Did not live up to the hype imo — 4 months ago
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. — 6 months ago
1982 vintage. Last tasted 6.1.24 (9.4) and nearly 9 years ago (9.0). Courtesy of Monsieur @Bill Bender. Sweet fill. Opened with a Durand. Cork 95% saturated. A little reticent in the early going and decanted a third of the bottle to see if that would pull the juice out of a sullen funk. It did, so the remainder got decanted whilst throwing much less sed than expected. Medium body still. Slightly brickish and plenty fleshy with well-integrated complexity. Very pleasant and lingering finish. A great bottle with more than could reasonably be expected at this juncture. Thank you, Bill! 4.24.26. — 18 days ago



A fantastic tempranillo that is the perfect blend of fruit forward with a smooth transition to a nice earthy finish. — a year ago
Tasted twice! Blend of 71% Cab Sauv, 8% Cab Franc, 9% Petit Verdot, 11% Merlot & 1% Malbec, deep Ruby with aromas of ripe berry fruits, tobacco, herbs and licorice. On the palate black cherry, raspberry and blackberry flavors with espresso, mocha, oak and earthy tobacco notes. Well balanced, great mouthfeel, medium acidity, fine ripe silky tannins, long finish ending with fruit, cedar and toasty spice! Very Nice! Will age well for another decade! — 4 years ago
Excellent wine! Had it with tapas and it was a match made in heaven. Cherry notes, medium body and well rounded. — 2 months ago
Fantastic! — 5 months ago
Crisp and refreshing, does its job — a year ago
This is as classic as Napa Can can be - deep Ruby even at 9 years of age, wonderfully developed nose of cassis, red currant, violet, blackberry, wild raspberry, cedar, cigar box and wet stone, dried rose petal and cedar. Beautiful balance between the fruit, the silky, elegant tannins, crisp acidity and alcohol (15.2%). Very long finish and very much full of life - it has another 10 years of life. Voluptuous without being too ripe or overly extracted. Masterful — 3 years ago
Hiroshi Tominaga
American cherry. Bought at JAL Mall for ¥9,900. — a month ago