Today we share one of the jewels of the Stags Leap District. Chimney Rock Winery dates all the way back to 1989. At the time the property was owned by 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. For years I have enjoyed visiting this scenic spot and the winery has a fantastic outdoors space for their guests.The talented Elizabeth Vianna has served as winemaker for many years. Vianna 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 elevated position of assistant winemaker at Chimney Rock in January 2002 and advanced to the position of winemaker in 2005. She knows this site exceedingly well.
I loved the new lineup which showcases the electric 2019 vintage. Don’t miss out on the beautiful red blend, the 2019 Chimney Rock ‘Elevage’ Red Wine (OB, 93) which is soft and smooth with great flavor range. I added the new 2019 Chimney Rock ‘Tomahawk Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) which is dense, heady and delicious to savor even now. Learn more about this famed estate at https://www.chimneyrock.com Here are the gorgeous new wines by Chimney Rock.
2021 Chimney Rock ‘Elevage Blanc’ White Wine- The 2021 ‘Elevage Blanc’ a sensational effort that is composed of mostly Sauvignon Gris comes off silky smooth on the mouth. Kiwi and pink grapefruit zest collide with shades of cantaloupe and nutty undercurrents on the palate. Very smooth throughout the drinking experience, with a lengthy finish, this beauty will age gracefully over the next decade to come. Drink 2023-2033- 93
2019 Chimney Rock ‘Elevage’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Elevage’ combines 40% Cabernet Sauvignon with 39% Merlot and smaller portions Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. It is wonderfully fresh and herbal from the 19% Petit Verdot. Dark chocolate shavings meld together with espresso grounds, scorched earth and granite notes on the palate. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2023-2038- 93
2019 Chimney Rock ‘Stags Leap District’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2019 ‘Stags Leap District’ combines 84% Cabernet Sauvignon with 13% Merlot and very small parts Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Inky in the glass, this exudes class with mocha, tar and pencil shavings alongside scorched earthy notes on the nose. The palate is smooth and viscous with great underlying tension and a soft texture. Finishing long with black fruits, coffee grounds and minerals, this is delicious Cabernet Sauvignon that will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2023-2038- 93
2019 Chimney Rock ‘Alpine Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2019 ‘Alpine Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a dense and polished wine that is built to age. Once on the nose this shows off dark rose petals alongside freshly tilled stony soils, cigar box and shades of anise. The palate is beautifully balanced and soft with great underlying finesse. Concentrated dark fruits parade with lavender, grilled venison and graphite notes on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2023-2040- 94
2019 Chimney Rock ‘Ganymede Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The decadent 2019 Chimney Rock ‘Ganymede Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a fantastic bottling by winemaker Elizabeth Vianna. Aromatically quite heady, this offers violets, tar and Turkish coffee accents on the bouquet. The palate is deep and concentrated, with a soft mouthfeel and beautiful sense of length, with stony and salty soil accents. Fantastic to enjoy in its hedonistic and fleshy youth, this beautiful wine will live on for at least another fifteen years to come. Drink 2023-2040- 95
2019 Chimney Rock ‘Clone 4’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The very heady 2019 Chimney Rock ‘Clone 4’ Cabernet Sauvignon offers rich huckleberry, dark currant and dark chocolate shaving flavors on the palate. Full-bodied with good underlying verve, this is a stunning new wine that has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2023-2040- 94
2019 Chimney Rock ‘Tomahawk Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The beautiful 2019 Chimney Rock ‘Tomahawk Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from this site that is located in the southern end of the estate. Aged for 18 months in roughly 70% new French oak, this delivers dark currants, allspice, espresso bean and shades of Black Forest Cake on the palate. Dense and decadent, with a great mineral edge, this beauty will live on for two decades to come. Drink 2023-2040- 95