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

Tom Garland

9.3

Happy fourth! Burgers and Realm tonight.

2.5 hour decant(decent chunky/fine sediment). A remarkable dark ruby red color. On the nose: blackberry, cassis, floral, vanilla chocolate, eucalyptus. Taste: smooth,plush, teeth staining wine with black cherry, sweet spice, graphite, slight tar, and a long chocolate espresso finish with just a touch of heat. — 2 years ago

with Brenda

Jim Wagonfeld

9.3

Had this wine 6+ years ago and the improvement has been remarkable. Now showing notes of dark cherry, plum, earth and spice. Tannins completely integrated with a supportive acid spine. Would not have predicted this evolution. Incredibly smooth and layered. — 3 years ago

with Judy

Jay Kline

9.7

Oh boy…is this real life? A DRC from back in the days when Lalou was involved in the process. Enjoyed out of the Baccarat DRC glass which is hilarious to behold but I’ll be damned if wasn’t a pretty effective glass. The 1988 Richebourg pours a deep ruby color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with heady notes of ripe and slightly desiccated red and black fruits: strawberry, spiced meat, red flowers, forest floor, and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long with lovely, savory minerals. There is so much density. Honestly, this still needs a ton of air. It’s remarkable how youthful it’s showing. Drink now with loads of patience and through 2038. Bottle No. 4044. — 10 months ago

Tom Garland

9.4

+2 hour decant(some chunky/fine sediment). A remarkable purplish dark garnet with a little bricking. On the nose: perfumed notes of dark fruit, eucalyptus, spice, herbaceous, floral, just a hint of funky earth. Taste: silky smooth, chalky, savory wine with dark cherry, cloves, pepper, leather, and a cedar-mineral medium plus finish. YUM! — 2 years ago

with Brenda

Tom Garland

9.4

1.5 hour decant(lot's of chunky/fine sediment). A remarkable dark purplish magenta color. On the nose: mellow notes of brambly dark plum, menthol, smoke, wet planting soil, herbaceous, boiled game meat. Taste: soft, velvety, creamy mouth coating wine with savory notes of earth, cocoa, cedar, espresso, fading plum, currants, baking spice and a lingering long finish. YUM! Seems to be hitting a slow decline so pop one if got em. — 3 years ago

with Brenda

Nathan Renfro

9.4

My last bottle of the 16 and quite different comments than previous bottles. Loaded with ripe dark cherry. Well balanced but the dark cherry is clearly primary. Tannins were perfectly softened. Medium plus finish. Very good wine but not as remarkable as the last bottle. — a year ago

Richard Portes

9.1

17+ another proof that Gamay can be very serious indeed. Remarkable nose, complex and expressive. Great fruit, of course, M+ length. Nice on back palate. Finish good, not exceptional. — 2 years ago

Tom Garland

9.3

Decant for sediment and pour(decent chunky/fine sediment). A remarkable dark purplish magenta with some bricking. On the nose: some plum, currants, herbaceous, baking spice, touch of tobacco and milk chocolate. Taste: creamy, balanced, savory wine with currants, tobacco, green bell pepper, spiced dark cherry, clove. YUM! — 2 years ago

with Brenda

Joe Weinberger

9.3

This is quite a wine—fruit is so pure it gives the impression of ripe sweetness. Some green elements that should integrate with time. I think this will be truly remarkable with some more time in the cellar. — 3 years ago