Phoenix Rise

Penley Estate

Phoenix Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Surprisingly solid Cabernet for the money! — 24 days ago

Matthiasson

Phoenix Vineyard Chardonnay 2017

Paul J
9.4

Lovely gold color. Apples and minerality on the nose. Same on the palate with great depth. Medium plus finish. Nice fruit balanced with acidity. Very good! — a year ago

Brooke Weaver Jakubowski
with Brooke
Tom, Ron and 5 others liked this

Ferrari-Carano

Prevail Back Forty Rock Rise Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

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

Chappellet

Signature Donn Chappellet Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

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

Bob, Matt and 4 others liked this

Casanuova delle Cerbaie

Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 1999

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.)
— 3 years ago

Aravind, Dawn and 39 others liked this
Severn G

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😻😻
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

Elegant pairing!
Sharon B

Sharon B Influencer Badge

Yum! That steak looks delicious!

Matthiasson

Phoenix Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Nose:

Palate : tight. Cherries.

Needs 5 years.

11.9%
— 5 months ago

Hudson

Phoenix Red Blend 2018

Paul K
9.1

Merlot night! — 7 months ago

"Odedi", Ray and 13 others liked this

Château Lafon-Rochet

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2020

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. — 3 years ago

Stefan, Ruud and 9 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

Have enjoyed multiple vintages since 2016. Great QPR.

WBD And SA Brown Ltd

Muirlea Rise Martinborough Pinot Noir 2013

Substantial — 4 years ago

Severn, Rob and 15 others liked this