A compelling example of this noble terroir in the northeastern sector of Napa Valley, the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard still has a dense purple color and possesses a seamless personality with spectacular notes of licorice, incense, black raspberries, black currants, crushed rock, and spring flowers. Stunningly full-bodied, multi-layered, with great purity and expression, this fabulous wine is still youthful but very accessible, as the tannins are velvety and well-integrated. This wine will keep aging beautifully for a minimum of another quarter century. Bravo!

The 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard is a monumental wine. I still remember the first time I tasted it, at the end of a long day in which our sample bottle was delivered late. Still quite dense, the 2001 possesses tremendous richness from start to finish. Black cherry, gravel, scorched earth, tobacco and incense lend gravitas and intensity. The 2001 needs a ton of time in the decanter. It lies at a marvelous intersection of old school and new world, that very precise style that defined Bart and Daphne Araujo's best wines at Araujo Estate.

Wonderful complexity, depth and finesse, with layers of mocha, espresso, currant, wild berry and vanilla bean flavors that are sharply focused, finishing with tight yet supple tannins and a long, rich aftertaste with layers of complexity. Best from 2005 through 2012. 1,600 cases made.