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.
2012 Cabernet Sauvignon
Composition: 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot
Harvest: The grapes were harvested early October with 24.8 degrees average brix, 0.68 total acidity, and 3.70pH
Oak Aging: 24 months in 50% new French oak barrels from Treuil cooperage (i.e. Aillier and Troncais). The wine is unfined and lightly filtered.
Organic: All fruit is organically grown in our estate vineyard.
The 2010 vintage is a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot for palate softness and complexity of aromas. The various grape lots were picked based on optimum maturity and fermented separately to assess each vineyard block for quality and viticultural practices. Aged in French oak barrels for 24 months the wines were bottled at their peak potential. The color is a vibrant garnet, aromas of ripe black cherry fruit and sweet vanilla oak are all combined with mature tannins and good acidity to make this a great accompaniment to many cuisines. This wine has a long future, but can be enjoyed today.
A beautiful bouquet of blueberry and black currant fruit intermixed with floral undertones jumps from the glass of the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon. Medium to full-bodied, elegant, pure and nicely textured, this strong effort possesses lots of character and richness. The finish reassuringly long. Enjoy it over the next 10+ years.
92 –Robert Parker Jr.
2010 Terzetto
Composition: 1/3 Cabernet Sauvignon, 1/3 Cabernet Franc, 1/3 Merlot
Harvest: The grapes were harvested September 30th with 24.5 degrees average brix, 0.69 total acidity, and 3.55pH
Oak Aging: 24 months in 70% new French oak barrels from Treuil cooperage (i.e. Aillier and Troncais). The wine is unfined and lightly filtered.
Organic: All fruit is organically grown in our estate vineyard.
Production: 617 cases
The goal is to make a wine from the classic Bordeaux varietals that express the classic flavors and aromas of these wines with a soft and round mouth-feel. This vintage’s result is a wine of elegance and finesse that fulfills our intentions; to reflect the style of wine that typifies Bordeaux varietals without any one dominating. The wine is deep red in color with a tinge of purple. Deeper red fruits are evident in the aromas and flavors backed by vibrant toasty oak, sweet vanilla, moderate alcohol, and soft tannins all contribute to the sensation of a wine that fulfills its namesake of being a wine in harmony. Drinkable now but will age gracefully due to its heritage.
The 2010 Proprietary Red Terzetto, a blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, is a fruit-forward, hedonistic red offering lots of strawberry and black cherry fruit, a forest floor-like character, sweet tannin and round, medium to full-bodied flavors. No doubt the Cabernet Franc provides uplift and ethereal complexity to the wine’s interesting aromatics. With beautiful sweet tannin, some sucrosity and plenty of appeal, it will drink well for 8-12 years. One does not see many wines from Chiles Valley, especially Cabernets, at this level of quality.
93 –Robert Parker Jr.
2018 Gemini
Composition: 83% Sauvignon Blanc, 17% Semillon
Harvest: The grapes were harvested September 3, 2018 with 21 degrees average brix, 0.61 total acidity, and 3.28pH
Fermentation: co-fermented in 100% stainless steel.
The grapes for the 2018 Sauvignon Blanc were picked on September 4, 2018. A field blend
of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, the grapes were hand harvested and whole cluster pressed.
The resulting wine was fermented and aged in stainless steel.
The wine is a shimmering pale straw color in the glass. Immediately the nose volunteers
abundant grapefruit, with mandarin oranges and a hint of wet stone. In the mouth, the wine
is expressive with volatile floral flavors – lychee, honeydew melon, and passionfruit,
surrounded with a fresh acidity and a textured, weighty palate.
~Molly Lippett, Winemaker