The Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the renowned Eisele Vineyard which has a long history of producing stunning wines (the Ridge 1971 Eisele Vineyard the Conn Creek 1974 the Phelps 1976 Insignia and the 1975 and 1978 Eisele Vineyard Cabernets). At present the Araujos limit production of their estate Cabernet Sauvignon to approximately 2500 cases. It is a wine that combines the extraordinary power and richness of this hot area of Napa with stunning purity and delineation. The 1994 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard is just beginning to emerge from a period of post-bottling dormancy. Like its siblings it exhibits an impressively saturated dark purple color. This wine is intent on revealing its charms at a relatively early age given its knock-out aromatics. Although slightly less powerful than the 1993 and marginally less concentrated than the 1995 the 1994 is still a profoundly rich silky-textured wine with an uncanny balance between its smooth tannin and layers of cassis and blackberry/mineral-tinged fruit. This wine is particularly impressive if it is first decanted for 45 or so minutes. It will age well for 15-20 years.

This wine builds intensity and depth with a youthful vibrant core of black cherry currant and wild berry. Deftly balanced with firm tannins and fine structure the finish shows power and finesse with a rich aftertaste and loads of tannins yet to shed.--California Cabernet '74/'84/'94 retrospective. Drink now through 2014. 2400 cases made. -JL