2018 Chappellet Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

For five decades, the Chappellet family has been crafting world-class wines from fruit cultivated on the steep, rocky slopes of Napa Valley’s renowned Pritchard Hill. As one of the first wineries to pioneer high-elevation hillside planting, and one of the few remaining great family-owned Napa Valley wineries, Chappellet Vineyard has influenced generations of vintners. Throughout its history, Chappellet has also established an enduring legacy as one of California’s most acclaimed producers of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Though focused on crafting limited quantities of benchmark Cabernet Sauvignon for five decades, the Chappellet portfolio also includes exceptional Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. While consistently setting the standard for mountain-grown wines, Chappellet has earned high praise from critics and a devoted following from many of the world’s premier collectors.

The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon has been Chappellet's flagship wine for more than three decades. It is a benchmark for the long-lived hillside wines of the Napa Valley; full of structure and aging potential, yet seductively forward in its concentrated varietal character. The dry, rocky soils of Pritchard Hill produce small, intensely flavorful grapes. Crop thinning allows for full, even ripening and elevates flavor complexity.

“Old-timers have long known that one of the most compelling, riveting, world-class Cabernet Sauvignons ever made in California was Chappellet’s 1969.” ~Wine Advocate

The turbulent growing seasons for upcoming Napa vintages, 2019 and 2020 have produced more questions than answers. The quality of these wines will be heavily scrutinized and reviewed under every critic's microscope. The time is ripe to stock up on quality vintages like 2015, 2016, and 2018. The opportunities to capture wines from previous years are limited. 

 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, and 5% Malbec. Rich, dark, and concentrated, this wine displays luxurious aromas of crème de cassis, plum, ripe berries, anise, and fresh herbs, as well as hints of vanilla, clove, dark chocolate, and sweet spices from aging in French oak. On the lush, layered palate, supple fine-grained tannins frame the dark berry and black plum flavors, with hints of cedar, espresso, and tobacco leaf adding sophistication to a long, voluptuous finish.

The 2018 Chappellet Signature Cabernet Sauvignon carries its Napa Valley banner well. This wine delivers attractive black fruit and oaky aromas and flavors that stay focused and long through the wine's finish. Pair it with a grilled, well-marbled ribeye ~94 Wilfred Wong

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Signature is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot and 5% Malbec. It was harvested from September 18 to October 30, and the alcohol weighed in at 14.5%. Deep garnet-purple in color, exuberant notes of warm plums, ripe black and red currants, and black cherries come bounding out of the glass with suggestions of cedar chest, unsmoked cigars, and beef drippings. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is simply singing with juicy black fruits and velvety tannins, finishing long with some baking spice hints coming through. Open for business now, this wine can easily be cellared for 20 years or more. ~93 Robert Parker

Lots of blackcurrant and blueberry with violet and boysenberry. Some chocolate, too. Full-bodied with lightly dusty tannins that give a special texture and beauty to the wine. Flavorful and intense at the finish. ~93 James Suckling

This larger production cuvée from this estate is always a winner, and the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Signature checks in as 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, and 5% Malbec. Beautiful crème de cassis, camphor, toasted spice, leather, and earthy tobacco notes all emerge from the glass, and this beauty is medium to full-bodied, supple, and seamless on the palate, with loads of up-front appeal. Drink it over the coming 10-12 years. ~92 Jeb Dunnuck

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