Set with a gorgeous backdrop of the mountains, Chimney Rock is a beautiful spot to taste their collection of fine wines. This estate began back in the 1980s when purchased a 180 acre property, complete with a golf course on the east side of the Silverado Trail. Since that time, Chimney Rock has become known for Cabernet, particularly their single vineyard bottlings. I was particularly impressed with the recent releases from the glorious 2012 vintage. Those ’12 releases are going to need some time in the bottle to be fully expressive. Give them a few years for their fruit structure to fully integrate. Some of the older bottlings showed very well, too. The 2009 Chimney Rock Cabernet was in full ripness with great fruit structure that is perfect for current consumption. Look for the range of Chimney Rock wines at Total Wines, as well as Wine World and Esquin in Seattle. Here is the full lineup of expressive Chimney Rock wines that I recently tried at the winery. #chimneyrock
2012 Chimney Rock Elevage Blanc- Weighing in at 14.2% alcohol, the grapes saw 6 months in Frnech oak (33% new, 33% used) and stainless (33%). This wine has been bottled for more than two years and it is showing beautifully. This is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (57%) and Sauvignon Gris (43%). There are aromas of pear and cut grass, as well as red delicious apple. The palate is smooth and viscous, as the wine offers a silky mouthfeel. There are flavors of ripe pear, star fruit and red delicious with vibrant minerality. Very serious Bordeaux style white wine. Drink 2015-2022. -93
2011 Chimney Rock Merlot-This is a limited release wine that is not typically made. It is current a reticent wine that opens with aromas of red bell pepper, dill and black cherry. Palate has nice richness and has a velvety and smooth mouthfeel but needs a ton of time. There are flavors of red cherry, anise and red bell pepper that persist with a long finish. This mineral driven wine would be a shame to enjoy now, as the fruit hasn’t fully integrated. I anticipate a long life for this one. Drink 2018-2028. -91
2011 Chimney Rock Elevage- This herbaceous style red was bottled in June 2013 and saw 18 months in new French oak prior to bottling. It is comprised of 55% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot. The wine opens with ripe aromas of red bell pepper with nutmeg and red cherry on the perfumed nose. Palate has vibrant minerality that is indicative of this cold vintage red. Red cherry, red bell pepper, green olive and blackberry mark this delicious wine. Needs a ton of time in the bottle to fully integrate, but this will drink nicely in two plus years. Drink 2018-2035. -92
2010 Chimney Rock Elevage- This wine has had more than three years in the bottle. This is a blend of 56% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon 6% Petit Verdot and 6% Cabernet Franc. Currently more expressive than its ’11 older brother, the wine opens with aromas of crushed rock, cassis and blackberry on the nose. This leads to a rich mouthfeel and viscosity. There are persistent flavors of graphite, creme de cassis and blackberry. Nice depth, indicative of this great vintage. Drink 2016-2030. -92
2006 Chimney Rock Cabernet-This is a library release wine that is showing beautifully at this time. Stewed prune and red cherry on the nose. Palate has milk chocolate, black cherry, blackberry jam and minerals. Striking minerality considering its age. Drink 2015-2020. -92
2009 Chimney Rock Cabernet-This wine was sourced from Stags Leap District fruit and is a blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot. It saw 18 months in French oak (50% new). This wine opens with a herbaceous nose with red bell pepper and anise. Palate has anise, blackberry and mocha. There are still some moderate tannins, which leads to nice richness and texture. Drink 2017-2028. -92
2009 Chimney Rock Young Vines Cabernet- This expressive wine explodes in the glass with ripe aromas of black cherry, blackberry jam and tar. The palate is viscous and full bodied. This approachable wine has flavors of blackberry, black cherry and creme de cassis. Delicious and hard to resist right now. Drink 2015-2028 -92
2010 Chimney Rock Cabernet- Bottled in July 2012, this saw 18 months in French oak (50% new) and is from Stags Leap District fruit. This wine currently has massive potential. It has a dense nose with prune and blackberry. There are persistent and rich flavors of blackberry, dill, red bell pepper and striking minerality. This impressive effort will cellar well for 20 years. Drink 2018-2030. -93
2011 Chimney Rock Cabernet- This wine is more reticent than its vintage neighbors and is more indicative of the colder vintage. There is a herbaceous nose with green olive, blackberry and dill. Palate has flavors of green olive, anise, creme de cassis with strong minerality. Shut down and needs a ton of time for the fruit to fully integrate. This is a nice effort considering the vintage. Drink 2018-2030. -91
2012 Chimney Rock Cabernet- This masculine wine saw 18 months of French oak (50% new) before being bottled in June 2014. The wine explodes in the glass with nice flavors of blackberry and anise. This has a wonderful velvety texture, similar to the ’10 Cabernet. There are rich flavors of blackberry, creme de cassis and black olive. While the fruit is still somewhat shut down, there is a ton of potential with this one for the patient wine drinker. Drink 2020-2035 -93
2011 Chimney Rock ‘Ganymede Vineyard’ Cabernet- This is an exceptional effort from a cold vintage, as these guys have nailed this one. The wine begins with an herbal nose with red bell pepper, blackberry and red currant. Nice silky texture with vibrant mineral backbone. Palate has blackberry, black tea, black olive and mocha flavors. Don't touch until 2018. Drink 2018-2035. -92
2012 Chimney Rock ‘Arrowhead Vineyard’ Cabernet- This rich wine opens with aromas of cassis, blackberry and milk chocolate. There is a dense and lovely mouthfeel on the palate. Flavors of black tea, creme de cassis and blackberry preserves with mouth-watering acidity. Rich and dense wine that will need time. Drink 2018-2035. -93