Alcohol :: 14.2% Eisele Vineyard: 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petit Verdot Napa Valleu: 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot Bright dark ruby core with purplish hue. Eucalyptus and green herb dominated the aromatic profile along with smoke mint, brown sugar and pure sweet cassis. The sweet cassis flavour also reflect on the palate, though sweet but bright, with layer of charcoal, sweet plum and smoke element that glide through the very rich palate but not heavy, with very silky tannin, velvet, good grip with fruits and integration of oak, already drinking very well now yet definitely no problem for aging. Juicy, bitter sweet cocoa finish that is spicy with alcohol heat notes that distract a bit. Bart commented that the tannin is silky and soft, almost un-noticeable when tasted but chemically measure proved that this is a wine with really high tannin. Buy - Maybe - Yes.
Alcohol :: 14.8% 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Merlot Darker ruby core with lightly brown hue (storage?). Tight on the nose with highly expressive of eucalyptus essence aromas, vanilla, smoke cigarette that is slightly pungent and with some swirling, sweet dark fruits emerge. Super rich and concentrated on the rounded, polished palate with layer of fruits that is so pure and dense but never come across heavy thanks to the fresh acidity that formed the firm backbone and show great freshness and focus, elegance which move on to the complex, detail finish that's linger slowly with spices and eucalyptus dryness. The great thing here is the tannin / oak / acid / fruits all well integrated and formed a really lovely, harmonious atmosphere to enjoy even at this young age! It could be a great wine with good sense of finesse and class but, the little touch of alcohol heat pukes out at the very end causing a down grade, perhaps half a notch. That's being said, if this issue can be solved with additional bottle age, this will be brilliant. Buy - Maybe - Yes.
Alcohol :: 13.5% 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot Medium ruby core with more brownish hue. Even more expressive on the nose with almost caramelize fruits underneath along with tobacco, smoke cigarette, eucalyptus, sweet cassis, plum and honey that almost like a late harvest dessert wine. Similar to the 2005, this too offer superb balance, purity of fruits, harmonious and elegance with good mid palate depth, remarkable long on the finish with fresh mineral that linger with more power built at the end that made the finish even longer and compelling. While there is touch of alcohol present too but this is acceptable compare to the slightly higher presence from the 2005. Almost seamless, despite the overall balance and depth, the figure of the 1995 is streamline with a tad more finesse compare to the more opulent, powerful 2005. Buy - Yes.
Alcohol :: 14.3% 64% Sauvignon Musque, 36% Sauvignon Blanc Wow, this is amazingly good for a new world Sauvignon Blanc, the best so far? Bright gold in color that boost wonderful aromas of tropical fruits, guava, eucalyptus leaves, mineral and touch of pineapple and sweet liquid mineral, what a complex yet refreshing nose! Unlike some of the crisp Sauvignon Blanc that seem quite lean, this is creamy yet clean on the very rich mango, sweet passion fruits coated palate with good depth and complexity. Silky, velvety mouth feel with good long finish that's pure, and fresh. Juicy but not being sweet with pink guava aftertaste. Buy – Yes.
Alcohol :: 14.9% 96% Syrah, 4% Viognier. This is even sweeter entry than the Cabernet and also more powerful. I very much like the underlying layer of succulent dark fruits that is pure and not heavy, in fact, fresh to buffer the power of this wine, which is very much approachable and enjoyable with complex flavours of roasted herb, mineral and fruits. Refine and polished texture. The cashmere like tannin is well-integrated and added better weight and depth to the wine. While this is powerful, it doesn’t sacrifice the sense of elegance and finesse, and the long, effortless finish just goes on and on, quite dry with roasted coffee bean. This is absolutely delicious with substances to boost, I like. Buy - Yes.
Fresh, good acidity with rounded mouth feel. The sweetness has mellow down, with very fresh and pure sweet dark fruits coated palate leads to the very long, grippy finish. Very good. I noticed when aged, this Syrah showed even better sense of elegance with polished texture and seamless harmony but lack of the mid palate concentration and overall depth and complexity. That being said, I prefer the 2003 version, would the 2003 version evolve into something like this 1993? Well, I would love to know. Buy - Maybe.
2008 Araujo Estate Altagracia
USA, California, Napa Valley
Alcohol :: 14.2%
Eisele Vineyard: 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petit Verdot
Napa Valleu: 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot
Bright dark ruby core with purplish hue. Eucalyptus and green herb dominated the aromatic profile along with smoke mint, brown sugar and pure sweet cassis. The sweet cassis flavour also reflect on the palate, though sweet but bright, with layer of charcoal, sweet plum and smoke element that glide through the very rich palate but not heavy, with very silky tannin, velvet, good grip with fruits and integration of oak, already drinking very well now yet definitely no problem for aging. Juicy, bitter sweet cocoa finish that is spicy with alcohol heat notes that distract a bit. Bart commented that the tannin is silky and soft, almost un-noticeable when tasted but chemically measure proved that this is a wine with really high tannin. Buy - Maybe - Yes.
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2005 Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard
USA, California, Napa Valley
Alcohol :: 14.8%
91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Merlot
Darker ruby core with lightly brown hue (storage?). Tight on the nose with highly expressive of eucalyptus essence aromas, vanilla, smoke cigarette that is slightly pungent and with some swirling, sweet dark fruits emerge. Super rich and concentrated on the rounded, polished palate with layer of fruits that is so pure and dense but never come across heavy thanks to the fresh acidity that formed the firm backbone and show great freshness and focus, elegance which move on to the complex, detail finish that's linger slowly with spices and eucalyptus dryness. The great thing here is the tannin / oak / acid / fruits all well integrated and formed a really lovely, harmonious atmosphere to enjoy even at this young age! It could be a great wine with good sense of finesse and class but, the little touch of alcohol heat pukes out at the very end causing a down grade, perhaps half a notch. That's being said, if this issue can be solved with additional bottle age, this will be brilliant. Buy - Maybe - Yes.
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1995 Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard
USA, California, Napa Valley
Alcohol :: 13.5%
94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
Medium ruby core with more brownish hue. Even more expressive on the nose with almost caramelize fruits underneath along with tobacco, smoke cigarette, eucalyptus, sweet cassis, plum and honey that almost like a late harvest dessert wine. Similar to the 2005, this too offer superb balance, purity of fruits, harmonious and elegance with good mid palate depth, remarkable long on the finish with fresh mineral that linger with more power built at the end that made the finish even longer and compelling. While there is touch of alcohol present too but this is acceptable compare to the slightly higher presence from the 2005. Almost seamless, despite the overall balance and depth, the figure of the 1995 is streamline with a tad more finesse compare to the more opulent, powerful 2005. Buy - Yes.
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