Eleanor is named after Francis Ford Coppola’s wife of many, many years, and it’s a high-end red wine blend, made from a hodgepodge of 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Syrah, and 22% Petite Sirah grapes sourced from both Napa and Sonoma County. Said to be styled after Penfolds Grange, the wine is officially sourced 63% from Sonoma and 37% from Napa.
It’s a fascinating — if almost overpowering — wine, featuring a ton of tannin that masks, to some degree, its classic currant and cherry core. Touches of minty eucalyptus help to soften up the tannin on the lengthy finish, allowing some notes of dried herbs and mixed spices to percolate up. Be patient with this one, either through bottle aging or aeration/decanting.