The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon La Voleuse du Chagrin is a magnificent, riveting wine that will have readers at the edge of their seats. It emerges from a tiny parcel of Eisele Clone Cabernet Sauvignon on St. George rootstock that was once part of the Eisele Vineyard. Intense in its bouquet and overall energy, the 2019 dazzles from the very first taste. The purity of the flavors is just remarkable. I won't be surprised if the Voleuse ends up being one of the wines of the vintage. It is every bit that compelling.

Fruit from Geeslin vineyard next to Araujo Estate. Soils are sand and river stones. Deep, staining purple. Gorgeous, still quite youthful and tense but with expressive floral fruit and a deep mineral coolness. Fine-grained tannin that frames fresh acidity. Incredible balance for an area as hot as Calistoga. Elegant and cedary. Lighter than the rest of the bottlings shown by this producer. (SCJ)