Today we share one of the iconic Napa producers. Chappellet was founded by visionary 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.
A winemaker needing no introduction, 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 love the new wines especially the 2021 Chappelllet ‘Hideaway’ Red Wine (OB, 94) which is neatly textured and shows wonderful dark fruits from this stony location in the Napa Valley. Learn more about this famed Napa estate at chappellet.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Chappellet.
2021 Chappellet ‘Hideway’ Red Wine- The 2021 ‘Hideaway’ comes from the rocky slopes of this Pritchard Hill house. Dark raspberry and bing cherry flavors combine with stony soils and shades of creme de violette on the palate. With more air cocoa powder and tar notes enter the fray. Really good now, enjoy this dense and well-structured wine over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2034- 94
2021 Chappellet ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The really good 2021 Chappellet ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon offers medium to full-bodied blackberry and black tea flavors alongside good tension. Finishing long with plenty of minerals and stony undertones, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2023-2033- 92