2020 Chappellet Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Tasting Notes
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 varietal character. The dry, rocky soils of Pritchard Hill produce small, intensely flavorful grapes. Crop thinning allows for full, even ripening and further elevates flavor complexity.
Luxuriously dark and concentrated, this wine displays alluring aromas of black cherry, dark plum, roasted coffee and bittersweet chocolate, as well as notes of clove, fresh herbs and baking spices. On the palate, it is beautifully lush and layered, with bright, underlying energy and a robust mountain structure that frames generous flavors of boysenberry and cassis, with hints of violet, anise, cinnamon and sweet oak emerging throughout a long, dramatic finish.
Growing Season & Harvest
The 2020 growing season began with a very dry winter, and while we benefitted from enough early spring rain to properly saturate the soils, the overall lack of precipitation limited canopy growth and led to an ideal fruit set with small clusters of highly concentrated berries. Summer brought temperate weather with no significant heat events, ensuring that the grapes were able to ripen slowly and uniformly. As a result, our wines from the 2020 vintage are vibrant and complex, with impeccable structures, alluring aromas and pure, focused varietal flavors.
Specs
Varietal Blend: 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot
Appellation: Napa Valley
Harvested: September 14 through September 26, 2020
Bottled: June 2022
25.0 - 28.0 Brix at Harvest
Alcohol: 14.7%
TA: .59 g/100ml
pH: 3.63
Winemaker: Phillip Corallo-Titus
What’s Included
2-bottles:
2x - 2020 Chappellet Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Case:
12x - 2020 Chappellet Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Chappellet is recognized as one of the great Napa Valley wineries, and one of the few which remains family owned. Today, the second generation is committed to continuing the vision of their parents, Donn and Molly Chappellet. Together, the siblings are dedicated to maintaining sustainable farming techniques, a relentless focus on wine quality, respect for Pritchard Hill’s natural beauty and the preservation of family ownership for generations to come.
Available States
AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
2020 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon
The bottle arrived this afternoon, so it didn’t get a chance to rest from its cross country shenanigans. Normally I try to get others to taste with me, but sadly no one was available - so just my thoughts today!
Upon PNP it’s a deep garnet color and a muted nose. I did pick up some berry and oak both in the nose and upon first sip. It initially came across slightly acidic and a little tannin-y in addition to the berry and oak. It did stand up for our dinner and complimented the pork potato nachos.
After 60 minutes open
Oak still present but the wine opened up a bit and not so acidic. At this point it’s more tart on the back end. The flavors have become more nuanced. [edit] I was having issues pinpointing the flavors, but dark plum, chocolate and warm spices makes sense.
I’m normally not a cab drinker because of oak, but this one wasn’t too bad. If someone offered me a glass I wouldn’t be mad at it.
As always, thanks WCC, WineDavid, Terry and crew for the opportunity to rat!
@chipgreen not sure if that or travel shock - it got off the truck at 4:30 central time and I cracked it open about 7:30p. I’ll check tomorrow and report back.
CT notes are quite favorable, with only one negative review. I’m not in the market for reds right now but would probably roll the dice on a 2 pack if I were.
@klezman
I think “flagship” refers more to long-term popularity than anything. The wine that pays the bills, like Scott Harvey’s red label Mountain Zin.
2020 Chappellet Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Tasting Notes
Growing Season & Harvest
Specs
What’s Included
2-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale on winery website, $1,140/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Mar 23 - Tuesday, Mar 24
2020 Chappellet Signature Cabernet Sauvignon
2 bottles for $99.99 $50/bottle + $4/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $499.99 $41.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Rats? Hoping the answer is yes. Wish I was one for this one. Anyone in Chicago thinking about doing a split?
@jmdavidson1 I’m also wondering where my rat bottle is
Smoke taint was my first thought
@losthighwayz not a hint. fantastic wine.
2020 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon
The bottle arrived this afternoon, so it didn’t get a chance to rest from its cross country shenanigans. Normally I try to get others to taste with me, but sadly no one was available - so just my thoughts today!
Upon PNP it’s a deep garnet color and a muted nose. I did pick up some berry and oak both in the nose and upon first sip. It initially came across slightly acidic and a little tannin-y in addition to the berry and oak. It did stand up for our dinner and complimented the pork potato nachos.
After 60 minutes open
Oak still present but the wine opened up a bit and not so acidic. At this point it’s more tart on the back end. The flavors have become more nuanced. [edit] I was having issues pinpointing the flavors, but dark plum, chocolate and warm spices makes sense.
I’m normally not a cab drinker because of oak, but this one wasn’t too bad. If someone offered me a glass I wouldn’t be mad at it.
As always, thanks WCC, WineDavid, Terry and crew for the opportunity to rat!
@witchbug77
Possibly entering a “dumb” phase? Based on notes of somewhat muted nose and flavors.
@chipgreen not sure if that or travel shock - it got off the truck at 4:30 central time and I cracked it open about 7:30p. I’ll check tomorrow and report back.
CT notes are quite favorable, with only one negative review. I’m not in the market for reds right now but would probably roll the dice on a 2 pack if I were.
Cellar tracker average value of $54
Not sure why this is being called the flagship given the higher priced wines they make.
@klezman
I think “flagship” refers more to long-term popularity than anything. The wine that pays the bills, like Scott Harvey’s red label Mountain Zin.