Today we share one of the famed houses in the Napa Valley founded by pioneer Donn Chappellet. Donn began his wine education by collecting Bordeaux wines while in college, and later ran Interstate United Corporation, a coffee-vending distributorship he co-founded in the mid-1950s, which he helped turn into the third-largest such business in the United States, with more than 7,000 employees and a listing on the New York Stock Exchange.
In 1966 he sold his shares in Interstate United and guided by the legendary winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff of Beaulieu Vineyards bought 320 acres of rocky mountain terrain at the eastern edge of the Napa Valley. Donn saw this terroir as one which would connect with the great wines of Bordeaux. He saw the potential for Pritchard Hill and initially planted Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon which was met with great critical acclaim. Sadly passing in 2016, Donn became a legend of this great site in the Napa Valley.
Winemaker Phillip Corallo-Titus has been at Chappellet remarkably since 1990. A graduate of UC Davis, Phillip spent time traveling to both Bordeaux and Burgundy to learn about these esteemed regions. In 1981, Phillip joined the Chappellet team as assistant winemaker, and then in1990, Donn Chappellet invited Phillip to return to the winery as Chappellet’s winemaker, a position he has held ever since. Phillip’s wines were simply outstanding across the board. I absolutely adored his new 2018 Chappellet ‘Dutton Ranch’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 93) showing great verve and elegance from this famous Sonoma outpost. I adored the new 2017 Chappellet ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Franc (WWB, 94) which is dense, showing a wonderful veil of tension and mouthfeel. This beautiful wine has another twenty years ahead of it. Learn more about this famed Napa estate at chappellet.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Chappellet.
2019 Chappellet ‘Signature’ Chenin Blanc- Sourced from Pritchard Hill, the ‘Signature’ Chenin Blanc shows a lovely mouthfeel and inviting texture. Bright melon tones mingle with citrus rind, kiwi and gooseberry on the palate. Enjoy in the short-term while the minerality stays intact. Drink 2020-2025- 90
2018 Chappellet ‘Dutton Ranch’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Dutton Ranch’ has been one of the great spots in Sonoma for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for several decades now. Salted red fruits mingle with minerals and shades of cola on the nose. The palate has bright acidity with a great sense of mouthfeel. Layers of black cherry and cola meld with damp earth and orange rind tones on the palate. Soft and elegant, with a silky mouthfeel, the 2018 ‘Dutton Ranch’ Pinot Noir by Chappellet will enjoy a long life in the cellar. Drink 2020-2033- 93
2017 Chappallet ‘Signature’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 ‘Signature’ Cabernet Sauvignon by Chappellet is a great blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon 10% Petit Verdot and 8% Malbec that was entirely sourced from their vineyards on Pritchard Hill.. Needing an hour in the decanter to fully evolve, the Cabernet Sauvignon slowly begins to unveil layers of tar, scorched earth and rich dark fruits that meld with tobacco leaf tones on the nose. The palate shows a great core of tension that collides with the dark currants, cigar box and mocha tones on the palate. Well-balanced and having a great sense of place, the 2017 Chappellet ‘Signature’ Cabernet Sauvignon will cellar well for decades to come. Drink 2020-2033- 92
2017 Chappellet ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Franc- The 2017 Chappellet ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Franc is a gorgeous effort from this vintage. Light herbal tones connect with milk chocolate, tobacco leaf and blackberry compote on this evocative nose. The palate is wonderfully plush, with layers of rich dark fruits and very light red bell pepper tones, with chocolate covered espresso bean marking its territory. This has great tension and length, as this beautiful Cabernet Franc wine will cellar well for decades to come. Drink 2020-2038- 94