Winery - Volker Eisele
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
While this isn’t in the same league as the winery’s stunning Alexander reserve-style bottling of Cabernet, it’s an approximation of it and, at about one-third the price, a pretty good value. The wine is rich in blackberry, currant and cedar flavors, and balanced with gorgeous tannins, showing true Napa elegance. Drink now–2012.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon starts with those telltale cat-pee aromas that tell you what to expect. It’s bone dry and high in acidity, with flavors of citrus fruits and a touch of oak. Nice as a cocktail, and versatile at the table.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Shows pure Napa Cabernet flavors with a classic Napa structure. Brilliantly focused in black currant, blackberry, mu shu plum and chocolate flavors, with a rich overlay of charry oak, it’s soft and dry. The tannins are dusty and thick, but very fine now.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is a big wine clearly designed for the cellar. Not that it’s not drinkable now—you could enjoy the sweet chocolatey, blackberry, cherry and spicy oak flavors tonight, especially with a great cut of meat. If you do, decant it for a few hours. But the tannins are rich and finely ground, and this wine should improve through the decade.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is just a little too soft, sweet and ripe, although it retains the classic structure and elegance you demand from the venerable name Eisele. The flavor of sugared crushed blackberries, cherries and caramelly vanilla suggest drinking now.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Sémillon brings a fat, oily richness, suggesting peaches, buttercups and cashews, while Sauvignon Blanc adds a refreshingly tart touch of lemongrass. The overall impression is of a rich, creamy, upscale, softly dry white wine.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
With one-third each of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc and Merlot, this wine hits many high notes, including the delicate, elegant fruity-oaky balance, soft, rich tannins and just-right oak. On the minus side, it’s too soft. It lacks that vivacity and structure that a great wine requires.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
From highlands vineyards in Napa’s Chiles Valley, this is a young, tough Cab. It has some dry, numbing tannins. Still, there’s a heart of blackberry and currant fruit, and good acidity. Try cellaring for a couple years to soften.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The grapes for this Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend were grown in the Chiles Valley section of Napa. The wine in its youth is extremely tannic and dry, making it unsuitable for drinking anytime soon. But it’s exceptionally balanced and has a deep, attractive core of black currant and cedar flavors. There’s no reason why it should not age well. Try after 2011.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A mighty fine white wine. Fills the much-needed niche of extreme dryness, acidity and restraint, which are the hallmarks of elegance. Call it the anti-Chardonnay. A Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc blend with some barrel and sur lie influence, it’s rich and crisp in Meyer lemon, pear, fig, vanilla and smoky butter flavors.
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