Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Chapellet Mountain Cuvée Proprietor’s Blend 2023
Pritchard Hill, Napa Valley, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A vibrant Bordeaux-style blend from Chapellet, a pioneering family-owned estate high on Pritchard Hill since 1967. Known for its rocky, elevated vineyards and bold mountain-grown fruit, Chapellet crafts this approachable yet terroir-rich blend for both immediate enjoyment and graceful aging.

Blend Composition
• 51% Cabernet Sauvignon
• 24% Merlot
• 10% Petit Verdot
• 8% Malbec
• 7% Cabernet Franc 

Aromas & Flavors
Effusively aromatic with dark cherries, blackberries, and plums, framed by spicy oak notes of clove, cardamom, cedar, plus touches of black pepper and savory herbs. The palate mirrors this with plush ripe berry layers, framed by fine-grained tannins, and finishes with lingering dark chocolate and anise.  

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied with a luxuriously textured core. The fine-grained tannins wrap the fruit beautifully, balanced by inherent freshness—creating a long, silky, and satisfying finish.  

Winemaking Notes
Crafted under the guidance of Winemaker Phillip Corallo-Titus, the 2023 vintage benefitted from a cool growing season and carefully managed canopy work to preserve freshness and reduce yields. Fermented and aged to deliver immediate appeal without compromising structure. 

Food Pairing
A versatile pairing wine—ideal with grilled ribeye, slow-braised short ribs, or herbed lamb chops. It also complements rich pasta sauces and grilled mushrooms—luxurious yet approachable.

Verdict
Mountain Cuvée 2023 is a powerful yet elegant Napa blend, showcasing depth, freshness, and mountain intensity. It’s a beautifully balanced wine that offers a compelling mix of immediate pleasure and layered complexity. A benchmark for mountain-grown Bordeaux blends. — a month ago

Meghan Alyssa Rigney

9.3

Osteria Bottega — 9 years ago

Julie Bowerman

9.0

Yummy chianti at il corallo in Italy. — 10 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Sonoma-Loeb “Dutton Ranch” Pinot Noir 2021
Sonoma Coast, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Crafted by Phillip Corallo-Titus, who has been the guiding hand at Sonoma-Loeb since 1990, this 100% Pinot Noir captures Burgundian elegance while showcasing Sonoma’s coastal vibrancy. The Dutton Ranch site is a prized cool-climate vineyard, where fog and breezes create the perfect conditions for balance and finesse.

Aromas & Flavors
Ripe cherry, raspberry, and red currant lead the bouquet, layered with spice notes of anise, clove, and baking spice. A gentle touch of toasty oak and vanilla rounds out the fruit, adding warmth and texture without overwhelming.

Mouthfeel
Silky, polished, and seamless on the palate. Soft tannins and graceful structure allow the fruit to shine, striking an elegant balance between restraint and vibrancy.

Winemaking Notes
The 2021 vintage reflects Corallo-Titus’s vision: careful vineyard sourcing, traditional fermentation, and judicious oak use that enhances complexity without excess.

Food Pairing
Perfect alongside roast duck, mushroom risotto, cedar-plank salmon, or simply with a cheese board of triple-cream Brie and charcuterie.

Verdict
A thoughtful and layered Pinot Noir that proves Sonoma can deliver not just power, but grace and finesse. A bottle worth cellaring or savoring at the table—✨pure craftsmanship in a glass.
— 4 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

One nose, creamy, ruby, dark and mid fruits, big red florals, violets with distinct strawberries & raspberries rounded things out. The palate has creamy dark fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries & raspberries. Liquid violets, soft, dusty, big tannin structure, dry black earth, crushed dry rocks, leather, touch of cola, dry red florals, mint and touch of herbs. The finish is lean, dry, earthy with good acidity. Wine needs 10 years before I'd open a bottle. Photo tour of; Chappellet vineyard, tastings area, estate building and barrel room. Phillip Corallo-Titu is their Winemaker since 1990. — 8 years ago

Alessandro Rossi

9.3

2009 ! Un gran bel sangiovese di Romagna ! Bravi bravi !😃 — 12 years ago

Sean Herriott

9.0

If you've had the same winemaker for over 25 years he must be doing something right. Cheers to Phillip Corallo-Titus! — 8 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.1

I was first pitched this wine by a guy from Total Wine in Dallas. I think they were asking $30. Several months later, or today, I find it at a Costco for $16. It's the populist wine from Titus. And indeed, it's a crowd pleaser. This wine would get arrested for inciting a riot. My first thought was it beats Orin Swift at its own game. Titus Vineyards is comprised of Phillip Corallo-Titus and his brother Eric. Phillip is, most notably, the winemaker for Chappellet. — 8 years ago

Lori A James

9.2

Smooth and elegant aromas of dark chocolate and roasted nuts. — 10 years ago