Allocated Wines

Volker Eisele Family Estate creates enticing wines from the Chiles Valley District of the Napa Valley. Organically farmed since 1974, the Estate produces wines of uncommon balance and finesse. Long, cool growing seasons, rigorous thinning and harvesting of mature grape clusters yields fruit of robust acidity and wines of great complexity.
“…unmistakable elegance and impeccable balance.” — Robert Parker Jr.

2018 V, Cabernet Sauvignon

The V, Cabernet Sauvignon is a special collaboration born out of a desire to take high quality wine grape growing to its highest potential. The vines from our steepest terrain were heavily thinned to one cluster per shoot, dry farmed and a meticulously managed canopy ensured even ripening. The resulting tiny berries produced a powerhouse of flavors. This is a wine that truly began in the vineyard.

Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Harvest: The grapes were harvested October 28, 2018 with 25.1 degrees average brix, 0.62 total acidity, and 3.57pH

Oak Aging: 22 months in 60% new French oak barrels from Treuil cooperage (i.e. Allier and Troncais).

Organic: All fruit is organically grown in our estate vineyard.

The 2018 V Cabernet Sauvignon is a deeply hued burgundy red in the glass, a visual clue of the overall dark fruit character of the wine. Aromas of classic cassis, black cherry, and fine pipe tobacco perfume the nose, with flavors of juicy, ripe blackberries, black plum, and espresso in perfect balance with finely grained French oak.
  ~Molly Lippitt, Winemaker

“The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon V is an ample, rich wine. Black cherry, leather, sweet ripe tobacco, cedar and earthy notes all build in this sumptuous yet classically built Cabernet. There is plenty to like. The 2018 has so much to offer. It is not an obvious wine, but it is very pretty and impeccably balanced. ”
94 – Antonio Galloni, Vinous

“A full-bodied red with fragrant aromas of dried flowers, blackberries, dates and walnuts. Firm, chewy tannins. Lightly bitter, dried fruit peel and chocolate on the finish”.
91 – James Suckling

$110 / 750ml

2018 Las Flores, Cabernet Sauvignon

The fruit for the Las Flores, Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a section of our vineyard called the Las Flores block, named by the Nevarez family, which has been farming the land with us since 1974. The mustard that grows in the Las Flores block every spring, blooms a more brilliant yellow in this field than anywhere else within our vineyard.

Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Harvest: The grapes were harvested October 23, 2018 with 24.1 degrees average brix, 0.565 total acidity, and 3.575pH

Oak Aging: 22 months in 55% new French oak barrels from Treuil cooperage (i.e. Allier and Troncais).

Organic: All fruit is organically grown in our estate vineyard.

The Las Flores, Cabernet Sauvignon was named for the dense expanse of brilliant yellow wild mustard that carpeted the block. The terrain of the Las Flores block covers the slope of the Volker Eisele Family Estate where the hillside joins the valley floor – the wine that this block grows embodies this unique juxtaposition – not hillside, not valley floor – perched somewhere in between.

“The wine is a deep, ruby red in the glass. The nose is extroverted, with quick volatile aromas of blackberry, black plum, and a hint of wet stone. In the mouth, the wine shows generous aromas of boysenberry, black plum, cassis, and cocoa powder, with a hint of graphite, all well framed by restrained French oak. The wine’s slightly youthful tannins promise an ageability that will reward patient cellaring.”
  ~ Molly Lippett, Winemaker

“The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Las Flores, from a site in Chiles Valley, is a dark sumptuous wine. Black cherry, spice, tobacco, licorice and new leather are kicked up a few notches in this racy yet mid-weight Cabernet. ”.
92 – Antonio Galloni, Vinous

$85 / 750ml

2018 Alexander, Cabernet Sauvignon

On the slopes of Volker Eisele Family Estate, Alexander, the second generation Eisele to tend the vineyard, has developed his passion for perfection. He understands that quality begins with each individual vine. It is with a unique two-acre hillside block, planted to Cabernet Sauvignon in 1976 that he has reached the ultimate, producing the spectacular fruit which goes into the Alexander wine. While yields are low due to precise cluster selection, the quality is extraordinarily high.

Composition: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Harvest: The grapes were harvested October 5, 2018, with 24.0 degrees average brix, 0.58 total acidity, and 3.44pH

Oak Aging: 22 months in 70% new French oak; Allier and Troncais from Treuil.

Organic: All fruit is organically grown in our estate vineyard.

The grapes that become the Alexander Cabernet Sauvignon are grown in a small triangular section on the family vineyard. Separated from the rest of the vineyard by a small creek, the vines here are the oldest on the
property. Yields are low, and the berries are small and deeply concentrated. The “Triangle Block” was harvested on October 5, 2018. The small lot fermentation saw twice daily punchdowns, encouraging gentle, but thorough, tannin and flavor extraction. The young wine was pressed off the skins after thirteen days of fermentation, and barrel-aged for 22 months in 70% new French oak.

“The 2018 Alexander glows a deep, youthful red in the glass. The nose quickly volunteers aromas of black cherry, cassis, creamy saddle leather, and fine pipe tobacco. In the mouth, the wine is generous with flavors of blackberry, cherry, and dark chocolate, with tannins that, typical of this iconic vineyard block of old vines, show a finesse not usually granted to young wine. Espresso, Chinese five spice powder, and vanilla linger throughout the lengthy finish. “
~ Molly Lippitt, Winemaker

“…aromas of blackcurrants, bark, walnut husk, tea leaves and cocoa. It’s medium-bodied with firm,
precise tannins. Nice freshness and minerality here, with lingering notes of black tea. ”
92 – James Suckling

$125  / 750ml