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. — 4 days ago

Ming L

9.3

My last bottle of this amazing 19’ Rose. Prior notes apply. — 2 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

Vintage 2013 | Cherries, reliable, true to type Tempranillo | with spaghetti bolognese — 4 years ago

John Malcolm

9.9

A stunning wine! Cedar, black currants, fig, dark chocolate, and truffles. Deep purple with a fabulous finish. — 3 months ago

Eric Urbani

9.1

This rose from Lodi is made from Mourvèdre Carignan Cinsault and Grenache- $22 — 3 months ago

Tom Garland

9.3

Happy New Year Delectable!

Double decant and pour. A splendid tawny red color. On the nose: dark fruit, cigar ash, cedar, smoked meat, pencil shavings, mint. Taste: soft, silky, elegant, still fresh wine with dark red fruit, worn leather, graphite, loamy soil, spiced herbs, minty black tea and a dry medium finish. YUM! What a fun wine to end 2024 with. A wine bought at auction, and a cork which was not in the best shape, so not sure if this is a true representation of where this wine is at.

FOOD:
Island creek oyster and cavier
Lobster butternut bisque
Pan roasted duck breast
Braised beef short rib
Black forest chocolate cake — a year ago

with Brenda

Mike R

9.7

WOTN - I was impressed - besides always being a crowd pleaser this wine always acts like the postman and always delivers

1 hour decant - was not planning to open but we drank the other bottles like thirsty sailors after 90 days on the boat - color has not changed - the smell has gotten even better - the finish was spot on and the taste was impeccable- remarkable- memorable- a true stunner - blue fruits dancing with black and reds fruits - tobacco cassis sweetness from caramel- tamed but striking how this baby keeps growing - drink now if you want but I will not try again for 5 years or more - this Napa cult classic will last 10 years plus and seems to find a way to get better - bravo — 5 years ago

Colleen Tomasello

9.0

Very dry but very smooth. Full bodied with a hint of berry. Very enjoyable — 3 months ago

with Mike

Doug Powers

9.7

From a really fine, structured Napa vintage, this shows dark fruits and mineral notes aromatically, still has loads of Dunn Howell Mountain structure and tannin, long, lingering finish, but the finish suggests that it needs 10-20 more years of aging, simply an incredible, old school (13% ABV) Napa mountain Cabernet with amazing length and freshness, a true WOW wine (if you’re moderately unoffended by the enormous structure still remaining)!!! — 6 months ago

with Jim

Norman

9.3

Really good as always. Had it at dessert which challenged it. — 3 years ago