Today we share one the great producers of the Napa Valley. Founded by wine pioneer Donn Chappellet, Donn began his wine education by collecting Bordeaux wines while in college. He 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.
A mainstay in the cellar, famed 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.
These have been consistently great wines. I adored the new 2021 Chappellet ‘Grower Collection Apple Lane Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which is fresh and has tons of bright acidity and rich red fruit flavors. Even better is the sensational 2019 Chappellet ‘Napa Valley’ Merlot (OB, 95 which is a downright steal at eighty bucks. Learn more about this famed Napa estate at chappellet.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Chappellet.
2021 Chappellet ‘Grower Collection Apple Lane Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- This 2021 Pinot Noir is sourced from a site that is located roughly nine miles from the Pacific Ocean. Salty and savory on the nose, this shows tart red fruits alongside kumquat and stony undercurrents. The palate is rich and concentrated, with fantastic underlying finesse. This beauty has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2023-2035- 94
2019 Chappellet ‘Napa Valley’ Merlot- This enthralling ‘Napa Valley’ Merlot has 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot blended in. Aged for 22 months in 40% new French oak, this delivers wonderful concentration from this outstanding vintage. Layers of pipe tobacco and graphite are woven together with mocha, and dark chocolate covered black cherry on the palate. A stunner, with impeccable balance, and so good to enjoy now, this will surely live on for another fifteen years. We know that Cab is king but this beauty gives Cab a run for its money. Drink 2023-2040- 95
2019 Chappellet ‘Napa Valley’ Malbec- You won’t find a lot of single varietal Malbec wines from the Napa Valley. This has a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot blended in. Very dark in the glass, this displays a dizzying array of mocha, tar, anise, blackberry cobbler and creosote. Enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2023-2040- 93