Altagracia Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Eisele Vineyard, Napa Valley, California

“Altagracia, named after Bart Araujo’s grandmother, is a Bordeaux-style blend vinified in the same manner as the Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. It is essentially the expression of the Eastern parcels of the Eisele Vineyard, completed with fruit sourced from other Napa Valley vineyards where we hold long-term grape contracts and which are farmed to our specifications. This Napa Valley Proprietary Red, while very ageable, is readily enjoyable in its youth.” – winery. There was barely any sorting necessary in the cellar. The perfect ripeness of the skins resulted in a high level of polymeric anthocyanin and moderate tannin levels, leading to very silky and expressive young wines. This 2019 vintage was aged for 19 months in a combination of French oak barrels (93%)and Austrian oak foudres (7%), amounting to 100% new oak. Intense and sophisticated, the wine unveils with deep aromas of blue fruits, Bigarreau cherries and violets followed by subtle notes of rosemary and pencil lead. The mouthfeel is silky smooth, with incredible definition and finesse. Perfectly ripe and tight-knit tannins support the youthful energy of the fruit, layered with wild blueberry coulis. The very long finish lingers with mineral notes of graphite and volcanic soil, laced with aromas of Madagascar vanilla, cinnamon and wilted roses.