EISELE VINEYARD
CALISTOGA, NAPA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
WHY BUY:
What do Joseph Phelps, Ridge’s Paul Draper, and Château Latour's François Pinault all have in common? Apart from making some of the most thrilling wines of our time, they've all ratified the greatness of Eisele, a Napa “first growth” that offers three things the passionate collector demands: impeccable provenance (the estate is now under Château Latour's meticulous standards), absolute rarity (they produce just 1,800-2,000 cases annually, from 38 irreplaceable acres), and unparalleled craftsmanship from a microclimate so distinct no other site can replicate it. Their flagship, the Vineyard Cabernet, earned 98 points for its 2022 vintage (as majestic and opulent as any we’ve had the pleasure of sipping in the past year), while the Altagracia delivers the same pedigree at a fraction of the cost and the Sauvignon Blanc delivers a purity and precision most versions can only dream of reaching.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:
James Suckling adored the Vineyard Cabernet, calling it, in a 98-point paean, a “savory and juicy" wine with "sophisticated tannins" showing "such balance and finesse" and "so much class." Jeb Dunnuck reviewed both the Altagracia Cabernet and the Sauvignon Blanc, and came away smitten. He praised the former for its "gorgeous red and black fruits, leather, dried flowers, and Asian spice” and its “ripe, velvety tannins" that "will unquestionably evolve for upwards of two decades,” while declaring the latter to be “an incredibly classy Sauvignon Blanc with a Bordeaux Blanc-like style,” as well as focused, pure, and balanced."
OUR TASTING NOTES:
The Vineyard Cabernet carries itself with a quiet authority, never raising its voice, never striving to be heard: it’s utterly confident of what it is. Which is an absolute blockbuster of a wine, with layer upon layer of complexity that keeps revealing itself hours after you've eased the cork back. The herbal notes and dark fruit dip and dance in ways that make you understand why collectors treat this vineyard like sacred ground. The Altagracia is like discovering a secret; you get 90% of the flagship's sophistication, but for a quarter of the price, with enough depth and concentration to command your full attention, and enough structure to age gracefully for decades. The Sauvignon Blanc surprised me with its mineral depth and edge; this, too, is a wine with confidence, content to let the purity of fruit speak for itself.
THE STORY:
The Eisele story reads like a Who’s Who of California wine aristocracy. When Milton and Barbara Eisele bought this property, in 1969, they probably had no idea they were acquiring what would become one of America's most celebrated vineyard sites. By 1971, Paul Draper, of Ridge fame, was making the first vineyard-designated Cabernet in California history from these grapes. Four years later, along came Joseph Phelps, and the winemaking took a major leap forward. He was succeeded by the Araujo family, whose tenure lasted from 1990 to 2013; the Araujo’s notched the quality even higher, converting to biodynamic farming and establishing the estate's reputation for precision. When François Pinault acquired the property through Artemis Domaines, in 2013, he brought the same obsessive attention to detail that makes Château Latour legendary. Today, this 38-acre estate stands as a paragon of the old-guard, while at the same time embracing new standards and new technology. In short, Eisele is an enviable combination of old and new.
WHAT TO PAIR THEM WITH:
The Vineyard Cabernet demands the heartiest, beefiest preparations you can imagine — a dry-aged ribeye, say, or a pot of slow-braised short ribs. The Altagracia calls for something else; its structure makes it a marvelous match with lamb, duck breast, or mushroom-based dishes. As for the Sauvignon Blanc, it’s magic alongside oysters on the half-shell or a salad with goat cheese.
OUR GUARANTEE:
As always, we only buy and source directly from the estate to ensure that your wines arrive as they should: with pristine provenance. These highly sought-after commodities aren’t going to stick around for long. Secure yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Fall 2026. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in DC, DE, KS, LA, MI, NE, NM, NY, OK, or TN. This offer is valid for TWO WEEKS, or until sold out, and will expire on Tuesday, April 21st, 2026.