Benchmark Wines by

Araujo Estate Wines

The Winery

Araujo Estate

Staying true to their mission statement “To produce organically grown fruit and with this fruit make a singular wine of the highest caliber and distinction,” Bart and Daphne Araujo have been creating magnificent wines from their own Eisele Vineyard, which was included in Robert Parker Jr.’s The World’s Greatest Wine Estates: A. Modern Perspective”. Hailed by critics, the Eisele Vineyards has been producing world class Cabernets since 1964. Araujo is revered for their ability to create world-class cult wines organically. With the judicious use of Biodynamics, their wines can be laid down for 25+ years. Former winemaker Francoise Peschon, Araujo has recently turned over operations to the more-than-capable hands of Niles Kingsman, who came to Araujo from Krupp Brothers Winery. Araujo produces four wines each year totaling 2000 cases: the Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard (1995 98pts Wine Advocate); Altagracia, a second estate Cabernet; Syrah Eisele Vineyard; and Sauvignon Blanc Eisele Vineyard.

www.eiselevineyard.com

View all wines by Araujo Estate Wines

Tasting Notes

JS95
Glorious aromas, like walking into a flower shop, from roses to lilacs. Lots of dark fruit too. Then goes to slate and dark mushroom. Full body, super refined tannins and refresh and ultra-clean finish. A thoroughly balanced and refined wine. 80% cabernet sauvignon, 10% cabernet franc, 6% petit verdot, and 4% malbec. So delicious to drink now.
WA93
As for the 2013 Proprietary Red Altagracia, the blend is slightly different, at 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot and 4% Malbec. One of the finest Altagracias I’ve tasted to date, the color is saturated ruby/purple, much darker than the 2012 and the wine slightly less fragrant and more coiled tight. Yet, it is also more concentrated and promising. The wine is a heck of a second wine, but does require some patience. For now, deep, rich blackcurrant and blackberry fruit with floral notes (white flowers?), medium to full body and sweet tannin are all present in this relatively larger-scaled Altagracia than we’ve seen in the past (14.8% alcohol). The finish is long, still youthful and certainly approachable, but this wine will be better with 2-4 years bottle age and should keep for at least two decades.

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