Freddy R. Troya

9.6

Chappellet – Signature Cabernet Sauvignon – 2022 🇺🇸
Pritchard Hill (Mountain Fruit) – Napa Valley AVA – California, USA

Overview
A cornerstone of Chappellet for over three decades, the Signature Cabernet Sauvignon continues to define what Napa Valley mountain Cabernet is all about: power, elegance, and longevity.
The 2022 vintage carries a subtly adjusted blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 7% Malbec, 2% Merlot, featuring a touch more Cabernet Sauvignon and slightly less Petit Verdot and Malbec compared to the 2021 (see my v2021 notes).
This shift gives the 2022 an extra dimension of muscle and purity, heightening its mountain-driven character.

Aromas & Flavors
Undeniably dark and expressive. Notes of blackcurrant, dark cherry, plum, and cassis rise first, followed by cedar, sage, aged tobacco, thyme, and beautifully integrated toasted oak.
As it opens, deeper nuances emerge, espresso bean, cocoa, graphite, and subtle mountain herbs.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and impeccably structured.
The increase in Cabernet Sauvignon amplifies its power and linearity, while polished tannins deliver a glowing richness across the palate.
Flavors of black cherry, currant, chocolate, espresso, and warm spice saturate the mid-palate. The finish is long, confident, and built for aging.

Food Pairings
Prime rib, grilled ribeye, lamb with rosemary, venison, black-truffle dishes, or aged gouda/cheddar.

Verdict
A formidable yet seductively elegant expression of Pritchard Hill. The 2022 is slightly more commanding than the 2021, with enhanced Cabernet purity and structural depth. A true benchmark in Napa’s hillside Cabernets, age-worthy, expressive, and unmistakably Chappellet. Cheers!

Did You Know?
Pritchard Hill’s volcanic, iron-rich soils and elevation create Cabernets known for density, refinement, and remarkable longevity, which is why so many iconic Napa producers source or plant here.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
Among my personal favorites in the mountain Cabernet category. The 2022 delivers that unmistakable “whoa” moment, especially when shared with friends and family. — 9 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.6

1996 vintage. Open but not decanted. Pretty serious sed. Tasted one hour after opening. A bit tight at that time, yet, the effort, quality and experience all up front and center. Still the best wine this property has ever made. Possibly 3-4 more years at this apex. A maggie would extend it to 5-8 years. Wow. Just wow. 8.2.24. — a year ago

Paul T HB

9.4

Still plenty of life left, but use the Durand
K&L notes as follows, it is better than their 2000! We have been following the property for the last five years and we think it is on a great track with their new releases, but try this 20+ yr old beauty. It is elegant and has a long, lingering finish. Smokey, toasty aromas, tons of cassis fruit on the palate. In a blind tasting at K&L (January 2019), one of our top Bordeaux staff thought it was a first growth Pauillac from the 80s. A steal at this price.
Drink from 2019 to 2022 — 4 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Caymus Vineyards – Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Napa Valley, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Special Selection is Caymus’ flagship bottling, the only wine to twice earn Wine Spectator’s “Wine of the Year.” The 2013 vintage comes from a benchmark Napa year—warm, consistent, and producing deeply concentrated fruit. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from prime valley-floor sites, this wine showcases the Caymus hallmark: bold, plush, and fruit-driven Napa opulence.

Aromas & Flavors
Opulent blackberries, cassis, and baked blueberries, wrapped in layers of cocoa, espresso, and toasted vanilla. Secondary notes of licorice, sweet tobacco, and graphite add depth. With time in the glass, hints of cedar and leather start to show, signaling the early stages of graceful evolution.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and richly textured, almost velvet-like, with powerful yet polished tannins. The 2013 vintage delivers intensity and weight, but with balance—long, lingering finish loaded with ripe dark fruit and spice.

Winemaking Notes
Meticulous cluster selection, long maceration for depth, and extended aging in new French oak barrels (18+ months). Chuck Wagner’s hallmark style: unapologetically ripe fruit, creamy oak integration, and a seamless, approachable structure even in youth.

Food Pairing
A natural match for grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, or herb-crusted lamb. For a more indulgent pairing, try it with aged Gouda or truffle-infused dishes.

Verdict
A monumental vintage of Caymus Special Selection—ripe, hedonistic, and still showing youthful vigor more than a decade later. Built for aging, yet already a crowd-pleaser. A benchmark expression of Napa Cabernet’s luxurious side.

Personal Pick Highlight
2013 stands out as one of Napa’s greatest modern vintages, and tasting it now is like catching Caymus in its prime sweet spot: power meeting polish. Cheers! — 2 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

The last of the 2002 in mags brought from the property. Delicious. I would have thought these would have been saved for their member parties. So, a nice surprise.

From The Cellar event at Pebble Beach Food & Wine. — 7 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Outstanding w/ 10 years in bottle. Honeysuckle, lemon, lime, stone fruit, crème, powdery minerals, beautiful acidity, white & yellow flowers, amazing structure, balance and finish for days.

Best Chardonnay since I had the 96 Gaja Chardonnay at the property out of magnum in 2015. — 2 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Pisano RPF Tannat 2021 🇺🇾
A bold statement from Uruguay’s signature grape.

Crafted from 100% Tannat, this wine is part of Pisano’s most prestigious line, with RPF meaning Reserva Personal de la Familia, originally held back for family use only. Aged for 10–12 months in French oak, this is a powerful, intense, and deeply expressive red that doesn’t hold back.

On the nose: Explosive aromas of black plum, blackberry, charred tobacco, leather, and a heavy dusting of dark spices.

On the palate: A dark-fruited cascade, plum, blackberry compote, and baking spices unfold with layers of earthy, savory depth. Expect firm, drying tannins (classic Tannat!) balanced by juicy fruit and oak integration. Give it time, as it needs a good decant to fully show its hand.

Mouthfeel: Dense, textured, with a long, flavorful finish that sticks with you.

Food pairing? A must. Think grilled meats, short ribs, or slow-cooked lamb.

A wine that commands attention and celebrates bold Latino character, pure power with soul.

Cheers! 🥂🔥 — 5 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

One of my favorite stops in Chile. Amazing property that Robert Mondavi had a hand in siting & starting. The view from the top of their mountain side beautifully overlooks their vineyard and the Andes Mountains.

This producer is meticulous in every step of product. If they are not certified bio-dynamic, they follow that practice.

94-96 with another 5-7 years of cellaring

50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Malbec, 17% Carmenere and 6% Petit Verdot, fermented mostly in stainless steel and 10% in oak foudre.

WS Grand Tour Las Vegas 2025. — 6 months ago

Jesse Shortt

10

My all time favorite and go to! — 2 years ago

Tom Garland

9.3

1 hour decant(decent fine/cloudy sediment). A remarkable dark purplish magenta color. On the nose: certain vintages really embrace the brett on the property, this is on the milder side. Notes of red plum, nutty vanilla, pine, funky wet earth, old leather, some cherry. Taste: smooth, delicate, silky wine with savory notes of cigar box, currants, wet dirt, peppery, little dark plum, cedar, slightly meaty. YUM! A very good vintage for Cain, a little more intensity could have increased the score even more. — 3 years ago

with Brenda