Below is the March, 2007 Featured Wine for the Wines by Jennifer Cellar Club:

2002 Volker Eisele Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, California The grapes for this wine were estate-grown in the Volker Eisele vineyard, located in the Chiles Valley District of Napa Valley. The gradual slopes are 900-1000 feet above sea level and the light soils found there benefit from cool nights and mild daytime temperatures (a perfect Cabernet climate), enhancing the development of wines with subtle flavors, full body, and overall complexity. Since 1974, three generations of the Eisele family have been farming the property, which saw its first plantings in the 1870's. The vineyard is certified organic. The 2002 Volker Eisele Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon combines a blend of 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot for added structure and complexity. The grapes were harvested at their peak maturity in early October. After careful vinification to enhance their individuality the lots were blended to best reflect the character of the vineyard. This wine was barrel aged in 50% new oak from the center of France, all from the Treuil cooperage. The wine is richly fruited, yet has structure and depth of character for extended cellaring. The reviews: From highlands vineyards in Napa's Chiles Valley, this is a young Cab. There is a heart of blackberry and currant fruit, and good acidity. Try cellaring for a couple of years. — Wine Enthusiast, 89 points. The dark ruby/purple-tinged 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon offers attractive earthy, black currant, and subtle oak aromas. This Bordeaux-styled red possesses good structure, a certain lightness and maturity and clean pure, black currant fruit, as well as hints of licorice and spice. It is a nicely rendered Cabernet that should drink well for 10-12 years. -- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate Smelling of cherries, minerals and a touch of violets, this full-bodied bottling leads with fairly ripe fruit in the mouth. It becomes increasingly tannic following a fairly supple start on the palate, but it has the stuffing needed to balance its astringency and forecast a fine future. -- Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine, 90 Points.

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