The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is like an iron fist wrapped in a velvet glove. The tiny berries, typical of the 2017 vintage, have a core of deep, spicy, dark fruit. It starts with concentrated violets and the blue fruit aromas typical of Eisley Vineyard, with a hint of roasted meat juice. As time passes, the aroma of American cherry and tobacco leaves also emerge. The mouthfeel is fresh and sophisticated, with umami and great concentration. The tannins are very fine and dense, with hints of coconut powder and Darjeeling tea, and a long finish with layers of dark fruit. This wine has great potential for long-term aging. The winter of 2017 marked the end of a dry winter that had continued for the previous five years. However, several winter storms came in the latter half of the rainy season, so bud break was normal. Mild temperatures and rainfall since the start of April have allowed for impressive canopy growth. Spring temperatures have been mild, resulting in the latest flowering since 2012. The first heatwave in June moderated vine vigor and resulted in smaller berries throughout the vineyard. A warmer than average summer led to a slow start to veraison in early August. More frequent heatwaves then led to repeated ripening, resulting in concentrated, fresh grapes. The harvest was carefully sorted and only the perfect berries were used. Overall, the fruit was very tasty.
Due to the small size of the grapes, the yield was 35% lower than in 2016. 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. The 15.2 hectare vineyard, protected by the Palisades Mountains to the north and cooled by the cold air from the west through the Chalk Hill Gap, has well-drained, stony soil, which grows grapes with low yields and a rich concentration. The wines produced from this wonderful vineyard have a unique combination. They have a straightforward personality and a dense, clear flavor, but also have a smooth texture and a concentrated taste without feeling heavy, and also have elements that create complex flavors through aging. Eisley Vineyards was first planted in the 1880s with Zinfandel and Riesling. It has continued to be planted, 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 Vineyards 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.