The Estate
At Eisele Vineyard winemaking takes a back seat to terroir, and respect for the fruit is essential. There is no signature, no dogma or style of wine we are trying to achieve. We believe in the utmost attention to detail at every stage of winemaking, applying intellectual rigor, curiosity, and a willingness to challenge ourselves at each step.
In the vineyard, we do everything within our power to produce the finest fruit each growing season. In the cellar,our winemaking is precise and stripped of pretension, our approach purposeful, uncompromising, natural, and honest. We respect what each vintage gives us, and the authenticity of the story that each growing season tells.
Wines from the Eisele Vineyard consistently carry the stamp of depth and balance that has characterized wines from this place since 1971. They will speak with purity and intention, in the clear voice of their singular terroir.
The Wine
Altagracia, named after Bart Araujo’s grandmother, is a Bordeaux-style blend vinified in the same manner as the Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. It is essentially the expression of the Eastern parcels of the Eisele Vineyard, completed with fruit sourced from other Napa Valley vineyards where we hold long-term grape contracts and which are farmed to our specifications. This Napa Valley Proprietary Red, while very ageable, is readily enjoyable in its youth.
The Vintage
The 2019 vintage started off on the right foot with abundant winter rains that contributed to good mineralization in the soils. Low temperatures in February led to the latest bud break and bloom since 2012. A cool and rainy Spring put our vignerons in perfect conditions to perform their craftsmanship as the plants were growing slowly, leading to plush and perfectly manicured canopies. As the season progressed, mild climatic demand combined with a late onset of moderate water stress encouraged good polyphenol levels. A warm and dry summer without any excesses, requiring little to no irrigation, favored a rapid veraison, an even ripening of the clusters and a natural concentration of flavors. The autumnal equinox (September 23rd) marked the beginning of the Cabernet Sauvignon harvest starting with the dry-farmed vines while the late-ripening Petit Verdot came in last on October 10th.
Winemaking
There was barely any sorting required in the cellar. The perfect ripeness of the skins resulted in a high level of polymeric anthocyanin and moderate tannin levels, leading to very silky and expressive young wines. This 2019 vintage was aged for 19 months in a combination of French oak barrels (93%) and Austrian oak foudres (7%), amounting to 90% new oak.
The Eisele Vineyard grapes are certified ‘Organic’ by CCOF and ‘Biodynamic’ by Demeter.
Tasting notes
This is an exceptional vintage. The 2019 Altagracia Cabernet emerges out of the glass with intense aromas of black cherries, black currant liqueur and blackberry pie spiced up with cinnamon, nutmeg and a hint of rosewood and sandalwood. The mouthfeel is ample and supple, velvety yet vibrant with fine powdery tannins, a bright freshness and sparkling energy. The long and savory finish lingers with spices framed by a hint of saltiness. As the wine opens, layers of floral notes, pencil shavings and volcanic stones add to the complexity. This is a very enticing and captivating Altagracia that reflects the complexity of its soils, the generosity of its climate and the vitality of its plants; in other words: a wine true to its terroir.