Owner/winemaker Dennis Murphy established Eleanor Estate Vineyard in 2005, not long after he purchased the land that would later be home to his production facility and tasting room. Those vines named for his grandmother made up nearly a third of this Left Bank-inspired blend. The Hayden Homes executive also owns two vineyards in the prized SeVein project — Octave and Sanitella – and they combine for 69% of this Cab-heavy red. This flagship red for Caprio is stately and stylish, opening with black currant, dried fig and Baker’s chocolate aromas that include fresh-cut cedar and celery leaf. There’s an early and pleasing persistent push of cherry-rhubarb preserves, nicely managed tannins, and a gorgeous finish of cassis and boysenberry with some dusty dried herbs. Suggested pairings include winery chef Ian Williams’s recipe for gluten-free Red Wine Fudge Brownies.
Rating: 91 points — Outstanding!
Production: 1,034 cases
Alcohol: 14.5%
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