1971 Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
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Tasting notes
From a fabulous valley floor site in Napa, the 1971 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard was slightly lighter ruby colored and has a more California style compared to Bordeaux feel of the Monte Bello releases, giving up loads of sweet kirsch and black fruits, menthol, dried flowers, and spice. Beautiful on the palate as well, with medium body and an evolved, elegant, layered texture, it’s drinking at point but certainly isn’t showing signs of cracking.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
More reviews and scores
There are some wines that due to their extreme rarity and so elusive, I never think I am going to taste it. 1971 Ridge Eisele was one of those wines. I will probably never see another bottle. But the experience is not one I will forget. Spice box, coconut, earth, black cherry liqueur, tobacco, cedar and fennel notes were enough to keep my interest. On the palate, the wine is soft, clean, fresh and packed with blackberry and cherry notes. This was still going strong at over 40 years of age. 97 Points
No tasting note.
About the producer
Best known for its iconic Monte Bello, Ridge Vineyards makes some of California’s finest wines – particularly Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. Long a pioneer of sustainable farming and minimal-intervention winemaking, Ridge makes an extensive range from Sonoma County and the Santa Cruz Mountains.