2013 Cabernet Sauvignon (Pritchard Hill)

Quality is on the rise at Chappellet, one of the most historic wineries in Napa Valley. Winemaker Philip Corallo-Titus credits new state of the art optical sorting equipment for much of the upswing in quality. Corallo-Titus adds that the recently built new winery also allows him to keep temperatures low during aging and therefore use less SO2. All I could think while tasting these wines is "What took so long?" Surely the Chappellets have had the means to make these investments for years, if not decades. Then again, running a multi-generational family winery with many stakeholders can't possibly be easy. Still, there is no question the newer wines at Chappellet are terrific. In particular, the entry-level Signature Cabernet, which is made from both estate and purchased fruit, is one of the very best values in Napa Valley today.

Even today, Chappellet's surroundings are pretty rustic, so it's hard to imagine what things were like back in the 1960s, when the winery was founded. Winemaking is mostly done in the new facility that is just a few years old, while the original barn-like building is mostly used for receiving guests. The sense of history is palpable, for this is where some of the most epic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons of the late 1960s and 1970s were made. Within the context of modern-day Napa Valley, the Chappellet Cabernets remain powerful, structured and built for cellaring. My sense is that there is a return to a more classic approach after a period of venturing towards a more overt style.