Chappellet
is well known in Napa. Now in their 51st year, this family-owned
winery still turns out an impressive portfolio of wine. And just as Napa is
synonymous with Cabernet, Chappellet
is synonymous with Pritchard Hill. Named
for homesteader Charles Pritchard who in the 1890s was growing Zinfandel and
Riesling on this spot, Mr. Pritchard had no idea he was growing the wrong
grapes in these alluvial soils. It’s Cabernet that shines light a light on this
hill. In 1967 Donn and Molly Chappellet bought property here, in part based on
the advice of André Tchelistcheff,
then at Beaulieu Vineyard, and since then have been working Cab here.
Their 2014
Signature Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is comprised of predominantly Cabernet
with 9% Petit Verdot, 6% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Franc and 4% Merlot. Upon initial
opening…it needs some air time, hang time, a bit of time where the oxygen
affects the wine and brings out a deeper resonance. So yes, taste it, but let
the glass alone for a while – I suggest a decanting time of at least 30
minutes. Once done you easily pick up notes of blackberry compote, blubbery
pie, boysenberry, side notes of cedar and mint, with back notes of eucalyptus
and sweet resin, cocoa and anise. The acidity and tannins are fully integrated
so that when you drink this, it’s a comprehensive mouth feel. So, let this grow
on you, slowly. Wines like this need time to develop in the glass, and that is
one of the reasons of making a wine like this. Time. Time and the willingness
to explore.
ORIGIN: Napa, California
PRICE: $65/750ML
ALCOHOL: 14.5%
SCORE: 93 POINTS
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