Chappellet, Pritchard Hill - Napa Valley 2022
Chappellet It is no exaggeration to say that Chappellet has made history in Napa Valley. Considered one of the pioneers, Chappellet was the second winery established after the repeal of Prohibition and became the 18th registered member of the Napa Valley Vintners. Family-owned for over 50 years, Chappellet is recognized as one of Napa Valley's most historic estates. Today, the second generation is committed to continuing the vision of their parents, Donn and Molly Chappellet. Chappellet Pritchard Hill is a limited-production Cabernet Sauvignon that embodies the elegance, power, and complexity of Pritchard Hill wines. Inspired by the great wines of Bordeaux, it is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varietals, aged for 22 months in new French oak barrels.
The 2022 Vintage
The video of the vintage: https://youtu.be/mxley7KAgyE
2022 began with generous winter rains that filled our reservoirs and saturated our soils. A cool dry spring was followed by ideal summer weather with no days above 100°F until a significant heat event beginning near Labor Day. Thanksfully, with extensive irrigation and careful canopy management to protect the fruit from the sun, we were able to respond to the heat on a block-by-block basis.
Tasting Notes:
With captivating complexity and deep and resonant aromas, this stunning wine embodies the essence of the very finest mountain fruit from Pritchard Hill, offering an impressive display of fragrant liqueur-like aromas of black currant, cassis and ripe blackberry. As it gracefully unfurls, notes of violet, sweet oak, cedar and black tea emerge, as well as hints of roasted coffee, graphite, cinnamon stick and vanilla bean. On the weighty palate it is pure and concentrated with polished, mouthcoating tannin framing luxurious layers of berry compote, dark chocolate, anise, wood smoke and sage as they flow to a long, radiant finish.