Eisele Vineyard - Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

JAMES SUCKLING: "Aromas of blueberries and currants and floral hints, such as violets, with subtle minerality. Opens into true beauty and pureness of fruit. Medium to full body. Seamless tannins spread across the palate. Shows finesse and focus and the true character of Eisele. Beautifully crafted. Try after 2023, but already a joy to taste."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Composed of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon displays a deep garnet-purple color and is a little sluggish to reveal its fragrant core of plum preserves, crème de cassis, blueberry compote and Morello cherries with accents of stewed Darjeeling tea, underbrush, cloves and tobacco leaf plus a waft of pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, the palate struts it stuff with amazing poise, structured with very fine, ripe tannins and lovely freshness, finishing long and perfumed."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "The 2017 Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is deep garnet-purple in color. It waltzes out with carefree notes of lavender, chocolate-covered cherries, black raspberries, and cassis, with underlying hints of clove oil, allspice, and wild sage. The full-bodied palate is plush and expressive, with opulent exotic spice nuances to complement the black and red fruit layers, finishing with great poise."

WINE SPECTATOR: "A prominent tobacco leaf note leads off, quickly followed by a deep well of warm steeped black currant and blackberry fruit. Flashes of Turkish coffee, humus and roasted bay leaf score the finish and then linger, letting the core of fruit stretch out and expand. A wine bristling with distinctive terroir. Best from 2022 through 2042. 1,284 cases made."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "The 2017 vintage was a challenge for many producers as the heatwave in September created difficult conditions for vines. The Eisele 2017 still has precision and focus that shows success in a challenging year. It doesn’t capture the absolute poise and sophistication of 2016 but is still an impressive and beautiful wine. The aromas bring together notes of plum, grapefruit pith, a touch of coffee, cracked pine and a hint of witch hazel. It falls somewhere between the floral elements of 2016 and the savoury character of 2015 with slightly more tactile tannins than other vintages, while the acidity is balanced and persistent. The wine is in its introspective phase currently and will surely become more expressive and open given a few more years in bottle. There is good persistence and plenty of detail to deliver a beautiful wine after a few years in the cellar. "