97+ points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard is breathtaking. Everything is in the right place in this dazzling, superb Cabernet Sauvignon. Layers of dark fruit, plums, camphor, licorice and espresso emerge from this effortless, gracious wine. The integration of fruit, tannin and French oak (100% new) is simply phenomenal. There is a dark, brooding quality to the 2008 that is immensely appealing. This is a stunning wine from Araujo. The 2008 is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2028. (Dec 2011)"
97 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "Our host very graciously adds the 2008 Araujo Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard, a fabulous contribution, as it allows us to explore another vintage and one of Napa Valley’s most important vintages. At age 15, the 2008 remains quite young. I am surprised to see a bit more sweet oak character here than in some of the younger wines in the tasting, perhaps a reflection of the preferences of that era. Even so, the 2008 offers up plenty of Eisele character in its dark fruit, leather, tobacco, espresso, scorched earth and spice flavors. The balance here is not as perfect as it can be in the very best vintages, perhaps a lingering reminder of a season marked by drought, frost, and heat during bloom but then much more favorable conditions through the end of summer and into harvest. The 2008 was one of the first young vintages I tasted at Araujo. It’s great to revisit it on this evening. Drink: 2023-2038. (Jul 2023)"
97 points Wine Spectator: "Dense, rich and enormously concentrated, mixing power with finesse. Pure, ripe, riveting aromas of blackberry, blueberry, currant, sage, cedar, espresso and mocha lead to a full-bodied palate, firming beautifully on the finish, where the flavors glide along and gain traction. Drink now through 2028. 1,392 cases made. (11/15/11)"
95 points James Suckling: "I have tasted this a number of times now, and it is exciting stuff with loads of energy. A nice combination of the power of 2007 and the complexity of 2006. Fabulous nose of sweet tobacco, blackberries that turn to porcini mushroom and brambleberry. It's almost ginger root in character too. Full and very soft with gorgeous round and delicious tannins and a subtle, long, long finish. Hints of coffee and vanilla. Very subtle. So beautiful now. Balanced and refined. Better in 2013. (Jun 2011)"
94 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "(89% cabernet sauvignon, 6.6% cabernet franc and 4.4% petit verdot): Ruby-red. Reticent but pure aromas of black cherry, black tea and flowers. Densely packed and youthfully tight, with juicy, high-pitched flavors of sweet dark fruits, leather and licorice. At once lush and perfumed, showing lovely vibrancy for a wine from this hot site. The long, building finish displays the firm tannic structure for a graceful evolution in bottle. This has turned out very well. (May/Jun 2011)"
94 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Cassis, blackberry, smoke, coca, truffle, tobacco and spice scents are easy to find In the mouth, this silky, refined, powerful wine feels lush. The tannic finish ends with cassis, licorice and blackberry sensations. (Mar 2011)"
Producer notes: "This wine exudes heady aromas of black currant, blackberry and dark plum, enhanced by touches of anise, smoke, cinnamon and cola. In the mouth, the fruit notes are pure cassis spiced with nutmeg and sarsaparilla, leading to more earthy notes of loam, graphite and espresso. The wine is dense and concentrated but balanced, its core sweetness embraced by firm but silky tannins; the wine seems to dance across the palate into a lingering finish of spice and minerals. Notes winemaker Françoise Peschon: Beginning with soft creaminess on the attack, becoming powerful and rich in the mouth, and finishing with a supple sweetness, there is tension in this wine that holds your interest throughout. It is a wine of power, persistence and grace."
97 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "Our host very graciously adds the 2008 Araujo Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard, a fabulous contribution, as it allows us to explore another vintage and one of Napa Valley’s most important vintages. At age 15, the 2008 remains quite young. I am surprised to see a bit more sweet oak character here than in some of the younger wines in the tasting, perhaps a reflection of the preferences of that era. Even so, the 2008 offers up plenty of Eisele character in its dark fruit, leather, tobacco, espresso, scorched earth and spice flavors. The balance here is not as perfect as it can be in the very best vintages, perhaps a lingering reminder of a season marked by drought, frost, and heat during bloom but then much more favorable conditions through the end of summer and into harvest. The 2008 was one of the first young vintages I tasted at Araujo. It’s great to revisit it on this evening. Drink: 2023-2038. (Jul 2023)"
97 points Wine Spectator: "Dense, rich and enormously concentrated, mixing power with finesse. Pure, ripe, riveting aromas of blackberry, blueberry, currant, sage, cedar, espresso and mocha lead to a full-bodied palate, firming beautifully on the finish, where the flavors glide along and gain traction. Drink now through 2028. 1,392 cases made. (11/15/11)"
95 points James Suckling: "I have tasted this a number of times now, and it is exciting stuff with loads of energy. A nice combination of the power of 2007 and the complexity of 2006. Fabulous nose of sweet tobacco, blackberries that turn to porcini mushroom and brambleberry. It's almost ginger root in character too. Full and very soft with gorgeous round and delicious tannins and a subtle, long, long finish. Hints of coffee and vanilla. Very subtle. So beautiful now. Balanced and refined. Better in 2013. (Jun 2011)"
94 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "(89% cabernet sauvignon, 6.6% cabernet franc and 4.4% petit verdot): Ruby-red. Reticent but pure aromas of black cherry, black tea and flowers. Densely packed and youthfully tight, with juicy, high-pitched flavors of sweet dark fruits, leather and licorice. At once lush and perfumed, showing lovely vibrancy for a wine from this hot site. The long, building finish displays the firm tannic structure for a graceful evolution in bottle. This has turned out very well. (May/Jun 2011)"
94 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Cassis, blackberry, smoke, coca, truffle, tobacco and spice scents are easy to find In the mouth, this silky, refined, powerful wine feels lush. The tannic finish ends with cassis, licorice and blackberry sensations. (Mar 2011)"
Producer notes: "This wine exudes heady aromas of black currant, blackberry and dark plum, enhanced by touches of anise, smoke, cinnamon and cola. In the mouth, the fruit notes are pure cassis spiced with nutmeg and sarsaparilla, leading to more earthy notes of loam, graphite and espresso. The wine is dense and concentrated but balanced, its core sweetness embraced by firm but silky tannins; the wine seems to dance across the palate into a lingering finish of spice and minerals. Notes winemaker Françoise Peschon: Beginning with soft creaminess on the attack, becoming powerful and rich in the mouth, and finishing with a supple sweetness, there is tension in this wine that holds your interest throughout. It is a wine of power, persistence and grace."
| Product SKU | 311879 |
| Producer | Araujo |
| Country | United States |
| Region | California |
| Varietal | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Vintage | 2008 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | Red |
| Blend | 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.6% Cabernet Franc, 4.4% Petit Verdot |
| Ships To |
