Chimney Rock

A longtime famed producer of rich and terroir-driven Cabernet Sauvignon, Chimney Rock is the focus for today and their outstanding new wines mostly from the 2016 and 2017 vintages. The first bottles of wine produced at Chimney Rock Winery were bottled in 1989. It was then owned by Hack and Stella Wilson who purchased a 180-acre parcel on the east side of the Silverado Trail in 1980 (which included a golf course!) and planted a vineyard shortly thereafter.

The hillside setting makes for a dramatic location. I have long enjoyed visiting this winery and they have an expansive outdoor area as well for their guests. At the helm is the talented Elizabeth Vianna who I was honored to share a panel with roughly one year ago. Elizabeth first came to Chimney Rock as a harvest intern in 1999, while completing her Master’s degree in enology at U.C. Davis. Upon graduation, she became an enologist at Napa Wine Company and was soon named assistant winemaker there, where she worked directly with many of the region’s top winemakers including Heidi Barrett, Erin Green, Pam Starr, and Celia Masyczek. Elizabeth was named to the position of assistant winemaker at Chimney Rock in January 2002 and advanced to the position of winemaker in 2005. Needless to say, she knows this special terroir exceedingly well. Look to their beautiful new 2017 Chimney Rock ‘Elevage’ Red Wine (WWB, 92) which has soft character of Merlot (73%) but also the dark tones from the terroir-driven Cabernet Sauvignon. I absolutely love the 2016 Chimney Rock ‘South Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 94)  which is dense, viscous and a downright treat to savor. Learn more about this famed estate at https://www.chimneyrock.com Here are the gorgeous new wines by Chimney Rock. 

2017 Chimney Rock ‘Elevage’ Red Wine- A blend of mainly Merlot (73%) with smaller portions Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot, the 2017 ‘Elevage’ was aged for eighteen months in 100% new French oak prior to bottling. Pretty red cherry aromatics connect with shades of cocoa powder and tar that all take shape in the glass. The mouthfeel and silky texture of the wine is truly outstanding. Layers of espresso bean and creosote connect with the bright red fruits and minerals that keep this wine shiningly brightly. The long dark fruit and mineral-driven finish lingers. Drink 2020-2035- 92

2017 Chimney Rock ‘Stags Leap District’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Deeply colored in the glass, the ‘Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon opens with tar and potpourri that mingle with blackberry cobbler and pipe tobacco tones that all take shape in the glass. The palate has good freshness and richness with layers of black fruits woven together with mocha, anise and sandalwood tones. Enjoy this beautiful wine over the next ten plus years. Drink 2020-2030- 92

2016 Chimney Rock ‘Clone 7’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The ‘Clone 7 Vineyard’ is one of two different mountainside vineyards, aptly named as ‘Cardiac Hill’ for its steep slopes. Deeply perfumed, the wine yields bright violets that mingle with suggestions of creosote, baking spices and blackberry cobbler aromatics that take shape in the glass. The palate has a soft texture, delivering layers of black fruits that mingle with the tar, scorched earth and underbrush tones on the palate. The terroir here is seriously good, as is the length and viscosity. A pleasure to enjoy in its youth, this beautiful wine will cellar well for decades to come. Drink 2022-2040- 93

2016 Chimney Rock ‘South Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2016 ‘South HIll’ Cabernet Sauvignon is another beautiful new bottling by Elizabeth Vianna. The wine is sourced from a twenty year old block that is planted to clone 337. On the nose this is dense and highly performed, delivering layers of Turkish coffee, Asian spices and black fruits that are woven together with the damp loam tones on the nose. The palate is rich and viscous, with a sensational mouthfeel and wonderful feel of acidity. Layers of Black Forest Cake, tar, mocha and anise all come together magically on the palate. Decadent and plush, showing a vibrant minerality, the ‘South Hill’ will have a long life ahead of it. Drink 2022-2040- 94

2016 Chimney Rock ‘Ganymede Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2016 ‘Ganymeded Vineyard’ has a massive, deep core, unveiling layers of red bell pepper, volcanic ash, mocha and tar that all take shape in the glass. The palate is dense and shows a plush mouthfeel, with a silky texture. Blackberries and black cherry flavors combine with shades of creosote and flinty undertones on the palate. This finishes long with dark chocolate and minerals. Drink 2022-2040- 93

2016 Chimney Rock ‘Alpine Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Set on volcanic soils, the ‘Alpine Vineyard’ is the highest elevation vineyard at the Chimney Rock estate. On the nose this takes on layers of volcanic earth and tar, mingling with mocha, blackberry cordial and shades of menthol that all take their shape in the glass. The palate has good freshness and verve, with a soft mouthful and beautiful texture. Violets and layers of black currants collide with minerals, blackberry cobbler and shades of dark chocolate shavings on the palate. Seriously good in its youth, the 2016 ‘Alpine Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon will cellar well for decades to come. Drink 2022-2040- 93