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. — a month ago

Carmen Ranta

9.3

Balanced in every way. I love it. — 2 years ago

John Bratincevic

8.9

Nose: cooking spices, peppers, dark berries.

Taste: nice acidity, peppers (dry, not sweet), savoury spices (I do get the paprika claimed on the label!), dark berries, beeswax. Not my preferred style but well made — and paired well with tacos! 89. — 2 months ago

Mary H

9.2

North-South plantings with less pruning against late-day sun (thinned on the South side). 30% whole cluster grapes. Spice, mushroom, pepper - added structure, tannin and savoriness compared to the Estate Pinot Noir. — 6 months ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.2

Gabriel ayala sosa jk flores mauro pc — a year ago

Jess

9.0

Medium-deep ruby color.
Aromas of baked raspberry/cherry, vanilla, roasted red bell pepper, cinnamon.
Dry. Flavors of black raspberry, licorice, cinnamon, clove. Medium-rich, velvety tannins.

Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 2/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 4/5 — 2 years ago

Ted

9.0

Solid. Blueberries with a touch of earth. — 5 months ago

with Jeni

Karen Tripson

9.1

Love love love — 5 months ago

Jessica Cansler

9.2

Not the right wine in app, but the label is right. Delightful and SO GOOD!! — 6 months ago

Daniel M

9.2

Opened yesterday, drank over 2 days.
The nose is very fruity and intense with dark cherry touches, earthy notes, some raspberry and blackberry scents too. I could even smell some peony notes too. This is really inviting. The palate is wide and long and quite complex. A good acid drive, some dark cherry notes all along, some very soft and easy going mouthfeel that is changing in mid palate with a great tannic wall, which adds a layer of dust over an otherwise quite juicy and fruity finish. In the back-end though, there is a tiny savoury note that pops along with a subtle bitterness. This is really my kind of cab franc. Really good stuff! — 2 years ago