Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Chapellet Mountain Cuvée Proprietor’s Blend 2023
Pritchard Hill, Napa Valley, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A vibrant Bordeaux-style blend from Chapellet, a pioneering family-owned estate high on Pritchard Hill since 1967. Known for its rocky, elevated vineyards and bold mountain-grown fruit, Chapellet crafts this approachable yet terroir-rich blend for both immediate enjoyment and graceful aging.

Blend Composition
• 51% Cabernet Sauvignon
• 24% Merlot
• 10% Petit Verdot
• 8% Malbec
• 7% Cabernet Franc 

Aromas & Flavors
Effusively aromatic with dark cherries, blackberries, and plums, framed by spicy oak notes of clove, cardamom, cedar, plus touches of black pepper and savory herbs. The palate mirrors this with plush ripe berry layers, framed by fine-grained tannins, and finishes with lingering dark chocolate and anise.  

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied with a luxuriously textured core. The fine-grained tannins wrap the fruit beautifully, balanced by inherent freshness—creating a long, silky, and satisfying finish.  

Winemaking Notes
Crafted under the guidance of Winemaker Phillip Corallo-Titus, the 2023 vintage benefitted from a cool growing season and carefully managed canopy work to preserve freshness and reduce yields. Fermented and aged to deliver immediate appeal without compromising structure. 

Food Pairing
A versatile pairing wine—ideal with grilled ribeye, slow-braised short ribs, or herbed lamb chops. It also complements rich pasta sauces and grilled mushrooms—luxurious yet approachable.

Verdict
Mountain Cuvée 2023 is a powerful yet elegant Napa blend, showcasing depth, freshness, and mountain intensity. It’s a beautifully balanced wine that offers a compelling mix of immediate pleasure and layered complexity. A benchmark for mountain-grown Bordeaux blends. — a month ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

My first of 6. Smells like a full bodied Pinot Noir. The palate is rich with a lovely fruit sweetness, cherry and plum, and again, a full bodied Pinot Noir with intensity. Ticks all the boxes. Texture and the tannins are silky. Enough acid and tannin to go another 8 to 10 years. 98 points from HH. Had a 2nd bottle 25 weeks later on 14th September with similar notes. Aromatic red cherries still with that lovely fruit sweetness. Seductive mouth feel. — 2 years ago

Randall Brater

9.1

Decanted 8 hours on day 1 thanks to @Jason Brater recommendation (sometimes I listen). Was quite delightful with ripe fruit and berries. On Day 2, was even better. Supple tannins and velvety smooth with hints of plum, berries and a little tobacco. Amazing price. — 4 years ago

David White

9.3

Deep ruby with lighter rim and lovely floral and spiced nose.
Tannins are silky smooth and well integrated.
Dark fruits on palate with balance of alcohol and acidity, AbV at 13% much lower than typical Oz Shiraz @14.5%
At 8 years this is likely at its optimal drinking age
Excellent Syrah from NZ. — 3 months ago

Vino Joe

9.4

Powerful wine. Lots of oomph here. It’s bold and heavy. But my personal dislike of Cab Franc is holding this review back. Ignore me. I rarely like any wine north of 10% Cab Franc. This was still good and it drank easily. But it lacked something to me to be truly exceptional. The fruit seems much more mature than 8 yrs. The color was quite dark. Nice perfume. — a year ago

Bryan Kesting

9.4

8-10 years treat these wines well. — 2 years ago

Scott E. Becker

9.1

[Tasted on October 11, 2024 at Home with Jay, Eric and Lillie]

Wine is Annabelle’s Block Pinot Noir from Klopp Ranch in Russian River Valley. Purchased wine at Donelan tasting organized by Ned and Beth on May 8, 2024. Tart black cherry, boysenberry and black currant fruit, with nice acidity, spice and a chalky note. — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

A whiff of high quality Syrah which goes without saying. More savoury than fruit driven and at 8 years, leathery. A trace of oak. Not near as fruity as high quality Australian Shiraz. Cornas - Earlier maturing than Hermitage on the opposite bank and to the north. — a year ago

Scott E. Becker

9.4

[Tasted on December 8, 2024 at Home with Tom, and again on January 25, 2025 at Home with Tom, Kathy, Mark and Lucille]

Joint venture of Hyde and de Villaine (Romanee Conti) families. Chardonnay from select blocks of Hyde Vineyard. Mango and pear fruit, with almond, brioche and nutmeg. Round and well balanced. Beautiful wine. Wine was ranked as #3 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 of 2022. — 2 years ago

Lesli Powers

9.4

Volume 8, drinking in early 2023. — 3 years ago