We're told the sign of a great winemaker/vineyard team is making great wine in a tough vintage. And, let's assume 25 years later flaws would be hard to hide. The 1998 Eisele has all notable silky tannins, bramble, tobacco, leather, star anise but lacks a little on sweet cassis that I found in 92, 95 & 96. I'm splitting hairs as I've had the pleasure of drinking some profound vintages as of late.
Stand alone and without comparison of the 95 the night before, this bottle definitely holds it's own. The recent 92 was a a ha and a 96 I drank from a mag with Francoise. I ask Peschon if she had a favorite vintage. She listed the most difficult ones. This bottle proves it.
If opening I personally don't recommend a decant of any of these wines from the 90's. The evolution in the glass is perfect.
Brick and clay edges with a garnet belly. Beautiful Napa Cabernet with cigar box, old leather but still lots of concentrated fruit notes at this nature stage. Wine is perfectly in equilibrium. Long finish with lots of balanced and fine tannin. Also some lingering anise wiffs.
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A w-o-w Cabernet. Explosive flavors of brambly berries, moist earth, and leather, with notes of black cherry and subtle anise. Exceptional finish. A spectacular example of Eisle fruit. Takes an hour to fully open up, but can be enjoyed without decanting. Now - 2032.
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This wine was just ok, and a disappointment from a reputation and cost perspective. Tasty, good fruit and interesting finish, but nothing you can find from a good $30 bottle. Opened for a special dinner with the family and wish I had chosen something else.
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9/16/2023 - Raizes Likes this wine: 92 Points
陈年状态出色,呈现出相当丰富的黑色水果和丁香、八角、雪茄、烟丝的香气,还有少许的皮革和菌菇。均衡、集中、单宁细腻,在浓郁享乐和古典优雅之间维持了极好的平衡。并不是一款个性鲜明的酒,但绝对是可靠、中正和愉悦的选择。
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3/25/2023 - MJP Hou TX Likes this wine: 94 Points
We're told the sign of a great winemaker/vineyard team is making great wine in a tough vintage. And, let's assume 25 years later flaws would be hard to hide. The 1998 Eisele has all notable silky tannins, bramble, tobacco, leather, star anise but lacks a little on sweet cassis that I found in 92, 95 & 96. I'm splitting hairs as I've had the pleasure of drinking some profound vintages as of late.
Stand alone and without comparison of the 95 the night before, this bottle definitely holds it's own. The recent 92 was a a ha and a 96 I drank from a mag with Francoise. I ask Peschon if she had a favorite vintage. She listed the most difficult ones. This bottle proves it.
If opening I personally don't recommend a decant of any of these wines from the 90's. The evolution in the glass is perfect.
Very little sediment.
93+
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3/19/2023 - Bosbevok Likes this wine: 96 Points
Brick and clay edges with a garnet belly. Beautiful Napa Cabernet with cigar box, old leather but still lots of concentrated fruit notes at this nature stage. Wine is perfectly in equilibrium. Long finish with lots of balanced and fine tannin. Also some lingering anise wiffs.
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10/24/2022 - Lipsman wrote: 97 Points
A w-o-w Cabernet. Explosive flavors of brambly berries, moist earth, and leather, with notes of black cherry and subtle anise. Exceptional finish. A spectacular example of Eisle fruit. Takes an hour to fully open up, but can be enjoyed without decanting. Now - 2032.
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5/24/2022 - Pitkin_CT Likes this wine: 90 Points
This wine was just ok, and a disappointment from a reputation and cost perspective. Tasty, good fruit and interesting finish, but nothing you can find from a good $30 bottle. Opened for a special dinner with the family and wish I had chosen something else.
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