Freddy R. Troya

9.6

Chappellet – Signature Cabernet Sauvignon – 2022 🇺🇸
Pritchard Hill (Mountain Fruit) – Napa Valley AVA – California, USA

Overview
A cornerstone of Chappellet for over three decades, the Signature Cabernet Sauvignon continues to define what Napa Valley mountain Cabernet is all about: power, elegance, and longevity.
The 2022 vintage carries a subtly adjusted blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 7% Malbec, 2% Merlot, featuring a touch more Cabernet Sauvignon and slightly less Petit Verdot and Malbec compared to the 2021 (see my v2021 notes).
This shift gives the 2022 an extra dimension of muscle and purity, heightening its mountain-driven character.

Aromas & Flavors
Undeniably dark and expressive. Notes of blackcurrant, dark cherry, plum, and cassis rise first, followed by cedar, sage, aged tobacco, thyme, and beautifully integrated toasted oak.
As it opens, deeper nuances emerge, espresso bean, cocoa, graphite, and subtle mountain herbs.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and impeccably structured.
The increase in Cabernet Sauvignon amplifies its power and linearity, while polished tannins deliver a glowing richness across the palate.
Flavors of black cherry, currant, chocolate, espresso, and warm spice saturate the mid-palate. The finish is long, confident, and built for aging.

Food Pairings
Prime rib, grilled ribeye, lamb with rosemary, venison, black-truffle dishes, or aged gouda/cheddar.

Verdict
A formidable yet seductively elegant expression of Pritchard Hill. The 2022 is slightly more commanding than the 2021, with enhanced Cabernet purity and structural depth. A true benchmark in Napa’s hillside Cabernets, age-worthy, expressive, and unmistakably Chappellet. Cheers!

Did You Know?
Pritchard Hill’s volcanic, iron-rich soils and elevation create Cabernets known for density, refinement, and remarkable longevity, which is why so many iconic Napa producers source or plant here.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
Among my personal favorites in the mountain Cabernet category. The 2022 delivers that unmistakable “whoa” moment, especially when shared with friends and family. — 2 days ago

Mark Osmers

9.1

Consistently excellent Bordeaux-style red blend
(Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc)
Fruit forward cherry, plum, blackberry, with a nice oakey finish
— a month ago

Andrea Watt

9.1

Light and fresh with citrus and kiwi over honeysuckle and cheese. — 2 months ago

Andrea Watt

9.6

Dark and rich with blueberry, cocoa, oak, and leather. — 2 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.7

Chappellet – Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2022.
Napa Valley AVA · Pritchard Hill · California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
The crown jewel of Chappellet’s portfolio and one of Napa Valley’s true mountain icons. Made in extremely limited quantities, this wine represents the pinnacle of the estate’s Bordeaux-inspired philosophy, an expression of power, elegance, and the profound identity of Pritchard Hill.
A masterful blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot, crafted with meticulous precision to honor Donn Chappellet’s original vision.

Aromas & Flavors
A captivating aromatic spectrum: liqueur-like blackcurrant, cassis, and ripe blackberry, followed by violet, cedar, and sweet oak. Layers of black tea, roasted coffee, graphite, cinnamon, and vanilla bean slowly emerge as it opens in the glass, revealing depth with each minute.

Mouthfeel
Monumental yet refined. Silky but tightly structured tannins frame a core of ultra-concentrated mountain fruit. The palate expands with flavors of black cherry, currant, cocoa powder, espresso, and subtle mineral tension. Long, resonant, and commanding.

Food Pairings
Best reserved for special meals, think: Dry-aged ribeye, Herb-crusted lamb rack, Wagyu with peppercorn sauce, Truffle risotto and/or Aged Gouda or Parmigiano Reggiano

Verdict
A breathtaking Cabernet Sauvignon at the highest echelon of Napa Valley winemaking. Dimension, finesse, and mountain precision all converge here. Every sip affirms its place among California’s elite. Worth every penny, and deserving of a distinguished spot in any serious cellar.

Did You Know?
Pritchard Hill is often called “The Rodeo Drive of Napa Cabernet” due to its ultra-prestigious hillside estates and intensely low-yielding vineyards. Chappellet was the very first to plant here, which is why they’re referred to as “The Pioneers of Pritchard Hill.”

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
A wine I proudly cellar myself. Massive yet graceful, a true mountain Cabernet that stops you in your tracks. This is the Chappellet bottle that leaves even seasoned tasters saying “whoa.” Cheers! — 2 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Chappellet – Grower Collection Chardonnay – 2023 🇺🇸
Sangiacomo Vineyard – Carneros AVA, Sonoma/Carneros, California, USA

Overview
A brilliant expression of Carneros Chardonnay, crafted by Phillip Corallo-Titus as part of Chappellet’s distinguished Grower Collection. Sourced from the famed Sangiacomo Vineyard, this bottling captures the cool-climate precision, natural richness, and textural beauty the region is known for.
A polished and impeccably layered Chardonnay, shaped by 70% malolactic fermentation and thoughtful French oak integration.

Aromas & Flavors
A captivating aromatic profile of orange zest, lemon custard, nectarine, honeydew melon, and tropical white flowers. Subtle notes of nutmeg, vanilla, and warm spice glide in from the oak, lending complexity without overshadowing the fruit.

Mouthfeel
Creamy yet vibrant , the best of both worlds.
Bright citrus, kiwi, guava, and fresh pineapple weave across a supple, mouth-filling palate. A fine line of acidity maintains tension and lift, while hints of brioche add depth on a long, elegant finish.

Food Pairings
Ideal with seared scallops, lemon-thyme roast chicken, creamy lobster pasta, crab cakes, mushroom risotto, or soft-ripened cheeses. A versatile food wine with both brightness and richness.

Verdict
A standout Chardonnay and one of the most compelling examples from Carneros and all of California. Balanced, complex, and beautifully sculpted, a Chardonnay that speaks with equal parts grace and power.

Did You Know?

Sangiacomo Vineyard is one of California’s most respected Chardonnay sites, farmed by a family with over 90 years of viticultural heritage. Their Carneros parcels consistently deliver fruit of remarkable precision and purity, a key reason top producers like Chappellet source from them.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
Undeniably one of my favorite Chardonnays across Sonoma, Napa, and beyond. Elegant, expressive, and impeccably crafted, the kind of wine that reminds you why Carneros Chardonnay remains iconic. Cheers! — 2 days ago

Andrea Watt

9.0

Black tea and cherry with a touch of smoke. — 2 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Chappellet – Cabernet Franc – 2022
Napa Valley AVA · Pritchard Hill · California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A refined Bordeaux-inspired blend anchored by 76% Cabernet Franc, supported by 17% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot. The vines, planted in 1989, thrive in the volcanic soils of Pritchard Hill, yielding concentrated fruit with remarkable aromatic lift. Aged 22 months in French oak (60% new), this wine shows both the elegance and mountain intensity that define Chappellet’s signature reds.

Aromas & Flavors
Beautifully expressive with cedar, graphite, sage, red currant, rose petal and a hint of sandalwood. As it opens, deeper tones of black cherry, anise, white pepper and subtle earthiness reveal themselves with grace.

Mouthfeel
Velvety and layered, with seamless tannins and a poised structure. The palate shows depth without heaviness, leading to a long, complex finish that carries dark fruit, spice and a gentle mineral echo.

Food Pairings
Perfect with herb-roasted poultry, pork tenderloin, mushroom dishes, grilled vegetables or aged semi-firm cheeses. Anything savory or herb-accented will meet this wine beautifully.

Verdict
Elegant, balanced and quietly powerful. This Cabernet Franc stands as one of Napa’s finest expressions of the grape, capturing both sophistication and mountain character.

Did You Know?
Cabernet Franc is one of the parents of Cabernet Sauvignon (crossed with Sauvignon Blanc), giving this wine a noble lineage and distinct personality on Pritchard Hill.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
A wine I reach for when I want tradition, depth and grace in one glass. This is the “big papa” of Cabernets, and sometimes the best pairing truly is myself. — 2 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Chappellet – Signature Chenin Blanc – 2024 🇺🇸
Pritchard Hill, Napa Valley AVA – California, USA

Overview
An exceptional and expressive Chenin Blanc from the iconic slopes of Pritchard Hill. Crafted by winemaker Phillip Corallo-Titus, this small-production white showcases the precision and elegance that Chappellet is known for.
Molly Chappellet’s signature featured on the label, along with the distinct bottle silhouette, reflects her refined aesthetic and the wine’s singular personality.

Aromas & Flavors
A vibrant aromatic spectrum: lemon, fresh pineapple, nectarine, and tropical white flowers. Subtle French-oak influence reveals whispers of nutmeg, vanilla, and lightly toasted spice without overshadowing the fruit purity.

Mouthfeel
Bright and lively with toned acidity that keeps the wine energetic. Layers of citrus, lychee, and stone fruit unfold across the palate, finishing with candied lemon zest, mineral lift, and a refreshing, persistent length.

Food Pairings
Perfect with grilled halibut, lemon-herb chicken, shrimp scampi, soft goat cheese, or spring vegetable risotto. Its acidity and texture make it incredibly versatile at the table.

Verdict
A stunning, beautifully composed Chenin Blanc that highlights Napa Valley’s ability to produce world-class whites beyond Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Elegant, complex, and irresistibly fresh, a wine that captivates from first aroma to final sip.

Did You Know?
Chenin Blanc was once widely planted in Napa Valley in the 1960s–70s. Chappellet is one of the rare estates preserving and elevating this noble Loire variety on premium hillside terroir.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
A uniquely compelling white that impressed me from the first whiff, polished, aromatic, and brimming with personality. One of the most memorable Chenin Blanc expressions coming out of California today. Cheers! — 2 days ago

Andrea Watt

9.2

Blueberry, sage, and cedar. Very deep and flavorful with fruit. — 2 months ago