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! — 15 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Pale to mid yellow in colour. The wine was a little cold to begin with. Aromas of talc and lime marmalade, dried flowers - a faint paraffin note - No Kerosene or petrol (TDN). A beautiful aged Riesling from the Clare Valley from Petaluma - a long time favourite producer of Riesling. With air and warming up, some yellow peach notes developing. I see HH said this benefits from decanting which I didn’t do. Drinking at its peak. Sadly my last 2012. — 2 years ago

Adam Baker

9.1

Drank with Thanksgiving dinner at Marks. Fruitier end of Oregon Pinot, but really good with the meal. Mark smoked the turkey after lathering it in mayo. A trick he learned from a local BBQ pit boss. First time the white meat has ever been better (juicy and tender) than the dark). — 18 hours ago

with Elissa

Laurie Whorley

9.6

Smooth- in Florida at the Ritz — 5 months ago

Patrick Loomis

9.4

Grippy tight and tannic at opening but softened into juicy plum and cranberry with graphite and soft tannins. Lovely. Drink now if you have any of the 96 left. — 7 months ago

Paul J

9.0

Dark red color. Seemed restrained and young. Dark fruit with medium depth. Reminded me a little of the single vineyard Sequoia Grove cabs but at a much better price point. — 3 years ago

with Brooke and Steve

Bob McDonald

9.4

See previous notes. An amazing 4 Trophies at Australian wine shows. I still have 4 bottles of the 2017 Reserve which should be excellent. — 4 months ago

Doug Powers

9.1

Some orange/brickish color on the edge, shows dark fruit aromas and flavors, plenty of balancing acidity, just the slightest bit of astringent tannin in the finish, mature but at peak, lovely aged Oregon Pinot Noir, kudos to Mark Vlossak!! — 5 months ago

with Jim

Doug Powers

9.0

[70% Shiraz, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon] Medium-dark ruby, faint bricking at edge, I mostly get the Cabernet, shows both its age and some heat (14.5% ABV), solid balance, medium-long finish, good Barossa Shiraz-Cab blend! — 9 months ago

with Jim

Andrew Stogran

8.9

Nice balanced, not as sweet as the label hints at. — 3 years ago