1998 Araujo Estate Cabernet Eisele

It is supple and elegant, with a complex, evolved bouquet of smoke, black currants, spice box, and cedar. In the mouth, the wine is forward with sweet tannin, gorgeously rich, concentrated fruit, and impressively integrated acidity and tannins.

Rating 92 (Parker) 94 (Jennings) 

1999 Araujo Estate Cabernet Eisele      

Boasts explosive aromas of incense, creme de cassis, minerals, and flowers. It is medium to full-bodied, with great harmony, and a sweet attack as well as finish. This is a classic example of power and richness allied to considerable elegance. Those in the foreign press who accuse California of being incapable of producing elegant wines have obviously never tasted this Cabernet.

Rating 95  (Parker) 93-96 (Tanzer)

2000 Araujo Estate Cabernet Eisele

This vintage produced lighter wines, resulting in a Bordeaux-like example of this cuvee. After 22 months in oak, this textured, perfumed Cabernet offers up aromas of black currants, earth, and lilacs (reminiscent of Chateau Margaux). It possesses a deep ruby/purple color as well as medium body, a good texture, a slight austerity, but brilliant purity and balance. A lighter-weight effort by Araujo’s standards, it is extremely well-balanced and approachable.

Rating 93 (Jennings) 92 (Tanzer)