Tasting Notes
Dark and dense in the glass—this Cab is practically velvety midnight. Think cassis, black cherry, and boysenberry with a swirl of French oak spices (vanilla, cardamom, clove). On the palate? Full-bodied swagger with polished tannins, layers of dark chocolate, espresso, sage, and anise. The finish is long, dramatic, and herb-laced, with volcanic energy from Pritchard Hill. Seductive now, but this baby’s built to evolve.
Meet the Winemaker
Chappellet is pure Napa mountain prestige—established on Pritchard Hill in 1967 by Donn & Molly Chappellet, revered for planting high-elevation Cabernet outside the fog line. Still family-run, now led by winemaker Phillip Corallo-Titus, crafting long-lived hillside wines that marry structure and elegance. The 2021 Signature is their icon, and it brims with volcanic terroir and hillside energy.
Wine Specs
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Blend: 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 7% Malbec, 6% Merlot
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Vintage: 2021
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Region: Napa Valley AVA – Pritchard Hill, St. Helena, CA
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Aging: Small-batch fermentation, aged in French oak (time not listed)
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ABV: 14.7%
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Bottle Size: 750 ml
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Serving Temp: 16–18 °C, decant for full expression
Critic Reviews
| Score & Source | Notes |
|---|---|
| 97 pts – Decanter | “Compact and coiled… blackberry, crème de cassis, graphite… towering structure, long herb-spice finish.” |
| 95 pts – Wine Enthusiast | “Extra‑dark color, crushed blueberries & blackberries, milk chocolate palate, silky tannins with pure fruit depth.” |
| 95 pts – International Wine Report | “79% Cab, spice, mocha, sage, violets… full‑bodied, plush, structured, polished—depth and supple finish.” |
| 94–95 pts – Jeb Dunnuck | “Smoky black fruits, graphite, crushed stone, tobacco… concentrated and layered; beautiful finish.” |
| 94 pts – James Suckling | “Cassis, dark berries, sweet spices, dried orange peel, mint undertones… silky, succulent, vivid and long.” |
| 93 pts – Wine Advocate | “Ripe cherries and loamy earth, taut structure, silky tannins—approachable now but more life ahead.” |
Food Pairings
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Prime ribeye or rosemary-rubbed lamb
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Venison or aged hard cheeses (Parmigiano-Reggiano)
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Dark-chocolate ganache or espresso-rubbed rib
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Grilled portobellos with aged balsamic drizzle
Why You Need This Bottle
Because Napa hillside reds don’t get much better than this. Chappellet’s 2021 Signature Cab is polished, powerful, and ready to impress—now or over the next decade. It’s sheer mountain elegance with braces of tannin and a sunset-worthy finish.
Elevate your next dinner or cellar flex. Add Chappellet Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 to your cart—cases ship free or grab club perks. Decant it, sip it, and let Napa mountain vibes do the talking.
