2014 is a classic Eisley vintage, more open than 2013. It has typical Eisley fruit aromas of white flowers, wild berries, black currants, and dried roses, as well as mild vanilla, cinnamon, and almond. Aeration reveals a hint of nibbled cherry. The silky, dense texture and fine tannins speak to the aristocratic nobility of this vintage. The palate is pure and ripe, leading to a subtle salty, peppery, turmeric, and licorice finish. This wonderful vintage combines exceptional brilliance and aromatic complexity with the elegance and finesse that are the hallmarks of Eisley. Although the 2014 winter rainfall in Napa Valley was half that of the average, heavy rains in March just before budbreak flooded Eisley Vineyards. The subsequent warm weather and the absence of spring frosts resulted in the earliest budbreak on record. Flowering occurred two weeks earlier than in 2013, with small, even, good-quality flower clusters. Mild weather in July allowed the grapes to ripen slowly, but warmer temperatures in August and September accelerated ripening. The warmer weather produced excellent, delicate yet very satisfying fruit, and the harvest took place from 15th September to 1st October.
Gentle pressing and slow fermentation allow the fruit's character to shine through, and the toast level and origin of the oak barrels are carefully selected to suit each vineyard plot.
This allows the wine's character to be developed during barrel aging. The grapes at Eisley Vineyard are CCOF certified organic and Demeter certified biodynamic. Eisley Vineyard is located on an alluvial fan near the northern end of Napa Valley, east of Calistoga, and has been growing Cabernet Sauvignon, which has the longest aging potential and the most concentrated flavor, since 1971. Protected by the Palisades Mountains to the north and cooled by the cold air from the west through the Chalk Hill Gap, the 15.2 hectare vineyard is well-drained and rich in boulders, which allows the grapes to grow with low yields and a rich concentration. The wines produced from this wonderful vineyard have a unique combination. They have a straightforward character and a dense, clear flavor, but also have a smooth texture and a concentrated flavor that does not feel heavy, and also have the elements to create complex flavors through aging. Eisley Vineyards was first planted in the 1880s with Zinfandel and Riesling. It has continued to be planted over the years, with the first Cabernet Sauvignon planted in 1964 by Milt and Barbara Eisley. After a string of amazing wines in the 1970s, visionary Napa Valley vintner Joseph Phelps would produce what would become his legendary Cabernet Sauvignon. From 1975 until Joseph Phelps' final vintage of Eisley in 1991, the vineyard produced wines of unparalleled character and quality. The 1991 vintage produced two wines from Eisley Vineyards, one for Phelps' final vintage and the other an Arroho Estate wine released by the Arrohos who purchased Eisley Vineyard that same year. Since then, the wines produced by Araujo at Eisely Vineyard have established themselves as one of California's leading cult wines. Since 2000, Araujo Estate has practiced biodynamic agriculture, and in 2005, it was certified by Demeter as a biodynamic farmer. In both the fields of cultivation and brewing, Araujo has practiced winemaking while adapting to the rhythms of nature. In 2013, François Pinault, known as the owner of Château Latour, a first-class Bordeaux winery in France, Domaine Dugeny and Monopole Clos de Tart in Burgundy, and Château Grillet in Condrieu, acquired Araujo. Under the supervision of Frédéric Angela, general manager of Château Latour, the winery produces classic and new style Napa Valley wines using grapes from Eisely, which has a long history. In 2016, in order to prove the terroir and ability of this vineyard, the winery changed its name to "Eisely Vineyards" and aims to make further leaps.