Today we share the beautiful wines of Chappellet. It all began with Donn Chappellet who his collected 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.
Over time he shared 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.
An amazing 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.
I was blown away with the 2022 Chappelllet ‘Pritchard Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 97) which is a marvelous effort from this tough vintage. Learn more about this famed Napa estate at chappellet.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Chappellet.
2022 Chappellet ‘Pritchard Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 ‘Pritchard Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon has 6% Petit Verdot blended in. Stored for 22 months in all new French oak this offers alluring black florals and Black Forest cake tones on the nose with rocky soils and shades of sweet pipe tobacco. As fragrant as the wine comes off, it exudes class with depth and poise from this exceedingly hot vintage. Heady black and blue fruits parade with shades of creme de violette and creosote on the palate. Very complex and delicious, give this a year or two for tannins to mellow. Drink 2026-2042- 97
2023 Chappellet ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 Chappellet ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a dense and delicious bottling that is drinking marvelously now. Wet gravel and tar notes combine with shades of black licorice on the palate. Medium to full-bodied, with a silky mouthfeel, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 94
2023 Chappellet ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Franc- Stored for 22 months in mainly new French oak (60%), the 2023 Chappellet ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Franc shows off sandalwood notes on the nose with dried herbs, yellow bell pepper and cassis notes. The palate is lush and mineral-laden with great rocky soil character. This beauty is going to cellar really well. Drink 2026-2042- 95