Chappellet Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon has been our flagship wine for more than three decades. It is a benchmark for the long-lived hillside wines of the Napa Valley; full of structure and aging potential, yet seductively forward in its concentrated varietal character. The dry, rocky soils of Pritchard Hill produce small, intensely flavorful grapes. Crop thinning allows for full, even ripening, and elevates flavor complexity.
Winemaker Notes
Rich, dark and concentrated, this wine displays luxurious aromas of crème de cassis, plum, ripe berries, anise and fresh herbs, as well as hints of vanilla, clove, dark chocolate and sweet spices from aging in French oak. On the lush, layered palate, supple fine-grained tannins frame the dark berry and black plum flavors, with hints of cedar, espresso and tobacco leaf adding sophistication to a long, voluptuous finish.
The 2018 vintage delivered ideal growing conditions that were reminiscent of the exceptional 2012 and 2016 vintages. Perfectly timed spring rains saturated the soils, and were followed by moderate weather, with almost no days of
heat above 100° F throughout summer. Because the phenomenal growing conditions yielded a larger-than-average crop, we did as many as three to four thinning passes between June and August, aggressively dropping fruit to fine- tune the crop load. The temperate conditions continued late into the season, providing abundant hangtime, and ensuring ideal flavor development and the retention of excellent natural acidity. As a result, our 2018 wines offer beautiful color, concentration and weight, with lovely varietal purity.
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Varietal Composition | 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 5% Malbec |
| Appellation | Napa Valley, St. Helena |
| Acid | .59 g/100 |
| PH | 3.79 |
| Alcohol | 14.50% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Country of Origin | UNITED STATES |
