2021 Eisele Vineyard Estate Altagracia Cabernet Sauvignon
| Type of Wine | |
|---|---|
| Country | |
| Region | |
| Appellation | |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Grape | , , |
| Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (13%) |
| Drink window | 2025 - 2052 |
In stock
12 items available
Description
In wine, nothing is as constant as the land. Vintages offer variation, as do winemakers and owners. Mother Nature is fickle and always wants the last word. But the land is a constant, its geology and composition unalterable. At the heart of every great wine lies a piece of land unlike any other. Eisele Vineyard, first planted to vines in the 1880s, is located in the northeastern Napa Valley, just east of Calistoga at the foot of the Palisades Mountains. The vineyard has been farmed organically since 1998 and biodynamically since 2000. The wines produced from this remarkable site have a rare combination of frank character with precisely defined flavors and fine textures, deep concentration without any sense of heaviness, and the ability to develop deep complexity with age. The Eisele Vineyard was originally planted to Zinfandel and Riesling in the 1880s, and has been continuously vined ever since. The first Cabernet was planted in 1964. Besides the Cabernet, Eisele is now also famous for their Sauvignon Blanc. Fantastic white from Napa Valley with again a great storage potential.
The 2021 Altagracia unfolds with earthy notes of forest floor, humus and pine needles. After a swirl or two, scents of violets, cinnamon and blackberry jump out of the glass with a hint of sandalwood. The mouthfeel is supple, velvety yet lively with tight tannins accompanied by a crescendo of red and black currants and blackberries. This impression extends into a lingering finish of tobacco, cumin and turmeric with a stunning powdery texture of a freshly picked fruit. This mineral expression of the volcanic hills is the blueprint of Altagracia's personality and offers a glimpse of its aging potential. A spectacular expression from the eastern parcels of Eisele Vineyard!
FACT: In the Tab: Attachment you will find the official fact sheet of this beautiful wine. We will automatically send it to you when you order this wine. The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you come to pick up the wine you will also receive a nice discount. We are located almost next to the Rijksweg with plenty of parking. Click here for address
Specifications
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Region | Californie |
| Appellation | Napa Valley |
| Winery | Eisele Vineyard |
| Grape | Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Drinking as of | 2025 |
| Drinking till | 2052 |
| Alcohol % | 13 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 94 |
| James Suckling rating | 96 |
| Tasting Profiles | Complex, Donker fruit, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Tannines, Vol |
| Drink moments | Indruk maken, Lekker luxe |
Professional Reviews
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 94
Reviewed by:
Joe Czerwinski
Release Price:
NA
Drink Date:
2027 - 2040
While past vintages of Altagracia included some purchased fruit, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Altagracia is all estate fruit selected from certain blocks—mostly the more volcanic parcels and young vines. A blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc, it's redolent of crushed stone and a mix of red and black cherries, while the medium to full-bodied palate is supple and creamy, then comes to a rather tannic, compact, mocha-tinged finish. Give it a couple of years in the cellar.
Part of François Pinault's Artemis Domaines since 2013 when it was purchased from Bart and Daphne Araujo, the onsite team is led by General Manager Antoine Donnedieu de Vabres and Technical Director Hélène Mingot, both of whom have been at the property since 2013. In overall philosophy, not that much has changed since the change in ownership. The grapes are still grown biodynamically, and the goal is still to allow the site to express itself, largely through the lens of Cabernet Sauvignon.
This was my first official visit to this famed site in Calistoga, although I'll confess to having cruised past the legendary vineyard on a couple of previous occasions (I was a member of the Araujo Estate mailing list for the 1994 to 1998 vintages). For those unfamiliar with the location, it sits on Pickett Road on the eastern side of the AVA, adjoining the neighboring Alfred Frediani Ranch, which Artemis acquired early in 2023 for a reported $18.5 million. That property added just under 28 acres of vines to the existing 38 acres at Eisele. Extensive redevelopment is planned to bring the new acreage up to Eisele standards, although the head-trained Cabernet Sauvignon planted in 1983 has been kept—it was previously being purchased for use in Altagracia.
The Cabernet Sauvignon is destemmed—an optical sorter has been in place since 2020—and then goes into vats as whole berries for two or three days of pre-fermentation maceration. Fermentation is long and slow, using indigenous yeasts and maintaining temperatures below 82 degrees Fahrenheit until the end, when vats may reach 84 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Top lots will spend a total of 24 to 30 days on skins. Malolactic fermentation takes place in tank, and then the wines are drained to barrel, after which the lots are generally not racked again until blending and bottling.
Followers of the property will know that there is a small amount of Syrah also in the ground, sufficient to make 250 to 300 cases annually. "We cannot make the best Syrah on the planet," said Donnedieu. "But the goal is to make something pleasurable and easy to drink." Most years, it's considerably better than that.
The Sauvignon Blanc is about 75% Musqué clone and matures in a diverse mix of stainless steel, concrete and new/used French oak. It's not as big and rich as some Napa Valley Sauvignons, showing more Gallic restraint than most. "If we wait for the aromas on the vine," said Mingot, "we're too late."
Having now visited two of Artemis's properties—I previously reported on Château Grillet when I was reviewing Rhône wines—I feel confident that these historic properties are in capable hands, committed to responsible custodianship of the land and the production of high-quality wines. While most of the sales are direct-to-consumer through the mailing list, some bottles do make it into distribution and may be found at local Napa restaurants as well.
Published: Oct 17, 2024
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
Score
96
Avg Price (ex-tax)$ 162
Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Altagracia 2021
Friday, Jan 26, 2024
Color
Red
Country
United States
Region
California
Vintage
2021
A solid Altagracia with currants, blueberries and pine and bark aromas and some sweet tobacco. Aromas that follow through on the palate to a full body with a well-framed tannin profile. Crunchy at the end. Juicy too. Needs as couple of years to come together. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Best after 2027.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
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Wijnhuis
In wine, nothing is so immutable as the land. Vintages offer variety, as do winemakers and owners. Mother Nature is capricious and always wants the last word. But the land is a constant, its geology and composition unchanging. At the heart of every great wine is a piece of land like no other.
Eisele Vineyard, first planted with vines in the 1880s, is located in the northeastern Napa Valley, just east of Calistoga at the base of the Palisades Mountains. Grown organically since 1998 and biodynamically since 2000, the site has been devoted mainly to Cabernet Sauvignon for the last fifty years. Beginning with its inaugural release called Eisele in 1971, this iconic vineyard has consistent recognition for owning one of Napa Valley's great terroirs. The wines invariably express the exceptional depth, elegance and longevity that characterize the Eisele vineyard.
Since 1971, some of California's most famous Cabernet Sauvignons have been made from grapes grown in the Eisele Vineyard, located on an alluvial slope near the north end of the Napa Valley, just east of Calistoga. Protected by the Palisades Mountains to the north and cooled by the western breezes of the Chalk Hill Gap, this 38-acre vineyard is planted on well-drained boulder soils that produce a low-yielding crop of exceptionally concentrated fruit.
The wines produced in this remarkable place have a rare combination of frank character with precisely defined flavors and fine textures, deep concentration without any sense of heaviness, and the ability to develop deep complexity with age. The Eisele vineyard was originally planted in the 1880s in Zinfandel and Riesling, and has been continuously covered with vines ever since. The first Cabernet was planted in 1964. In addition to the Cabernet, Eisele is now also famous with their Sauvignon Blanc. Fantastic white from Napa Valley with great aging potential again.
In wine, nothing is as constant as the land. Vintages offer variation, as do winemakers and owners. Mother Nature is fickle and always wants the last word. But the land is a constant, its geology and composition unalterable. At the heart of every great wine lies a piece of land unlike any other. Eisele Vineyard, first planted to vines in the 1880s, is located in the northeastern Napa Valley, just east of Calistoga at the foot of the Palisades Mountains. The vineyard has been farmed organically since 1998 and biodynamically since 2000. The wines produced from this remarkable site have a rare combination of frank character with precisely defined flavors and fine textures, deep concentration without any sense of heaviness, and the ability to develop deep complexity with age. The Eisele Vineyard was originally planted to Zinfandel and Riesling in the 1880s, and has been continuously vined ever since. The first Cabernet was planted in 1964. Besides the Cabernet, Eisele is now also famous for their Sauvignon Blanc. Fantastic white from Napa Valley with again a great storage potential.
The 2021 Altagracia unfolds with earthy notes of forest floor, humus and pine needles. After a swirl or two, scents of violets, cinnamon and blackberry jump out of the glass with a hint of sandalwood. The mouthfeel is supple, velvety yet lively with tight tannins accompanied by a crescendo of red and black currants and blackberries. This impression extends into a lingering finish of tobacco, cumin and turmeric with a stunning powdery texture of a freshly picked fruit. This mineral expression of the volcanic hills is the blueprint of Altagracia's personality and offers a glimpse of its aging potential. A spectacular expression from the eastern parcels of Eisele Vineyard!
FACT: In the Tab: Attachment you will find the official fact sheet of this beautiful wine. We will automatically send it to you when you order this wine. The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you come to pick up the wine you will also receive a nice discount. We are located almost next to the Rijksweg with plenty of parking. Click here for address
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Region | Californie |
| Appellation | Napa Valley |
| Winery | Eisele Vineyard |
| Grape | Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Drinking as of | 2025 |
| Drinking till | 2052 |
| Alcohol % | 13 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 94 |
| James Suckling rating | 96 |
| Tasting Profiles | Complex, Donker fruit, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Tannines, Vol |
| Drink moments | Indruk maken, Lekker luxe |
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 94
Reviewed by:
Joe Czerwinski
Release Price:
NA
Drink Date:
2027 - 2040
While past vintages of Altagracia included some purchased fruit, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Altagracia is all estate fruit selected from certain blocks—mostly the more volcanic parcels and young vines. A blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc, it's redolent of crushed stone and a mix of red and black cherries, while the medium to full-bodied palate is supple and creamy, then comes to a rather tannic, compact, mocha-tinged finish. Give it a couple of years in the cellar.
Part of François Pinault's Artemis Domaines since 2013 when it was purchased from Bart and Daphne Araujo, the onsite team is led by General Manager Antoine Donnedieu de Vabres and Technical Director Hélène Mingot, both of whom have been at the property since 2013. In overall philosophy, not that much has changed since the change in ownership. The grapes are still grown biodynamically, and the goal is still to allow the site to express itself, largely through the lens of Cabernet Sauvignon.
This was my first official visit to this famed site in Calistoga, although I'll confess to having cruised past the legendary vineyard on a couple of previous occasions (I was a member of the Araujo Estate mailing list for the 1994 to 1998 vintages). For those unfamiliar with the location, it sits on Pickett Road on the eastern side of the AVA, adjoining the neighboring Alfred Frediani Ranch, which Artemis acquired early in 2023 for a reported $18.5 million. That property added just under 28 acres of vines to the existing 38 acres at Eisele. Extensive redevelopment is planned to bring the new acreage up to Eisele standards, although the head-trained Cabernet Sauvignon planted in 1983 has been kept—it was previously being purchased for use in Altagracia.
The Cabernet Sauvignon is destemmed—an optical sorter has been in place since 2020—and then goes into vats as whole berries for two or three days of pre-fermentation maceration. Fermentation is long and slow, using indigenous yeasts and maintaining temperatures below 82 degrees Fahrenheit until the end, when vats may reach 84 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Top lots will spend a total of 24 to 30 days on skins. Malolactic fermentation takes place in tank, and then the wines are drained to barrel, after which the lots are generally not racked again until blending and bottling.
Followers of the property will know that there is a small amount of Syrah also in the ground, sufficient to make 250 to 300 cases annually. "We cannot make the best Syrah on the planet," said Donnedieu. "But the goal is to make something pleasurable and easy to drink." Most years, it's considerably better than that.
The Sauvignon Blanc is about 75% Musqué clone and matures in a diverse mix of stainless steel, concrete and new/used French oak. It's not as big and rich as some Napa Valley Sauvignons, showing more Gallic restraint than most. "If we wait for the aromas on the vine," said Mingot, "we're too late."
Having now visited two of Artemis's properties—I previously reported on Château Grillet when I was reviewing Rhône wines—I feel confident that these historic properties are in capable hands, committed to responsible custodianship of the land and the production of high-quality wines. While most of the sales are direct-to-consumer through the mailing list, some bottles do make it into distribution and may be found at local Napa restaurants as well.
Published: Oct 17, 2024
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
Score
96
Avg Price (ex-tax)$ 162
Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Altagracia 2021
Friday, Jan 26, 2024
Color
Red
Country
United States
Region
California
Vintage
2021
A solid Altagracia with currants, blueberries and pine and bark aromas and some sweet tobacco. Aromas that follow through on the palate to a full body with a well-framed tannin profile. Crunchy at the end. Juicy too. Needs as couple of years to come together. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Best after 2027.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
In wine, nothing is so immutable as the land. Vintages offer variety, as do winemakers and owners. Mother Nature is capricious and always wants the last word. But the land is a constant, its geology and composition unchanging. At the heart of every great wine is a piece of land like no other.
Eisele Vineyard, first planted with vines in the 1880s, is located in the northeastern Napa Valley, just east of Calistoga at the base of the Palisades Mountains. Grown organically since 1998 and biodynamically since 2000, the site has been devoted mainly to Cabernet Sauvignon for the last fifty years. Beginning with its inaugural release called Eisele in 1971, this iconic vineyard has consistent recognition for owning one of Napa Valley's great terroirs. The wines invariably express the exceptional depth, elegance and longevity that characterize the Eisele vineyard.
Since 1971, some of California's most famous Cabernet Sauvignons have been made from grapes grown in the Eisele Vineyard, located on an alluvial slope near the north end of the Napa Valley, just east of Calistoga. Protected by the Palisades Mountains to the north and cooled by the western breezes of the Chalk Hill Gap, this 38-acre vineyard is planted on well-drained boulder soils that produce a low-yielding crop of exceptionally concentrated fruit.
The wines produced in this remarkable place have a rare combination of frank character with precisely defined flavors and fine textures, deep concentration without any sense of heaviness, and the ability to develop deep complexity with age. The Eisele vineyard was originally planted in the 1880s in Zinfandel and Riesling, and has been continuously covered with vines ever since. The first Cabernet was planted in 1964. In addition to the Cabernet, Eisele is now also famous with their Sauvignon Blanc. Fantastic white from Napa Valley with great aging potential again.