Freddy R. Troya

9.7

Chappellet – Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2022.
Napa Valley AVA · Pritchard Hill · California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
The crown jewel of Chappellet’s portfolio and one of Napa Valley’s true mountain icons. Made in extremely limited quantities, this wine represents the pinnacle of the estate’s Bordeaux-inspired philosophy, an expression of power, elegance, and the profound identity of Pritchard Hill.
A masterful blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot, crafted with meticulous precision to honor Donn Chappellet’s original vision.

Aromas & Flavors
A captivating aromatic spectrum: liqueur-like blackcurrant, cassis, and ripe blackberry, followed by violet, cedar, and sweet oak. Layers of black tea, roasted coffee, graphite, cinnamon, and vanilla bean slowly emerge as it opens in the glass, revealing depth with each minute.

Mouthfeel
Monumental yet refined. Silky but tightly structured tannins frame a core of ultra-concentrated mountain fruit. The palate expands with flavors of black cherry, currant, cocoa powder, espresso, and subtle mineral tension. Long, resonant, and commanding.

Food Pairings
Best reserved for special meals, think: Dry-aged ribeye, Herb-crusted lamb rack, Wagyu with peppercorn sauce, Truffle risotto and/or Aged Gouda or Parmigiano Reggiano

Verdict
A breathtaking Cabernet Sauvignon at the highest echelon of Napa Valley winemaking. Dimension, finesse, and mountain precision all converge here. Every sip affirms its place among California’s elite. Worth every penny, and deserving of a distinguished spot in any serious cellar.

Did You Know?
Pritchard Hill is often called “The Rodeo Drive of Napa Cabernet” due to its ultra-prestigious hillside estates and intensely low-yielding vineyards. Chappellet was the very first to plant here, which is why they’re referred to as “The Pioneers of Pritchard Hill.”

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
A wine I proudly cellar myself. Massive yet graceful, a true mountain Cabernet that stops you in your tracks. This is the Chappellet bottle that leaves even seasoned tasters saying “whoa.” Cheers! — 2 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

A voluptuous Pinot Noir. Aromatic red fruits - cherry and strawberry. Love these Pinots from the Huon Valley and Home Hill in particular. Possibly the most southerly vineyard in Australia. — 3 years ago

Colin Cahoon

8.9

Super tart. Cranberry, underripe cherry, underripe strawberry, and fresh raspberry. Medium bodied, low tannin, medium alcohol, high acid, and a long finish. Definitely a clean expression of the grape, but I’d prefer a little more post-fermentation aging and maybe a bit more oak barrel exposure. In any event, this 2019 is too young to drink. Give it a couple more years in the bottle. — 3 years ago

with Susan

Mark Osmers

9.2

Wine Spectator rated the ‘21 with an impressive 93 points and this Merlot was featured as #25 on the Top 100 wines of 2024.

flavor notes include blackberry, dark, cherry cedar, and that earthy Napa finish

I recommend this read to anyone who can find the 2021 vintage. Perhaps other years too. — 2 months ago

Marc Melser

9.3

A real good PN. Black cherry, cinnamon and a full mouth feel. Still lookin good this far out. — 6 months ago

Steven Beishuizen

9.4

2007 vintage. Tasting 17+ years later... On the nose, this is blackberry syrup and black cherry flesh... On the palate, there is an acidic wispiness of cherry much like the kirschiness of cherry pits soaked in vodka... A big body here though as this plays above a powerful leatheriness that extends well through the long finish. Tannins still have something to say. Grippy. I haven't had this vintage in a few years and it will be interesting to see whether the amazing-in-youth '08 also carries this well into its elder years. This '07 was a very nice treat so many years on. — 8 months ago

with Anita

garry post

9.2

Excellent 2015 Oppenlander vineyard Pinot Noir. Smooth, aromatic, rich, lively, black cherry, Plum, bright acidity, light leather and earth notes. — 3 years ago

Andrea Watt

9.0

Cherry, vanilla, and plum. Fruity but still good structure. — 3 months ago

with Becky

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

At one time, this area was know as a moonshiner site, subsequently planted by Charlie Chenoweth with Pinot Noir. Medium Ruby color with aromas of dark berry fruits with notes of herbs, citrus, herb and spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry, ripe strawberry and cherry, espresso, vanilla and herb tea spice, well balanced with acidity. Fine tannins on a long finish ending with cedar, baking spices and earthy character. Very nice! — 4 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.6

Located halfway up the hill dominating principal valley of Barolo, lined by vineyards, lies a precious 15th century Abbey of Annunziata. Medium Ruby with complex aromas of berry fruits, oak and fresh floral scents. On the palate dried tart cherry, tobacco, licorice, espresso and fresh herbs give this full-body wine grace and elegance. Soft fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit and earthy notes, well balanced, has have room to run over the next decade. Very Nice! — 8 months ago