We share the story of Donn Chappellet who 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.
He finally decided to sell his shares of Interstate United in 1966 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.
One of Napa’s great talents, 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.
I was truly enamored by the new 2021 Chappelllet ‘Pritchard Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 97) which is dense and nervy with great aging potential. Learn more about this famed Napa estate at chappellet.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Chappellet.
2023 Chappellet ‘Signature’ Chenin Blanc- One of the awesome sites for Chenin Blanc in California, vines from this high elevation site were planted back in the late 1980s. This is fresh and clean on the palate, offering orange blossom water, bright pear and kiwi flavors alongside a refined texture. Drink 2024-2030- 92
2021 Chappellet Cabernet Franc- This 2021 edition of this Pritchard Hill-based Cabernet Franc combines smaller portions Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and a dash of Petit Verdot. Stored for 22 months in 60% new French oak before bottling, this opens with a beautiful bouquet of violets, volcanic stones, and shades of creme de cassis on the nose. The palate is dense and chewy with serious texture and richness. Enjoy now and over the next twenty years to come. Drink 2024-2040- 95
2021 Chappellet ‘Pritchard Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 Chappellet ‘Pritchard Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon has 5% Petit Verdot blended in. Creme de violette, tar and pipe tobacco mark the nose alongside shades of Black Forest Cake. The palate is utterly fabulous in terms of tension, flavor density and texture. A joy to consume now, watch this beauty evolve over the next fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2024-2044- 97