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! — 9 days ago

Christina Ann

8.9

October 2022 Echelon Wine Bar club pick — 3 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.5

Whereas some 2010 White Burgundy (originally hailed as a top vintage) outside of the super upper echelon is overly advancing and dying to be drunk, 2010 PYCM Genevrieres has many years ahead. It needed a great deal of air before it could strut its stuff, but when it got there, that’s just what it did. A sufficient decant unleashes its core with killer yellow fruit intensity, white flowers, smoky minerals, hazelnuts and toasty oak. The palate becomes equally as intense with superb weight, a stunningly luxurious texture and a persistent and powerful finish. PYCM at its finest, but with an exceptional and lengthy future for 2010 Genevrieres. — 4 years ago

Thomas Asa Rollins

10

Bay Bridge has really entered the upper echelon of the California Valley vineyards with this one. The light notes combined with bold taste sends you on a journey back to the Chino Hills. There’s nothing I can say that trying this 2024 vintage can’t do 10 times better. Highly recommend!! — 8 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

See previous Delectable notes from 2021 and 2022. Always a class act from Tom Carson and in the top echelon of Pinots from Mornington Peninsula. A beautiful red fruited perfume with stewed fruits. A percentage of whole bunch in the ferment. Richness on the palate with depth. A well made wine from a good vintage. Lucky I have one left. Had the last one on 6/12/24. Not showing as well as previous tastings but still pretty good. Rich red fruits. I notice this won the Stodart Trophy at the Royal Queensland Wine Show for best Young Red of Show. — 2 years ago

Christina Ann

9.2

September 2022 Echelon Wine Bar club pick — 3 years ago

Johnno Harris

9.7

Very similar comments to the 2018. This is in the top echelon of Aussie Chardonnay. Just beautiful! 😍👌🏽👌🏽 — a year ago

Vino Joe

9.4

Refined but supple. I think this is great Pinot and I put it in a higher echelon. A more complicated mix of red fruits with structure. It has age especially in the length despite being 3 years. — 2 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

Drinking beautifully right now. Color does not show its 8 years of age. Initially, the nose is all about earth and beef jerky, but after an hour or so beautiful fruit (deep ripe blackberry and blackcurrant) takes over, with earthy minerals receding to the background. Also a sweet honey wheat bread note. Texture on the palate is gorgeous. Super-fine-grained tannins are resolved. There is an unusual sweet iron-like note in the initial part of the palate, with some fruit and ending on a sandstoney minerally theme. Upper echelon Crozes. — 3 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

Upper echelon Zin. Alc. kept reasonable at 14.5%. Nose has pure, perfectly ripe spicy blackberry, gravel, a whisp of high-toned smoke. Good ripeness in the mouth but balanced beautifully with surprising acids, which keep it buoyant. Tannins there but super-soft and just hanging out in the background. Reminiscent of the Zins of yore. — 4 years ago