Jeannie Cho Lee (Jan '16), 94 & 95 RJonWine, 94 ea WA & WS, 93 Vinous (Tanzer), & 89 Jeff Leve (12/9/15).
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Huge disappointment, been saving (at perfect cellar temp) for 20 years. Opened without decanting, served at cool cellar temp. First sip was compressed and tight with brett notes... Chalked it up to just being opened. But after two hours it just never seemed to blow off - that bretty (bat guano), thin palate.. Occasional flashes of dusty fruit and earth would swirl in, but at this price what a bummer.
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This was disappointing as it showed a bit thin and lacking stuffing/character. Chalk it up to the vintage? For the price, this should be much better. More in line with what Jeff Leve's assessment.
Beautiful Cali cab. Very nice fine-grained tannins give the wine a solid grip and suggest this will age for at least another decade. The fruit is a medley of black and red berries and is vibrant and fully saturated. Some secondary flavors give the wine a nice complexity.
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Second Sunday Group: 1996 Bordeaux (high end) (Marty's): Darker color than all the other wines with the exception of wine B. Notes of cherry, plum, black fruit and raisins. Medium-bodied and integrated, with flavors of stewed black fruit, plum and raisins. Different than the other wines in the line up- much more ripe. If this bottle is representative, I'd say it's time to drink up.
Double blind: My #8, Domino's #3 Group #8, 70 pts
Single blind guess: Araujo- easy to pick out as one of the ringers, and given that one was ten years older than the other, it was easy to determine which CA ringer was which.
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Much better than a bottle from last year. While this is fully mature, it combined ripe black cherry, spice and structure into a tidy package. Certainly not a wine to cellar further, but I enjoyed it as much as the 1997 for tonight.
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Perfect cork and fill. Lovely complex nose of dried red cherry, red & black currant, leather and some dusty earth. Medium body. Still some freshness behind all the dried red fruits on the palate. Still some drying tannins on the finish. Fleshed out some with air. Made in more of a classic Napa style. Drink soon.
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decanted for about an hour. youthful. exuberant. concentrated. chewy tannins. this needs more time but offers a lot of immediate pleasure. Went exceptionally well with Lamb Tagine.
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Dark red in color. Nice spiciness to the nose which did open up and become even more complex after decanting and drinking over three hours. This has aged very well. It did compete with the 95 Haut Brion head to head over dinner. Slightly more fruit late in the palate, but a little less complexity in the savory notes compared to the HB. Does show that Cali Cabs do age well.
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Brick red color, dusty nose of plum and prune. On the palate it is quite elegant, the tannins having fully integrated. The distinct plum notes are fraying around the edges giving way to dark dried fruit. Good texture and still finishing well. I would drink up at this point.
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Very nice! Smooth but complex, with a surprising amount of blackberry and dark cherry fruit still present, with earthy and leather tastes as well. Brick colored, with moderate sediment.
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opened up with massive earthy mushroom notes and blackberry, after about half an hour it turned smoky, coffee and leather note. it is brick in color with watery rim. medium body and very soft and rounded. it is not going to merit from any bottle aging and probably will hold the current state for another 3 years.
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Medium ruby with bricking appropriate for age; nose of medium intensity, cedar, slightly hot, plummy; palate is full bodied, good acidity, juicy but not of any particular fruit; medium length finish. Let's give this a little air and see what happens. Update: 45 min air- Still not impressing me. The palate seems thinner than it should be without enough fruit. The nose doesn't seem overtly flawed but doesn't seem correct either. It shouldn't be over the hill at this point either. Update: 60 min- I've finally come to the conclusion that this is corked. I think it's subtle, but it's enough that I can't get an accurate read of the wine. Unfortunate... I haven't had good luck with Araujo lately.
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Light in color, with licorice, coffee bean, black cherry, earth and spicy notes. Medium bodied, fully mature, with an elegant, soft, oaky, red and black fruit filled finish. I would not age this any longer.
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Sampled 9/22/12. Pop and pour. After a few hours it started to fade a bit. Before then, however, it was loaded with beautiful layers of silky black and red fuits ethat were slightly overripe with a full mouthcoating of vanilla Oak. As is started to fade a bit more sour black cherry started to emerge and the finish shortened. Drink in the next couple years.
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Where the 94 was smooth and elegant and, and the 95 was still showing beautiful fruit, the 96 was a comparatively awkward combination of the others, still with that distinctive earthiness to the fruit. Still, very good, but less so in comparison to its siblings.
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Medium body. Balanced. Ready to drink now with only a few minutes of air and started fading around the 3rd hour. Very complex, mostly blackberry, currant, vanilla, dark cherries. Nice acid and a lot more delicate than most Napa Cabs. Should hold up for 3-5 years.
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Amazing wine! Intense black fruits on the palate. Black Cherries. Chocolate. Lush. Sweet tannins with a dustiness on the finish. Finish lasted and lasted and lasted. An OMG moment.
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- Crimsom color with medium forming legs and aromas of blackberry. It's balanced and has flavours of blackberry with a medium/full body. Smooth texture with a medium finish - Very young and youthful. Balanced
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Dark garnet color. Nose of cherries, pomegranate and dark & milk chocolates; just a hint of raisin too, worried it’s past it’s prime. Wow! Big chocolate & cherries on the plate, black raspberries and a hint of tobacco. Tannins are there but nicely integrated. At the end of it’s plateau, will fall off soon. Drink up!
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Still a wonderful wine. Close to the previous rating, but slightly less. Most likely due to my having had an El Nido Clio prior. Still in a wonderful spot, great fruit, well integrated tannins. Lovely wine and would highly recommend.
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A perfectly stored bottle that turned out to be good, but not to the heights this wine/vineyard can produce. Very good purity, OK complexity, decent length. Didn't reach the heights when sampled in years past, perhaps beginning its decline now. No signs of an off bottle here, just didn't have the wow factor.
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i'm sure i've had this before, but apparently, pre CT! days. good showing for a 96, although there is no reason to hold this, as i don't think the remaining tannins will soften to reveal any more fruit. pleasant to drink, glad i didn't pay for it.
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From Magnum. The wine just destroyed 1996 Etude tasted earlier. Not all wines are created equal, even in the lighter vintages. No sediments, signs of maturity with plenty of life and enjoyment left in the bottle. The components are finally got together and are in the perfect harmony.
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Last bottle. Decanted for about 3/4 of an hour to an hour. To some others at the dinner, it was fantastic. For my palate, it was a little thin. I had a 93 that was fantastic but not this.
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So, so good. Absolutely loved it. Had it next to a '96 Margaux. Margaux was tasty, but still an adolescent. The Araujo was in its prime. Lush, black currant, graphite, tannins were settled down. Really everything one would want.
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Beautifully resolved and ready to drink with lots of brimming fruit and complexity. This is a wine worth seeking out at auction as prices continue to fall.
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This certainly ain't plonk! (Decanted for sediment only.) Though it probably is at or just past its peak, it is clearly a very well crafted quaff that on the nose has bright fruit with earthy/mushroomy undertones. The tongue finds soft cherry and quince and pine with undertones of dried herbs and soft tannins. There is a medium but interesting finish. The eye enjoys a nice rich garnet hue. Nicely done.
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I don't understand the praise in other notes. Seemed a bit mute and closed. Density appeared good, but very simple, direct and somewhat short. Perhaps a bad bottle. I didn't decant, so that might have accounted for the poor showing.
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1/06 Full-bodied dark purple - cherry herbal nose - currant dark fruit attack - layered complex finish of oak leather tar rounded without edge - back heavy but not overpowering - spicey and anise - overall a well-balanced wine with another 5 years of legs easy. 92 pts. 1/07 & 12/08 Re-tasted at a dinner - same notes.
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Almost made me believe in God. This is the single greatest wine I have ever tasted. The balance was extraordinary. The tannins were tame and integrated, as the wine was peaking. The acidity was also perfectly integrated. The dark berries, black cherry, and mocha notes were harmonious, there were hints of cinnimin, vanilla, and oak. The finish was long, 1 minute plus! Flawless, I have never given a wine higher than 96, but this was like no other wine I have tasted. Destroyed a Haut-Brion, a Caymus, and a Paloma Merlot, Hands down WOTN. Maybe WOTY!
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This bottle is a blockbuster. Last rated by Parker in 2000 and given 94. It has clearly peaked and if you have some drink up. Beautiful color with dark fruit and plum, light oak, and a touch of vanilla on the nose along with a hint of sweetness that you get as wines begin to age. On the palate it was tremendously complex and soft with layers and layers of flavor. Midpalate was full. Almost expected big tannins but instead got soft and perfectly integrated tannins at the end that were hardly perceptable but kept this wine well structured. Finish lasted minutes. Maybe my agnostic friend summed it up best, "This wine makes me believe there is a god".
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Araujo Eisele Vineyard Tasting (Bentley Hotel London): 91CS, 6CF, 3PV, 13.5 alc, 2305 cases. Again a great silky attack, a grower, builds and gains weight in the mouth, lighter fruit profile, black cherry, oak is light but noticable in the background, medium weight, not overly extracted of concentrated but great balance, with time it grew more complex and showed an orange peel note. Super.
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Single-Blind Napa Valley Cult Wines (Tribeca Grill): Everyone agreed that this wine was the slut of the flight. Aromas were sweet and expansive, combining chocolate and fruit. Though supple and elegantly textured on the entry, it turned very oaky, showing heavy chocolate on the midpalate and raw wood on the finish.
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Father's Day. Wow, this Cab is the essence of elegant Napa. Bright, and loaded with mineral and cranberry on the nose. The palate is dark, tight, liqueur of Napa, mildly bittersweet, elegant, structured, powerful and rich. Very well done!
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Forward stewed prune and black fruit aroma. Some ajmmy raisin character on the palate. Did not improve much with time in the glass as many others did. 3/05
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10/20/2023 - ozstef Does not like this wine:
Past it
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3/26/2023 - Lipsman wrote: 94 Points
Bottle variation here. After an ethereal bottle last year, this is a little disappointing. Smooth plums, anise, and a rough edge of stewed fruit that I’ve never encountered before. It is past its prime and headed downhill. Maybe just this bottle? My last. Time to pull corks if you have any.
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2/19/2023 - MJP Hou TX Likes this wine: 95 Points
From a 750. Bottle looked to be in perfect condition. Missing some of the fruit the recent Magnum delivered. A few steps ahead in aging from this format but damn good if you like mature wine.
95
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10/15/2022 - MJP Hou TX Likes this wine: 97 Points
Pinch me I'm dreaming.
Looking to explore older Araujo bottlings I was prompted to purchase this Magnum after reading Papies notes on this vintage. I was looking for the right opportunity to crack this wine and my trip to Napa presented the perfect opportunity.
After it was confirmed that the winemaker who made this wine in 1996 was joining us for dinner the bottle made the journey back home. Not only did this wine surpass my expectations but was in contention for WOTN for a good number of us at the table. I might mention the line up included first growth from 2005. Francoise Peschon was a wonderful guest who loved talking about Baseball of all things.... I'm a lucky guy!
No formal notes on the wine but it was magical. I was living in the moment with some of favorite winemakers and the night went by in a blink.
I need to find more of this bottling as it had plenty of life left.
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6/10/2022 - Papies wrote: 97 Points
After a bad bottle from the batch that broke our heart this came to reward us for not loosing faith.
Requires decanting for sure and a good hour here helped. Post that it was a recital of greatness that old school classic Napa of the 90s ( a bit of a soft spot there) only delivers. It’s as we always say like a 1er Cru from Bordeaux at the top of the range plus an extra dollop of ripeness and that ever present juiciness that Napa has. We can go for ever here but this was a masterclass and an easy 97 maybe more and frankly could well have been a perfect wine if we have never had tasted perfect wines before. 97 ++
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5/6/2022 - Papies wrote: flawed
Oxidised . Painful.
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4/10/2022 - Philip67 Does not like this wine: 85 Points
We had 2 bottles from different sources and both were baked and gone. Such a shame, had high hopes of this wine.
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3/9/2022 - jay_hawk@yahoo.com Likes this wine: 95 Points
Has plenty of life left. licorice, earthy notes, tannins smooth with a long finish. Paired great with dry aged steak.
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2/25/2022 - Lipsman wrote: 98 Points
An extraordinary bottle, an expansive wine. Mouth coating flavors, just off the hook. Gobs of licorice, smoke, and earthy elements, knit together with fine grained tannins. Elegant and overwhelming at the same time. A quintessential California Cabernet, and a hallmark Eisele.
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2/19/2022 - DH90 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Deep ruby, opaque color with brown edge. Initially reserved with subtle black fruits and spice. After 45-60 minutes, the wine blossomed into a lovely aromatic elixir. Blackberry, cinnamon and caramel aromas and taste with great length and a full feel on the mid and late palate . This is fully mature and lovely now.
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11/12/2021 - Peech Likes this wine: 96 Points
from magnum. decanted for 2 hours prior to serving. This was beautiful, if still a little alcoholic on the nose. Smooth on the palate with medium body. Plenty of coconut butter on the nose, and drinking absolutely wonderfully now.
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6/10/2021 - cortoncharlie wrote: 92 Points
Between the 94, 95 and 96 vintages of this wine I actually liked the 96 the most. 94 was a tannic beast. 95 was imho over extracted. 96 had round tannins and while it lacked a bit of depth it had much needed restraint. The wine is at a decent place right now and I doubt it will improve much from here so best to drink up over the next few years. I think there are better wines from Bordeaux at this price point.
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1/22/2021 - Lipsman wrote: 93 Points
Bricked throughout. Showing its age, lightly oxidized, prunes. But quite enjoyable, smooth, all tannins melded, some earthy notes, anise, nice complexity. Still it’s advanced age is disappointing. So many 1996 California Cabernets are still fresh and lively. Time to drink up.
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10/30/2020 - Fftjr Likes this wine: 95 Points
Excellent. Beautiful fruity nose. Smooth silky tannins. Very upfront fruit. Still has a few more years.
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9/27/2020 - nywine68 wrote: 93 Points
Very soft and smooth. Tannins have fully melted away. Fruit is still fresh with nice secondary development. Earthy with licorice, menthol, dark figs and mushrooms.
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9/14/2020 - LuxNapa.com wrote: 93 Points
This was a purchase from Vinfolio. Upon opening, it had oxidized notes and was closed. After decanting, it gradually opened over the next three hours. The oxidized notes dispersed, leaving a long and smooth finish. Tasted alongside a 2015 Eisele and a 1996 Dalla Valle.
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10/20/2019 - Nanda wrote: 93 Points
Gorgeous cabernet that marries New World fruit and pedigree with an Old World restraint and sensibility. Loads of cedar and tobacco accent the plum and cherry fruit. Reasonably resolved with fine, but still robust, tannin. Nice poise throughout and into a long finish.
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6/28/2019 - srh Likes this wine:
Friday Tasting Group: "Killer Bar" (#03 for me): "New World" Theme (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): 91% C.S., 6% C.F., & 3% P.V., all from Eisele Vyd; 13.5% ABV, 0.56 T.A., & 3.64 pH; 2,305 cases produced, released 10/1/99;
N: Fragrant vanilla (poss choc) with creamy notes atop ripe berries with notes of pyrazines & undertones of spice;
P: MF body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by astringent pucker which NEVER loses contact with the init frt as it seamlessly morphs into a LONG finish with an enticing tangy swtness to the firming tannins. At its peak (or very close), but should hold another 4 or 5 yrs min -- & has PLENTY of substance left for food. My EXC+; 95 pts Jeannie Cho Lee (Jan '16), 94 & 95 RJonWine, 94 ea WA & WS, 93 Vinous (Tanzer), & 89 Jeff Leve (12/9/15).
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1/23/2019 - G_H wrote: 93 Points
Classic bordeaux, red berries, plastic, very elegant, balanced, white pepper, balanced long. Grand Cru Napa!!
Easily 20 years of life ahead... but so beautiful now, so why wait!
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11/18/2018 - Fftjr Likes this wine: 92 Points
Probably at its peak. Has good fruit, mild tannins, good body.
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10/4/2018 - europat55 wrote: 91 Points
Nose: B++/A- Palate: B++
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6/1/2018 - danstrings Does not like this wine: 85 Points
Huge disappointment, been saving (at perfect cellar temp) for 20 years. Opened without decanting, served at cool cellar temp. First sip was compressed and tight with brett notes... Chalked it up to just being opened. But after two hours it just never seemed to blow off - that bretty (bat guano), thin palate.. Occasional flashes of dusty fruit and earth would swirl in, but at this price what a bummer.
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4/9/2017 - peternelson wrote: 89 Points
This was disappointing as it showed a bit thin and lacking stuffing/character. Chalk it up to the vintage? For the price, this should be much better. More in line with what Jeff Leve's assessment.
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2/24/2017 - Alongfield wrote: 94 Points
Simply delicious. Full, well rounded perfect now
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1/20/2017 - nywine68 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Beautiful Cali cab. Very nice fine-grained tannins give the wine a solid grip and suggest this will age for at least another decade. The fruit is a medley of black and red berries and is vibrant and fully saturated. Some secondary flavors give the wine a nice complexity.
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3/13/2016 - AllRed wrote: 90 Points
Second Sunday Group: 1996 Bordeaux (high end) (Marty's): Darker color than all the other wines with the exception of wine B. Notes of cherry, plum, black fruit and raisins. Medium-bodied and integrated, with flavors of stewed black fruit, plum and raisins. Different than the other wines in the line up- much more ripe. If this bottle is representative, I'd say it's time to drink up.
Double blind:
My #8, Domino's #3
Group #8, 70 pts
Single blind guess: Araujo- easy to pick out as one of the ringers, and given that one was ten years older than the other, it was easy to determine which CA ringer was which.
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3/6/2016 - Burgundy Al wrote: 90 Points
Much better than a bottle from last year. While this is fully mature, it combined ripe black cherry, spice and structure into a tidy package. Certainly not a wine to cellar further, but I enjoyed it as much as the 1997 for tonight.
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12/9/2015 - Jeff Leve wrote: 89 Points
Hints of coffee, incense, spice, herbs and red fruits, the wine is medium bodied, short and tart in the finish.
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9/18/2015 - DarinC Likes this wine: 90 Points
Perfect cork and fill. Lovely complex nose of dried red cherry, red & black currant, leather and some dusty earth. Medium body. Still some freshness behind all the dried red fruits on the palate. Still some drying tannins on the finish. Fleshed out some with air. Made in more of a classic Napa style. Drink soon.
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6/11/2015 - Burgundy Al wrote: 88 Points
Araujo Dinner, Mostly Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard (Milwalky Trace - Libertyville IL): In 94/95/96 flight. Nice, but seemingly tired, particularly in contrast to the '94 and '95.
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5/1/2015 - hahaha123 wrote: 95 Points
Rather old school Bordeaux blend
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11/23/2014 - lolo66 wrote: 93 Points
decanted for about an hour. youthful. exuberant. concentrated. chewy tannins. this needs more time but offers a lot of immediate pleasure. Went exceptionally well with Lamb Tagine.
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10/4/2014 - rustyRudy Likes this wine: 96 Points
Dark red in color. Nice spiciness to the nose which did open up and become even more complex after decanting and drinking over three hours. This has aged very well. It did compete with the 95 Haut Brion head to head over dinner. Slightly more fruit late in the palate, but a little less complexity in the savory notes compared to the HB. Does show that Cali Cabs do age well.
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10/4/2014 - andrewdodd86 wrote: 97 Points
Black fruit & great minerality. Floral nose that was captivating. Loved it. Tannin has mellowed but fruit was still there.
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9/7/2014 - klausner1 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Brick red color, dusty nose of plum and prune. On the palate it is quite elegant, the tannins having fully integrated. The distinct plum notes are fraying around the edges giving way to dark dried fruit. Good texture and still finishing well. I would drink up at this point.
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8/5/2014 - sonodoc Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very nice! Smooth but complex, with a surprising amount of blackberry and dark cherry fruit still present, with earthy and leather tastes as well. Brick colored, with moderate sediment.
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11/16/2013 - overkloud wrote: 90 Points
opened up with massive earthy mushroom notes and blackberry, after about half an hour it turned smoky, coffee and leather note.
it is brick in color with watery rim. medium body and very soft and rounded.
it is not going to merit from any bottle aging and probably will hold the current state for another 3 years.
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6/22/2013 - MC wrote:
Not bad at all, but seems a bit past its prime, and for me was outclassed by the 96 Dalla Valle, Dominus, and Ridge. Would be drinking now. B+/A-
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6/8/2013 - aagrawal wrote: flawed
Medium ruby with bricking appropriate for age; nose of medium intensity, cedar, slightly hot, plummy; palate is full bodied, good acidity, juicy but not of any particular fruit; medium length finish. Let's give this a little air and see what happens.
Update: 45 min air- Still not impressing me. The palate seems thinner than it should be without enough fruit. The nose doesn't seem overtly flawed but doesn't seem correct either. It shouldn't be over the hill at this point either.
Update: 60 min- I've finally come to the conclusion that this is corked. I think it's subtle, but it's enough that I can't get an accurate read of the wine. Unfortunate... I haven't had good luck with Araujo lately.
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10/8/2012 - Jeff Leve wrote: 90 Points
Light in color, with licorice, coffee bean, black cherry, earth and spicy notes. Medium bodied, fully mature, with an elegant, soft, oaky, red and black fruit filled finish. I would not age this any longer.
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9/22/2012 - mxpbuy wrote: 93 Points
Sampled 9/22/12. Pop and pour. After a few hours it started to fade a bit. Before then, however, it was loaded with beautiful layers of silky black and red fuits ethat were slightly overripe with a full mouthcoating of vanilla Oak. As is started to fade a bit more sour black cherry started to emerge and the finish shortened. Drink in the next couple years.
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8/10/2012 - mrhodin wrote: flawed
Flawed - musty smell, dry cork. undrinkable.
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7/11/2012 - DarinC wrote: flawed
Perfect cork and fill. Oxidized.
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4/18/2012 - davidwhitedc wrote: flawed
Epic Wine Dinner at Bourbon Steak (Washington DC): Flawed. Terrible VA.
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3/19/2012 - klausner1 wrote: 92 Points
Where the 94 was smooth and elegant and, and the 95 was still showing beautiful fruit, the 96 was a comparatively awkward combination of the others, still with that distinctive earthiness to the fruit. Still, very good, but less so in comparison to its siblings.
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1/16/2012 - DarinC wrote: 93 Points
Medium body. Balanced. Ready to drink now with only a few minutes of air and started fading around the 3rd hour. Very complex, mostly blackberry, currant, vanilla, dark cherries. Nice acid and a lot more delicate than most Napa Cabs. Should hold up for 3-5 years.
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10/31/2011 - shaferguy91 wrote: 93 Points
Decanted briefly for sediment only. Wonderful wine.
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10/18/2011 - BuffaloLou wrote: 96 Points
Amazing wine! Intense black fruits on the palate. Black Cherries. Chocolate. Lush. Sweet tannins with a dustiness on the finish. Finish lasted and lasted and lasted. An OMG moment.
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7/27/2011 - pkeohan wrote: 93 Points
- Crimsom color with medium forming legs and aromas of blackberry. It's balanced and has flavours of blackberry with a medium/full body. Smooth texture with a medium finish - Very young and youthful. Balanced
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6/19/2011 - Crash69 wrote: 92 Points
Dark garnet color. Nose of cherries, pomegranate and dark & milk chocolates; just a hint of raisin too, worried it’s past it’s prime. Wow! Big chocolate & cherries on the plate, black raspberries and a hint of tobacco. Tannins are there but nicely integrated. At the end of it’s plateau, will fall off soon. Drink up!
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3/28/2011 - kenthargis wrote: 95 Points
Still a wonderful wine. Close to the previous rating, but slightly less. Most likely due to my having had an El Nido Clio prior. Still in a wonderful spot, great fruit, well integrated tannins. Lovely wine and would highly recommend.
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1/23/2011 - RSLyss wrote: 91 Points
A perfectly stored bottle that turned out to be good, but not to the heights this wine/vineyard can produce. Very good purity, OK complexity, decent length. Didn't reach the heights when sampled in years past, perhaps beginning its decline now. No signs of an off bottle here, just didn't have the wow factor.
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10/5/2010 - pdemaio wrote: 89 Points
Perhpas it had just past it's prime, but it was disjiont and relatively boring. Finish short.
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8/19/2010 - jeff nowak wrote: 91 Points
i'm sure i've had this before, but apparently, pre CT! days. good showing for a 96, although there is no reason to hold this, as i don't think the remaining tannins will soften to reveal any more fruit. pleasant to drink, glad i didn't pay for it.
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4/27/2010 - Rupert wrote:
A bit hot and sweaty, lacking the freshness and elegance of the others
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3/7/2010 - Serge Birbrair wrote:
From Magnum. The wine just destroyed 1996 Etude tasted earlier. Not all wines are created equal, even in the lighter vintages.
No sediments, signs of maturity with plenty of life and enjoyment left in the bottle. The components are finally got together and are in the perfect harmony.
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3/6/2010 - drycab wrote:
Last bottle. Decanted for about 3/4 of an hour to an hour. To some others at the dinner, it was fantastic. For my palate, it was a little thin. I had a 93 that was fantastic but not this.
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1/5/2010 - Jack wrote: 95 Points
Really good. Soft and smooth.
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8/30/2009 - kenthargis wrote: 97 Points
So, so good. Absolutely loved it. Had it next to a '96 Margaux. Margaux was tasty, but still an adolescent. The Araujo was in its prime. Lush, black currant, graphite, tannins were settled down. Really everything one would want.
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5/20/2009 - David S wrote: 93 Points
nice bottle - lost in the tasting to the 96 La Jota - surprised by the outcome but everyone agreed
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3/7/2009 - shaferguy91 wrote: 93 Points
Decanted only for sediment and there was very little. Not as good as the last time I had it so maybe it has peaked.
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2/27/2009 - mtennenbaum wrote: 94 Points
Beautifully resolved and ready to drink with lots of brimming fruit and complexity. This is a wine worth seeking out at auction as prices continue to fall.
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2/13/2009 - Gringo wrote: 94 Points
This certainly ain't plonk! (Decanted for sediment only.) Though it probably is at or just past its peak, it is clearly a very well crafted quaff that on the nose has bright fruit with earthy/mushroomy undertones. The tongue finds soft cherry and quince and pine with undertones of dried herbs and soft tannins. There is a medium but interesting finish. The eye enjoys a nice rich garnet hue. Nicely done.
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8/4/2008 - tatog wrote: 90 Points
needen some time still
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3/8/2008 - David S wrote: 90 Points
first time tasting this vintage - velvety with a nice finish - but the wine was not as big as other times I have tried it
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8/18/2007 - mdefreitas wrote: 88 Points
I don't understand the praise in other notes. Seemed a bit mute and closed. Density appeared good, but very simple, direct and somewhat short. Perhaps a bad bottle. I didn't decant, so that might have accounted for the poor showing.
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8/17/2007 - GA wrote:
1/06 Full-bodied dark purple - cherry herbal nose - currant dark fruit attack - layered complex finish of oak leather tar rounded without edge - back heavy but not overpowering - spicey and anise - overall a well-balanced wine with another 5 years of legs easy. 92 pts. 1/07 & 12/08 Re-tasted at a dinner - same notes.
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6/4/2007 - markellen.foodies@gmail.com wrote: 90 Points
james laube Challenge re 1996 Napa Cabs @ DUO, Miami (DUO, S Miami Avenue, Miami, FL): Flight 2, #2 The groups least favorite in the flight except for Charlie. It was his WOTN. The group preferred the Dunn Napa, and the Etude over it. A very good wine with no flaws, but didn't seem as flavorful as the others.
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4/8/2007 - shaferguy91 wrote: 95 Points
Decanted briefly-only for sediment. Terrific wine hitting-drinking beautifully.
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3/27/2007 - trankin wrote: 95 Points
First Tastes of Spring / Divine Wines - Dinner by William Bradley, Addison at the Grand Del Mar (James Beard House): Served at a Beard dinner. From magnum. Notes from memory. This was my wine of the night. A gorgeous cab, with classic napa cab characteristics, lovely leather notes, nice fruit. Silky mouthfeel, wonderful finish. Drinking really well - probably nearing prime time for 750's for my palate.
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2/16/2007 - jgself wrote:
Drank with Mike & Dean
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1/25/2007 - JMazen wrote: 95 Points
Liked it...
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1/24/2007 - mmyette wrote: 98 Points
Almost made me believe in God. This is the single greatest wine I have ever tasted. The balance was extraordinary. The tannins were tame and integrated, as the wine was peaking. The acidity was also perfectly integrated. The dark berries, black cherry, and mocha notes were harmonious, there were hints of cinnimin, vanilla, and oak. The finish was long, 1 minute plus! Flawless, I have never given a wine higher than 96, but this was like no other wine I have tasted. Destroyed a Haut-Brion, a Caymus, and a Paloma Merlot, Hands down WOTN. Maybe WOTY!
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1/22/2007 - J-Sho wrote: 97 Points
This bottle is a blockbuster. Last rated by Parker in 2000 and given 94. It has clearly peaked and if you have some drink up. Beautiful color with dark fruit and plum, light oak, and a touch of vanilla on the nose along with a hint of sweetness that you get as wines begin to age. On the palate it was tremendously complex and soft with layers and layers of flavor. Midpalate was full. Almost expected big tannins but instead got soft and perfectly integrated tannins at the end that were hardly perceptable but kept this wine well structured. Finish lasted minutes. Maybe my agnostic friend summed it up best, "This wine makes me believe there is a god".
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11/10/2006 - Russell Faulkner wrote: 93 Points
Trip to Dallas - 89/90 Bordeaux and Older Cali Cabs; 11/7/2006-11/10/2006 (Dallas, Texas): Quite dense, very young and a more traditional style, not too unlike a right bank Bordeaux of the same vintage, still quite tight, more so than the last bottle I tried.
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5/31/2006 - Russell Faulkner wrote: 95 Points
Araujo Eisele Vineyard Tasting (Bentley Hotel London): 91CS, 6CF, 3PV, 13.5 alc, 2305 cases.
Again a great silky attack, a grower, builds and gains weight in the mouth, lighter fruit profile, black cherry, oak is light but noticable in the background, medium weight, not overly extracted of concentrated but great balance, with time it grew more complex and showed an orange peel note. Super.
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12/15/2005 - Keith Levenberg wrote: 81 Points
Single-Blind Napa Valley Cult Wines (Tribeca Grill): Everyone agreed that this wine was the slut of the flight. Aromas were sweet and expansive, combining chocolate and fruit. Though supple and elegantly textured on the entry, it turned very oaky, showing heavy chocolate on the midpalate and raw wood on the finish.
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6/19/2005 - Eric wrote: 94 Points
Father's Day. Wow, this Cab is the essence of elegant Napa. Bright, and loaded with mineral and cranberry on the nose. The palate is dark, tight, liqueur of Napa, mildly bittersweet, elegant, structured, powerful and rich. Very well done!
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3/1/2005 - winefool wrote: 92 Points
Forward stewed prune and black fruit aroma. Some ajmmy raisin character on the palate. Did not improve much with time in the glass as many others did. 3/05
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3/1/2003 - peternelson wrote: 95 Points
Red Carpet: Truffles, mushrooms, med.light bod., big soft t’s, incredible elegance.***The elegant Cab.
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5/1/2001 - OneLastSyrah wrote:
($125) The First Big DFW Tasting, Casa Vineyard: Delicious! DFW Tasting
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4/14/2000 - mdefreitas wrote: 91 Points
Dinner w/ Penny @ The Place (NYC): A bit hard and closed right now. Good fruit, but this obviously needs time.
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