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. — 7 months ago

Steve Mitchell

9.2

Medium tannins, full bodied, balanced Cabernet .Nutty , earthy paired with a prime rib.
— 4 years ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.4

Nice bbq chicken 🐓 bottle Wine Advocate review & rating 92 points, be released in 2015, the 2008 San Leonardo is a wine in its infancy. The nose is immediately redolent of dark cherry, blackberry, leather, tobacco, mint and eucalyptus leaf. You will also appreciate the floral tones of pressed rose and almond blossom that lift from the glass. The harvest schedule played out on time with Carmenère coming in at the end of September and Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon towards the beginning of October. The 2008 vintage is especially marked by a duality of floral and menthol notes that rise from the glass with brilliant intensity. The 2008 vintage needs ten year or more to find its proper footing. — 5 years ago

Randy Fuller

9.5

The 2017 Aatto has a medium-dark garnet color with a slight brownish tint. It pours up looking older than its four years. The nose carries a strongly perfumed floral note as its banner - lilacs and oleanders come to mind. Beneath that, dark fruit - currant, blackberry, plum - rise above the flowerbed. Sweet spice - vanilla and cinnamon - play a minor role. On the palate, it is a youthful show of the fruit that demands attention. Tannins are firm and finely honed, and the acidity provides a lip-smacking delight. This is a wine I would like to have with a pork chop or rosemary ham, but it could also handle beefy dishes. — 5 years ago

john dawson

10

Amazing wine — 6 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.0

Crunchtown! Sulphur-free pino that's bright and zippy. Perfect chilled and for a bojo lover like me. — 7 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Château Cantegril – Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle / 2019
AOC Barsac – Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A Grand Vin de Sauternes crafted by the Dubourdieu family in Barsac, this 2019 vintage blends the region’s classics: Sémillon dominant, Sauvignon Blanc, and a touch of Muscadelle. Botrytis cinerea (noble rot) weaves its magic here, concentrating sugars and intensifying aromas.

Aromas & Flavors
Lush notes of apricot, candied orange peel, and pineapple rise from the glass, layered with honey, acacia blossom, and a hint of saffron. The sweetness is deeply expressive but never cloying.

Mouthfeel
Silky and opulent, yet balanced by Barsac’s hallmark freshness and mineral tension. A luscious golden core with excellent length, pure heaven in a glass.

Food Pairings
Perfect with Roquefort, foie gras, or blue cheeses, but equally divine alongside fruit tarts, crème brûlée, or spicy Asian cuisine. For a daring contrast, try with fried chicken.

Verdict
2019 Château Cantegril is heaven on earth, an elegant and classic Barsac that shows the Dubourdieu family’s mastery. A wine that proves Sauternes and Barsac remain unmatched when it comes to liquid gold.

Did You Know?
Barsac AOC wines can legally be labeled either “Barsac” or “Sauternes.” Château Cantegril is often described as one of the “entry gates” to the Dubourdieu family’s sweet wine heritage, offering top quality at a more approachable level than their Château Doisy-Daëne.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight: This is one of those wines that makes you stop mid-sip and smile, it’s just that magical. — 8 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.4

2020 vintage. A blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and equal parts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Basile Tesseron has done a great job at this Cru Classé and this 2020 is the best I have ever tasted. Blackberries, cassis and flowers. Juicy and focused, with lots of charm in a solid ripe tannic structure. Lovely finish with retronasal black fruit and minerality.Abv. 13,5%. As the estate was bought by the Lorenzetti family (Pédesclaux) I expect the quality to rise further in the future, so this is definitely an estate to watch. — 4 years ago

Keith Crump

8.9

Substantial — 5 years ago

Pamela Taylor

9.0

Easy drinking Sauv Blanc — 5 years ago

Eric Guido

9.4

A more immediate expression of Les Quarts, the 2017 is jammed packed with fruit but oh so fresh. Masses of blackberry, garrigue, crushed stone and wood smoke rise up from the glass. It's silky and suave, displaying polished purple and blue berries, contrasted by sour citrus, with a note of sweet violet candies carried by juicy acids. While this doesn't have the depth of the best vintages, it's a pleasure-bomb of vibrant Grenache that maintains balanced throughout. #closducaillou #chateauneufdupape #grenache #rhonewine — 6 years ago

Anne Carman

9.3

Notes of plum, blackberry, cedar, deepened on the palate with rich full polished structure and elegantly balanced tannins. Both dark and vibrant at once. — 6 years ago

Mark Whitmore

9.1

Light fruity dry wine. Delicious. — 7 years ago

Lori Matuson

9.5

Excellent cab! Big and jammy — a year ago

Aaron

9.0

Delicious. Medium tannins, fading to oak. Opened this for a dinner party which was unfortunately cut short, leading to it lingering over the next few days. By day 3, tannins and acidity on the rise. Still, a remarkably good vintage. — a year ago

Severn G

9.4

Nose has ripe plum, cedar shavings, dried blackberry, over-ripe black cherry, crushed black currant, menthol syrup and dried violets.

Palate has dried black currant, moist soil, cedar shavings, moist cigar, ripe blackberry, dried black cherry, rose hip tea with light tannins.

A beautiful cork, almost no soak; pulled clean with a standard screw. This is really in the zone tonight after a 6H decant. Drink 2022-2028 from proper storage.

Paired to Allen Bros USDA Prime Hanger with Dijon/Rosemary/Garlic/Lemon Zest marinade. Grilled to great 130° centers, 10m rise/rest to absolute perfection.
(I was honestly fighting with two cats to eat dinner tonight.) — 4 years ago

Scott C

Founder / Co-director SR Wine imports

8.9

Such value ! Lemon , grapefruit , with good length — 5 years ago

Sean Grullon

9.2

Nice floral notes rise above a tar and earthy backbone with a cherry finish. An archetypal Barolo that’s showing nice now. — 6 years ago

Mary Panos

9.4

Delicious and easy to drink red. I get notes of cola and cherry. Paired very well with Neapolitan pizza — 6 years ago

Jason Huggins

9.4

I absolutely love this French Rise. Amazing fruit up front yet dry and stunning for a summer day. Love it!! — 6 years ago