Chappellet "Pritchard Hill" 2008, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - 750 ml

Chappellet

The Chappellets’ romance with Pritchard Hill started when Donn and Molly Chappellet first glimpsed its spectacular vistas. Perched 1,200 feet above the floor of the Napa Valley, the atmosphere at the Chappellet family's winery and Pritchard Hill estate vineyards is serene and peaceful. The Chappellet family has been crafting world class wines from their Pritchard Hill estate vineyards since 1967.  The Chappellets were the first to plant vineyards exclusively on high elevation hillsides.  The rugged terroir of Chappellet's vineyards produces wines with great intensity and depth, qualities that define the world's finest wines. For four decades Chappellet wines have received high praise from wine critics and have been sought after by the world's premier collectors. Today the six Chappellet children share their parents’ romance with Pritchard Hill's complex rocky soils and magnificent views. They are passionate about preserving the land by using sustainable farming techniques and continuing what their parents started: making extraordinary wines that express the distinctiveness of Pritchard Hill.

2008 Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

This limited-production Cabernet Sauvignon represents the pinnacle of Chappellet winemaking, and is a testament to 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 77% Cabernet Sauvignon with other classic Bordeaux varietals: Petit Verdot, Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The wine was aged for 20 months in 100 percent new French oak, and for an additional eight months in bottle prior to release. Grown exclusively on our rocky, mountainside vineyards, our Cabernets have consistently displayed an ability to age for several decades.

Notes by Winemaker Phillip Corallo-Titus: Deep, dark saturated colors seem to stain the glass. Floral notes of violets mingle with sweet blackberry, anise, and espresso aromas. Immediately the mouth is full with sweet berry and chocolate flavors that morph into a liqueur like veneer that coats the palate. The tannins are smooth and layered into the rich body of the wine. The wine has excellent structure and leaves a silky impression throughout the long finish. This wine is no aperitif, instead its substantial character and flavor deserve to be paired with roasted or grilled meats, or with rich cheeses to enjoy its highest purpose.