
Well balanced and good mouthfeel. Nice light and gentle fruits for a light easy drinking wine with class — 9 months ago
2020 vintage. General manager Laure Canu states that Cantemerle has never followed trends and will always be a wine of elegance, never showy. And that is exactly what it is. After 15 minutes in the glass, it displays bright cassis fruit, mixed with flowers and cedar wood. Medium-bodied, fresh, and elegant, with more complexity and more refined tannins, compared to the 2018. Very good length too.This is the finest Cantemerle I have ever tasted. Incredible value too. Abv. 13,5 %. — 3 years ago
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. — 6 months ago
Dark rubi robe, nose of anise, blackcurrant, dark cherries and top soil notes. Very complex and balanced, ready to go but will last a long time. We had had from Magnum. Gotta be the best vintage we had recently. Among the finest values in Bordeaux red. — 4 years ago
Absolutely excellent. Such a treat at 55 years. At first a real medicinal note which blows away with a bit of time and air. Incredibly deep and dense with great pruney fruit. Excellent acid hanging in at this age and the finish is very long. Nice wine for a weekend of Thanksgiving related meals! — 6 months ago

2019 vintage. A blend of 47% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Special label to celebrate the 160th harvest by the Miailh family at Siran.This must be the finest Siran I have ever tasted. Textbook elegant Margaux with exemplary purity of fruit, complexity and velvety tannin. Long finish. Abv. 14%. — 4 years ago
Doug Powers
Lovely vintage Porto, dark fruits, solid balance, starting to show its age, long, lingering finish, only quibble is that this doesn’t show the characteristic sweeter style (thus my comment on its age, starting to dry out just a tad). — a day ago