Chappellet Pritchard Hill - Napa Valley 2018

Chappellet Pritchard Hill - Napa Valley 2018

The Wine
The most sought-after wine in our portfolio, this limited-production Cabernet Sauvignon represents the pinnacle of Chappellet winemaking and embodies the elegant power and complexity of Pritchard Hill winegrowing. Like the great
Bordeaux wines that first inspired Donn Chappellet, this wine is crafted by blending Cabernet Sauvignon with other classic Bordeaux varietals. The wine was aged for 22 months in 100 percent new French oak. Grown on our rocky,
mountainside vineyard, our Cabernets have consistently displayed an ability to age for several decades.
Growing Season & Harvest
The 2018 vintage delivered ideal growing conditions that were reminiscent of the exceptional 2012 and 2016 vintages. Perfectly timed spring rains saturated the soils, and were followed by moderate weather, with almost no days of heat above 100° F throughout the summer. Because the phenomenal growing conditions yielded a larger-than-average crop, we did as many as three to four thinning passes between June and August, aggressively dropping fruit to fine-tune the crop load. The temperate conditions continued late into the season, providing abundant hangtime, and ensuring ideal flavor development and the retention of excellent natural acidity. As a result, our 2018 wines offer beautiful color, concentration and weight, with lovely varietal purity.
Tasting Notes
Embodying the essence of great mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, and the majestic terroir or Pritchard Hill, this wine displays epic depth and complexity. Pure, intense aromas of blackberry, cassis, perfumed violets, graphite and
macerated berry skins leap from the glass, followed by layers of anise, vanilla, clove and dark chocolate. The luxurious berry and spice notes continue on the palate, where polished, mouth-filling tannins and a powerful structure add
depth and gravitas to the deep, rich flavors, carrying the wine to a resonating dark berry and mocha finish.