text: Chappellet Vineyard & Winery Press Compendium Philadelphia Daily News January 22, 2010 Martha Stewart "Hey, wake up! It's Martha for Breakfast!" "Here are the recipes for a couple of my favorite breakfast foods. Please try the homemade granola; the maple syrup gives the nuts and oats an amazing flavor. The recipe for Donn's waffles, which originated in the kitchen of winemakers Donn and Molly Chappellet, in California's Napa Valley, produces the lightest, crunchiest waffles I have ever eaten." Fort Worth Business Press January 14, 2010 Renie and Sterling Steves "Wines of the World: Recently Tasted Napa Valley Cabs" 2005 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "Grown off the Silverado Trail on Pritchard Hill, [it] has a richness in its small berries because the ratio of juice to skins is much less. The fruit tastes slightly darker but the texture is light and smooth. Master Sommelier Fred Dame said the Signature Cabernet is a glorious glass of wine!" Syracuse Post December 22, 2009 Don Cazentre and Dick Blume "Holiday Cheer: Syracuse-Area Wine Retailers Offer Good Buys for the Season" 2007 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "Elegance and complexity abound; layers of fruit, subtle oak toastiness and fine tannins. A blockbuster. One to open and enjoy with the special people in your life." Newsday December 15, 2009 Peter Gianotti "Great Gifts Often Come In Bottles" "Grapes and grains yield gifts. Here's a sampler of first-class beverages for the festivities ahead." 2006 Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon "The top wine from an outstanding winery: vivid, berry-filled, firm structure, age- worthy." The Wine Advocate 1 Issue #186, December 2009 Robert Parker "Northern California - Part 1: Napa Valley" "Brilliant wines have emerged from this showcase estate high on Pritchard Hill, which is producing some of the most exciting Cabernets coming out of Napa. As for my estimated aging curves, readers should keep in mind that the 1969 Chappellet made by Philip Togni, at age 40, remains a remarkably young, vibrant wine!" 2006 Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon "The prodigious 2006 Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon showcases this extraordinary area. Blue fruits intermixed with black raspberries, black currants, blackberries, camphor, spring flowers, and a forest floor-like character contribute to the complex aromatics. Opaque purple-colored, full-bodied, and seamlessly constructed with superb integration of wood, tannin, alcohol, and acidity, this beauty will be even better with 5-7 years of bottle age, and should last 30 or more years." 96 Points 2006 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "A fabulous buy, the 2006 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon offers abundant notes of blueberries, cassis, violets, licorice, and incense. Sweet tannins, an opulent, rich, full- bodied mouthfeel, and a velvety finish make this one of the most impressive 2006s I tasted. It can be drunk now or over the next 15-20 years." 93 Points Smoke Signals Online December 21, 2009 Wayne Crawford "Even 'Sideways' Can't Keep a Good Merlot Down!" "In the critically acclaimed 2004 California-based comedy 'Sideways' the red wine Merlot is continuously denigrated in favor of Pinot Noir. Paul Giamatti plays the male lead on a week-long road trip — 'In search of wine. In search of women. In search of themselves.' — as he travels through Santa Ynez Valley wine country with his college roommate. As they quaff their way from winery to eatery, Giamatti laments Merlot as an ordinary wine while extolling the virtues of Pinot Noir: 'I like how wine continues to evolve, like if I opened a bottle of wine today it would taste different than if I'd opened it on any other day, because a bottle of wine is actually alive. And it's constantly evolving and gaining complexity.' Following the film's public release Merlot sales dropped 2% in Western United States. Today Merlot sales in the U. S. are double Pinot Noir sales. California Merlot consumption in 2006 was 21.4 million cases. A starter red? Merlot, the leading grape in Bordeaux, is often viewed in the U. S. as an approachable starter red wine with soft tannins — a red Chardonnay — when priced below $15. This does not begin to describe Merlot's place as a great blending wine. In the hands of a gifted winemaker, Merlot is an engaging, succulent wine with soft tannins. With its ripe fruit and plumy flavors with greater viscosity than Cabernet Sauvignon, value as a blending grape, Merlot is the leading French grape. Look for aromas of blueberry, cherry, mint, plum, spice and black pepper in Merlot. In the new world Merlot, while blended with other reds, is often bottled as a 100% varietal in California and Washington State. In California Duckhorn, Shafer, Pride, Paloma, Matanzas Creek, Chappellet Vineyard & Winery and Barnard Griffin include Merlot in their offerings. Locally, BlackStock 2 Winery and Vineyard in Dahlonega produces Merlot. The challenge for Merlot lovers is finding a quality Merlot at a good price. Cheap Merlots generally lack the velvet and soft character found in a higher priced bottling or in the rarer QPR which seem to be harder to find. The less expensive Merlot's seem rough without structure, lack balance and taste of alcohol. Another source for good Merlot is Chile, particularly the wine produced by Casa Lapostolle and Concho Y Toro. Pair Merlot with grilled or roasted beef, duck and chicken, full-flavored cheese, lamb chops, meat loaf particularly gourmet meat loaf with spinach, pork loins and a good steak. Roasted turkey and veal chops offer another pairing. In a blind Merlot tasting at Big Canoe, we found two wines worth mentioning:" 1999 Napa Valley Merlot "Deep, ruby red color; plum, black cherry, and a hint of spice on the nose; concentrated fruit with a lush mouth feel. Chappellet has been making great wines and its Signature Cabernet Sauvignon wine was number six on Wine Spectator's 'Top 100 List for 2009.'" ZesterDaily.com December 11, 2009 Patrick Comiskey "Old School Napa Cab" "California Napa Valley Cabernet that hasn't lost its backbone is a rare treat wine lovers cherish." "Unless you've been drinking wine under a rock, you know that wine styles have changed dramatically in the past decade, especially for full-bodied reds like Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Ripeness is all; plush, abundant fruit is the norm now, at levels of richness and concentration more typical of Port. Textures are fatter, chunkier and more buxom across the board; and tannin, once the sturdy trunk of great Napa Cab, has softened into a pliant, bendy stripling. So it is a relief to find a few Napa Cabernet producers who have, by and large, resisted the 'call to plumpness.' These stalwart brands craft wines that adhere to a winemaking tradition established 15 or 20 years ago, before a certain critic exerted his influence on style. These are powerful Cabernets, driven less by fruit than by structure. Their grippy tannins, augmented by long contact with oak barrels, give the wines both flavor and structure. There's not much give, but I think these winemakers would say that's not the point. Cab means power to these brands, and oak contributes to it." 2006 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "Intensely concentrated at the outset, this dark cab smells like ink and cassis fruit laced with minerals, with notes of tree bark and redwood frond. Its flavors are equally concentrated, with notes of cassis and black plum, the oak expressing itself with a dark olivey char. The drive of the wine comes from that oak treatment, which packs the wine's finish with firm tannin." Colorado Springs Gazette December 7, 2009 Rich Mauro "The Gift of Wine Can Spark Delight" 3 "Serious wine drinkers really appreciate it if someone cares enough to give the best. Here is a shopping list of the best California wines I have tasted this year but not yet reviewed:" Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2006 Napa Valley Merlot Aspen Daily News December 4, 2009 Drew Stofflet "Chappellet Winery: Family Owned in Napa" "Donn and Molly Chappellet began farming the Pritchard Hill Vineyard in 1967, making it the second oldest family owned winery in Napa Valley. At 1,200 feet above sea level, they were the first in California to produce what is known as 'mountain fruit.' The rocky soil, wind, sun and large, daily temperature swings help produce fruit that is more complex and wines that balance intensity, richness and a full-body with supple structure and finesse. Today the winery is still family owned and operated, going against the trend of corporate mergers or consolidations. The wines have a tradition and a following, with many great vintages finding their way into collector's cellars, and selling for far less than many of today's 'cult' collectibles coming from Napa. Chappellet is most widely known for their distinctive cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay and merlot, but the winery also produces some of the only serious chenin blanc in Napa and has done really nice things with the Italian varietal, sangiovese. Zinfandel, the grape that California can truly call it's own 'noble' variety, and syrah, have found their way into the Chappellet portfolio as well. Let's look a little more closely at some of these wines. Zinfandel was brought to California by immigrants from Eastern Europe around 1850, and planted widely in the state. Its rich, robust flavors and its ability to grow well in California's climate gave it 'noble' status and a lasting hold in the state's viticultural tradition. Chappellet sources their Zinfandel not from Pritchard Hill, but rather from the St. Helena and Rutherford areas. The result is a wine full of berry flavors, thorny and wild, with pepper spices and mocha notes to finish. Napa wine makers have a long tradition of creating Bordeaux-style blends with their cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc. Chappellet releases two such blends. The first is their 'Mountain Cuvee,' a blend of cabernet, merlot and petit verdot. The wine is soft but with a firm grip of tannins on the edge. Cherries and darker plum fruits flavor the palate. The petit verdot gives a minty, aromatic finish to this very drinkable wine. The 2005 feels as if it has been in the bottle for five years or more. Adding two more Bordeaux grapes to the mix, malbec and cabernet franc, gives us the release 'Las Piedras.' The term means 'rocks' in Spanish and refers to the rugged soil in which the vines grow on Pritchard Hill. 'Las Piedras' is more complex than the 'Mountain Cuvee' and features spices such as cinnamon, clove and tobacco that compliment the intense chocolate and coffee notes of the wine. Mountain fruit from Napa has always had this current of complexity. 4 Whereas cabernet from the valley floor is known to be rich and opulent, it tends to be ripe and round without the minerality from the rocky soils up high, or the exotic spiciness. Mountain fruit tends to age longer and show its secrets as it matures in the bottle. Finally, for fans of chenin blanc (like me), the winery focuses on four classic styles: dry and unoaked; old-vine, barrel-fermented; demi-sec (a sweet wine affected with botrytis, a mold that enhances sweet wines); and 'Moelleux,' a sweet wine that is made in only the best vintages. The Chappellet family has stayed true to the land and their original vision of producing the highest quality wines from one of the most storied appellations in North America. They have resisted going the way of many, modernizing, merging or even selling out. They have outlasted their oldest peers, including Robert Mondavi, who had the only older family-owned winery when they began their production in the '60s. Today, their wines still represent family, commitment to the highest quality and a celebration of all things good in a crystal glass. Cheers!" Reno Gazette Journal December 2, 2009 Mark Janes "Best Winery for Robert Parker Fans" "Chappellet Vineyard & Winery: Here the wines are very dark in color, very big and outgoing with their fruit profiles, and very firm and full in the mouth. They are quite outstanding for their style." Santé December 2009 Rob Costantino "Napa's Family" "Many prominent Napa Valley family-owned wineries have survived economic downturns, poor harvests, unanticipated business trends, and attractive buyout offers. Here are some of the long-term successful family enterprises, listed by the year they were established." Chappellet Vineyard & Winery - 1967 Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wines December 2009 Charles Olken 2007 Mountain Cuvee "As much as we like Chappellet's front-line offerings, this somewhat under-played wine offers little of interest. It is clean, lightly tannic and firmed by fairly obvious acids, but its marked lack of real fruity substance and depth makes it no more than a participant in the Cabernet sweepstakes." 85 Points San Francisco Chronicle December 2009 5 Jon Bonné "Top 100 Wines 2009" "It's not hard to find spectacular Cabernet north of $100, but finding one under $50 is more of a challenge. Yet they're out there - from Washington, Sonoma, Paso Robles, even Napa Valley. This year's list leans more toward up-front drinkability, which means less wood and power-slugger fruit. That isn't to say you should overlook the rise of great Cabernet Franc, which is finally finding a worthy fan base on these shores." 2006 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "Chappellet's trademark effort, made by Phillip Corallo-Titus, shows the great potential of Pritchard Hill fruit. Up-front and generous, with oak-tinged plum, dried tobacco and subtle char notes. Plenty of backbone to its well-robed structure." Wine Enthusiast December 2009 "Top 100 Cellar Selections 2009" 2006 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon - #29 "Feels instantly special in the mouth, with beautiful tannins that are soft and ripe but complex at the same time. They frame deep flavors of blackberries, currants, tobacco, dark chocolate, violets, anise and cedar, firmed with minerals." 94 Points Atlanta Examiner.com November 30, 2009 Matt Maudlin "Chappellet Wine Makes a Great Holiday Gift" "Not only is Chappellet wine something that your recipients will enjoy; it speaks to the gift giver''s sense of style and taste, making it a great gift for the holidays. Chappellet was founded in 1967 by Donn Chappellet, a former food services executive who moved his family from Beverly Hills to the Napa Valley to explore his passion for fine wine. He chose a magical spot east of St. Helena called Pritchard Hill to plant the vineyards and build the winery. The well-draining mountainous terrain, bright sunshine, and cool nights of Pritchard Hill make this an ideal spot for the production of Bordeaux varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc; and the Chappellet's have been making some of Napa Valley's finest wines in this location ever since. You don't have to break the bank to give a bottle of Chappellet. Their entry-level wines are fantastic and reasonably priced at around $30. The 2007 Napa Valley Chardonnay is a leaner Burgundian-style Chardonnay made from grapes grown in the cooler Southern areas of Napa Valley. It recently scored a "91" in Wine Spectator. The 2006 Napa Valley Merlot is full-bodied and elegant with luscious dark fruit notes. The 2007 Mountain Cuvee is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, and Malbec. It has tons of depth and ripe tannins, but is very approachable and drinkable now. These are serious wines that can be enjoyed by casual wine drinkers or by wine connoisseurs Chappellet's 2006 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon was recently named Wine Spectator's #6 Wine of the Year and is rated "94", and is an exceptional value at around $42. It's going to be tough to find the 2006 vintage at this point but you can look for the recently released 2007 of this perennial favorite. The 2006 Pritchard Hill Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a great gift for that special wine lover in your life. It's great for collectors to cellar for the years ahead, retailing for around $120. It recently was rated "96" by Wine Spectator. 6 Chappellet wines aren't available in every store, but you can find them in many fine wine shops around Atlanta. The Chardonnay is currently available at Smyrna World of Beverages in Smyrna. The Merlot is currently available at Total Wine in Alpharetta, or at Ansley Wine Merchants in Atlanta; as is the Mountain Cuvee. Look for the 2007 Signature Cabernet and the Pritchard Hill Estate Cabernet at Total Wine in Alpharetta. Your favorite wine store will also know where to order Chappellet from, so don't be afraid to ask if you don't see it. Happy hunting!" The Kitchn.com November 19, 2009 Mary Gorman 2006 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "Recommended" Wine News Fall 2009 2006 Napa Valley Merlot "Dense crimson hue. Powerful scents of black cherry, vanilla and mocha. Velvety tannins and ripe flavors of blackberry and blueberry. Maple and vanilla accent the blackberry- themed close." 91 Points 2007 Napa Valley Chardonnay "Bright yellow hue. Pretty nose of toasted oak, grapefruit and mineral. Silky mouth-feel with flavors of buttery apple accented by mineral and backed by generous citrus. Spicy pepper and clove accent the close." 89 Points St. Helena Star November 12, 2009 Stefan Blicker "Wine of the Week" 2007 Mountain Cuvee "A whopper of a bargain, from the ripe, round and riveting 2007 vintage, is the Chappellet Vineyard & Winery Mountain Cuvee. Mostly cabernet and merlot, this is blended as an 'early drinker' by the winery. I'm told that in 2007, they made less of the signature cabernet ($45-plus) so a fair amount of the extra good juice was put into the Mountain Cuvee. Good news for us! This is ridiculously easy to drink and reminds me of a chocolate-covered cherry. Plenty of sweet fruit and cocoa, with a soft texture and nice balance. Around town for a modest $25, a great price for Napa cabernet!" Westchester Magazine November 2009 Lindsay Robbins "Where to Un-Cork" "Wine shop owners divulge their favorite BYOB" Signature Cabernet Sauvignon (NV) Selected by Dodd Farber of Dodd's Liquor City - taken to Buon Gusto Restaurant "A full-bodied, dry red wine complemented by the veal chop." Wine Talk by Robert Whitley 7 October 30, 2009 Robert Whitley 2005 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "I confess I've always had a fondness for the cabernet sauvignon from Chappellet, though it is hardly the flashiest red in the valley when young. This is a more subdued, earthy Napa cabernet than most, reminding me of my earliest experiences tasting Bordeaux of the Graves district. These wines are kind, sleek and together, and never fully expressing their underlying complexity and depth until the years −− 10, 12, 15 −− have passed. You can be patient with this superb 2005 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, which expresses itself with a rich cassis and blackberry nose, something that just cries out cabernet. It's full−bodied and slightly sweet (or I no doubt would have inched the score higher), with well−measured wood notes and a hint of spice. If you should open this wine in its youth, do yourself a favor and serve it with a thick, juicy steak." 90 Points NapaLife October 26, 2009 Paul Franson "New Book On Caves" "Molly Chappellet and Daniel D'Agostini have a new book, Into the Earth: A Wine Cave Renaissance. The foreword is by Hugh Johnson. Into the Earth is a pictorial and written tale about wine caves. It contains images of never-before-photographed caves and insight from respected cave designers, architects, engineers, drillers and winery proprietors." NapaLife October 26, 2009 Paul Franson "Napa Valley Vintners Educate Wine Experts" "Last week, the Napa Valley Vintners hosted a group of about 35 senior wine students from around the world to learn more about Napa Valley and its wines. The students, most candidates for Master of Wine or Master Sommelier certification, spend three intense days in learning what makes Napa wines special. I was fortunate to moderate a session where two generations of Napa vintners talked about their past and present and speculated on the future. Beth and her mother Mary Novak, Cyril and his mother Molly Chappellet, and Bob Trinchero and his nephew Bob Torres." Cape Gazette October 19, 2009 John McDonald "Cab Guzzlers, Collectors Salivate at Names Colgin, Byrant" "Every Cab guzzler and collector salivates at the names Colgin…but somehow Chappellet at $140 a bottle is on the back burner by comparison to the next-door neighbors. Why does the vaunted Chappellet Pritchard Hill, 96 points, sell at 60-plus percent discount to the others? Your best move is to buy a bunch of Chappellet 2006 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, 94 points, under $40 a bottle. It is a benchmark for the rocky hillside wines of the Napa Valley. Dark purple, garnet colored, pronounced cherry aromas with oak-driven vanilla lead to plums, cocoa, coffee, anise, wild berry and herbal flavors. Proper acid balances 8 the fruit, and the tannins are pronounced indicating a need for cellaring. Drink between 2011 and 2020. Buy all you can get your hands on before it doubles." Wine Spectator October 19, 2009 James Laube "2006 Cabernet, Winemakers Strike Gold with this Newly Released Vintage." "California is in the midst of a strong run of Cabernet vintages. The wines from 2006-the most recent vintage to be released-mark the third excellent year in a row, and the 2007s, though a year from coming to market, may be the best of the lot. Call it a Cabernet bonanza, with a variety of styles on offer, extending from sleek and elegant to bold and extravagant. …It was a banner year for esteemed producers such as…and Chappellet all of which all made wines that rated 95 points or higher." 2006 Pritchard Hill Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (96 points) 2006 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon (94 points) 2006 Mountain Cuvee (88 points), which was listed as a "top value." Wine Spectator October 19, 2009 James Laube "1999 California Cabernet Has Aged Well in its First Decade" "The 1999 California Cabernet vintage was a great success when it was released, delivering many of the decade's best wines. Now 10 years old, the top Cabernets of that harvest have, for the most part, aged the way wine lovers who cellared them hoped they would; time has worked to their advantage. … Two of the wines, both from Napa, were standouts in the tasting, earning classic 95- point ratings. The 1999 Chappellet and 1999 Altamura displayed wonderful complexity and concentration and a vibrancy that bodes well for further cellaring. Chappellet, grown on Pritchard Hill east of St. Helena, is the more familiar name, with a track record of quality Cabernets dating back to the 1960s." 1999 Pritchard Hill Estate Cabernet Sauvignon "Still a big, ripe, chunky, expressive style, matching power with restraint." 95 Points The Press Democrat October 14, 2009 Peg Melnik "Wine of the Week: Scouting for the Tastiest Cabernet Sauvignons" "Wine writer Peg Melnik had a blind tasting this week of cabernet sauvignons, running the gaumut in price from $15 to $55." 2006 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "A complex, focused cabernet sauvignon. Aromas and flavors of blackberry, black cherry, herbs and spice. Ripe tannins. Great structure." 4.5 Stars out of 5 - Highly Recommended/Classic 9 Florida Today October 8, 2009 Tim Dwight "Napa Journey Comes to an End" "…Thus concluded our invitation to visit Chappellet Winery, the last stop on our tour of the Napa Valley… 'The Signature Cab, our mainstay red, is made up of 76 percent cabernet sauvignon, 18 percent merlot and lesser parts of petit verdot and cab franc,' our host said as we started our '06 releases set on the table in front of us. 'It recently scored 94 points in the Wine Spectator, and Donn made a tough decision to actually lower the price from previous years (down to about $43). He's sensitive to what's going on out there in the economy.' My traveling companion and I also enjoyed other wines from the collection, and then finished with a flourish. 'This is our pinnacle bottling, the 2006 Pritchard Hill Cabernet. It comes from our finest vines, the nastiest, toughest ones that give up stingy yields,' Santos said. 'But see what you think about the juice in the bottle.' Not inexpensive at $140 a pop, but hard to argue with the 96-point score awarded in the Spectator. And definitely a fitting wine to wrap up our magical trip to the Napa Valley." New Jersey Beverage Journal October 1, 2009 Ed McCarthy "California's Crown Jewel" "I am convinced that Cabernet Sauvignons and Cabernet blends are California's best wines…" McCarthy recommends the Signature Cabernet Sauvignon as part of the selected $160 to $400 (per 12 bottle case) list. Wine Business Monthly October 1, 2009 John Corcoran "Hosted Customer Relationship Management Software Solutions" "Chappellet Winery general manager Steve Tamburelli describes why he adopted this specific CRM software: 'Our motivation in implementing TheWineryCRM through Elypsis and Webfortis was to have a fully integrated solution that would allow us to market more effectively to both our trade customers and our winery direct customers. I want all of our customer-facing staff to be fully vested in each customer experience and history, with us. Sales and profile/preference is mined to allow us to present timely and relevant information to each segment of our customer base. This tool allows us to market our wines in a more personal and effective way.'" San Francisco Chronicle September 25, 2009 Lynne Char Bennett "Napa Valley and Sonoma Merlot" "Merlot has gone from a popular, soft, fruity, easy-to-drink wine to an oakier style, which 10 we found during the Chronicle's 2007 look at Napa Merlots from the 2003 and 2004 vintage. Merlot, though fairly easy to ripen, has a greater tendency towards green aromas and flavors when not fully ripened. It seems the pendulum has swung back a bit. The Napa and Sonoma Merlots we tasted have generally found a midpoint. Although there are many bottlings priced at more than $40-especially from the better known producers-our tasting unearthed attractive offerings at more modest prices." 2006 Napa Valley Merlot "Winemaker Phillip Corallo-Titus has produced this bottling with fruit from Chappellet's well-known Pritchard Hill vineyard. The lively red and black cherry nose offers hints of menthol, layered with subtle spice; similar flavors tending to darker fruit wrapped in oak spice. Good balance with slightly firmer structure." Gazette.net September 16, 2009 Jen Beasly "Kensington Man sets up wine, nonprofit co-op" "A Kensington town councilman has launched an online wine marketplace that will give 50 percent of its proceeds to partner charities, urging patrons to 'Drink Charitably.' But Mackie Barch's Vintners Charitable Cooperative won't be filling goblets or coffers of Marylanders any time soon. Direct delivery of wine from vintner to consumer, the system upon which the company is based, is illegal in this and 12 other states, so the Web-only storefront will be restricted to the places its goods can be legally delivered. The Vintners Charitable Cooperative works by partnering with small boutique wineries to create a wine club through the site. Charities then encourage their patrons to join the wine club, allowing them to buy the wines featured in the VCC. The VCC, in turn, gives 50 percent of the net profit from that wine purchased by club members to the partner charity. The VCC currently has three vineyard partners—Chappellet, Dovetail, and D'Argenzio— and one charity partner, Reach Out and Read, a national nonprofit that distributes books to doctors in all 50 states to give to pediatric patients at wellness checks. Supporters of Reach Out and Read join the charity's wine club through the VCC and buy wines from the participating vineyards, which sends 50 percent of the proceeds to the charity. Eventually, Barch said, he wants to have hundreds of charity partners. 'I think it's a great way for vintners to support a good organization like ours and we think our donors will like it,'" said Mary Doorley, director of development for Reach Out and Read. 'And with the holidays coming up we thought it would be a good time. We think it would be a great gift for the holidays.' Steve Tamburelli, general manager of Chappellet, said the winery is happy to participate too. The vineyard will offer a 2007 Mountain Cuvee and a 2007 Chardonnay through the VCC. 'It allows us to expose our wines to a client that may not be exposed without this, and at the same time it's for a good cause,' Tamburelli said. 'We don't have a real public face in wine, we're way up in the hills.' 11 Tamburelli said the VCC offers a new foothold for the Napa vineyard in 'one of the most crowded industries in the world.'" Nebraska Beverage Analyst September1, 2009 Author Unknown 2006 Mountain Cuvee "This is the wine you chose when you are looking for vivid, mouth-filling fruit flavors. The Mountain Cuvee is a winemaker's blend that beautifully expresses the distinctive qualities of the traditional Bordeaux varietals, and is crafted for early consumption. Each component making up the cuvee contributes nuances that mingle with and complement each other. The result is a complex array of aromas and flavors that deliver pure pleasure in a glass. Crafted around a core of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the 2006 Mountain Cuvee begins with sweet and vibrant red cherry aromas, alongside notes of rhubarb, lavender, earth and spice. Rich, mouth-filling and backed by well-balanced tannins, it offers a pleasing array of ripe red and black fruit flavors highlighting cherry and plum layers." Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wines September 2009 Charles Olken 2006 Napa Valley Merlot "This very solid Merlot has an extra edge of structure probably owing as much to its hillside site as to its small addition of other varieties, and while its flavors are all Merlot red cherry, it does get a bit tough in the late going. Time is on its side, however, and with the proven track record of Chappellet reds, no one should have any reluctance to let it rest for three to five years in the cellar." 90 Points Wine Enthusiast September 2009 Steve Heimoff 2006 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "Feels instantly special in the mouth, with beautiful tannins that are soft and ripe but complex at the same time. They frame deep flavors of blackberries, currants, tobacco, dark chocolate, violets, anise and cedar, firmed with minerals." 94 Points - Cellar Selection 2007 Napa Valley Chardonnay "Tasted in the Spring of 2009, this Chard was immature, marked by fresh fruit acidity and flavors, as well as unintegrated oak. But it's quite good, and just needs time to allow the grilled pineapple, crème brûlée and buttered toast flavors to come together with the alcohol." 92 Points Decanter September 2009 Linda Murphy 2006 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "Cassis dominates the nose and entry of this smooth, supple wine. Violets, sage, earth and minerals unfold; pleasantly dusty tannins, gentle vanillin oak and refreshing acidity complete the package." 4 Stars (out of 5) 12 C Magazine September 2009 Kelsey McKinnon "King Cabs" "In a region where Cabernet is King, here are Napa Valley's best bottles of the season:" 2006 Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon "Setting the standard in Napa hillside Cabernet, only the best blocks of Donn Chappellet's Pritchard Hill estate were used for their 2006 Estate Cabernet." The Detroit News August 31, 2009 Sandra Silfven "Today's Recommended Wine" 2006 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "This Cab is a dream in the reach of experienced wine lovers. A dream that those just tiptoeing into wine may find delicious, too. Chappellet's Pritchard Hill Vineyard in Napa Valley is 1,200 feet above the valley floor, which means the vines produce fewer clusters but the grapes are super-intense in flavor. This is Cabernet Sauvignon you can chew like a great steak. It's a bomb filled with cola, blackberries, milk chocolate and plums. It explodes on the nose with a blast of berry aromas -- everything from currants to blackberries to raspberries. The palate is big and rich, but not heavy or oaky. The fabulous wood from the barrels flows seamlessly through the flavors. It's delish! Pour it with lamb chops, any beefsteak or a creamy, blue-veined cheese. It's a fat wine that calls for 'fat' food. You must see the story of Chappellet and watch the gallery of pictures." The Washington Post August 19, 2009 Dave McIntyre "Glass Acts" "California also scored for value with the white wines. Our top finisher -- by a hair -- was the Chappellet 2007 Napa Valley Chardonnay, a [$32] charmer that fooled the judges into thinking it was French. Only Vanessa Moore, owner of Unwined retail store in Alexandria, identified it as a Napa wine. (Wine Spectator magazine loved it, too, rating it 91 points, about what our judges gave it.)" South Florida Sun-Sentinel August 13, 2009 Bob Hosmon "Wine Of The Week" 2006 Napa Valley Merlot "Attention lovers of well-made merlot. The 2006 Napa Valley Merlot, with its vibrant fruit and complex structure, is one of the best. Serve with: Pair this red with meat loaf, Italian sausages, beef or lamb stew or smoked provolone." JancisRobinson.com Linda Murphy August 11, 2009 13 "2006 California Cabernets" "The 2006 Cab vintage followed the relatively cool, extended 2005 season, which produced high yields and, for the most part, wines slightly lower in alcohol and fruit ripeness, and with higher acidities, than in 2004 and 2006. The 2006 growing season started out on a similar path as 2005, with an uncharacteristically wet, chilly spring that delayed budbreak by two to three weeks. Then it got hot … very hot … in July, with more than a week of 100-degree F spikes to which Californians are so accustomed. Yet the heat came before veraison, did little if any damage, and gave vines a chance to catch up from the cold spring. Relatively moderate (for California) temperatures followed through mid-November, and even the growers at high elevations harvested their grapes when they wanted to, and not when heat spikes or fall rains forced them to. From the major Cabernet Sauvignon-producing regions of California - Napa, Sonoma, Santa Cruz Mountains and Paso Robles - the 2006 wines are powerful, dense and substantially tannic, yet most I've tasted from the first releases are balanced. True, there are many 15% alcohol wines from 2006, yet I've found only a few that tasted 'hot.' The majority are ripe and concentrated, yet without a burn at the back of the throat. A handful of vintners have dropped their Cabernet Sauvignon retail prices a bit in response to economy-driven sales slowdowns of high-end wines. Most have maintained retail pricing from 2005 to 2006, although many a back-room deal is being done on the wholesale and restaurant side. Keep an eye out for discounted 2005 California Cabernets that are being sold to make room for the 2006s. For those who like their Cabs a bit tamer and more elegant than the California norm, 2005 is the year to seek out." 2006 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "Cassis dominates the nose and entry of this supple, beautifully integrated wine. Violets, sage, earth and minerals on the mid-palate; pleasantly dusty tannins, gentle cocoa and vanillin oak, and refreshing acidity. No heat despite 14.9% alcohol on the label." 18 out of 20 points Wine Spectator August 10, 2009 Tim Fish "12 California Merlots" "Merlot remains a best seller even though it isn't easy to make great Merlot in California, but as this week's group of new releases demonstrates, some wineries just have a knack for it. Excellence, however, comes at a price – most of these wines are $30 or higher." 2006 Napa Valley Merlot "Supple yet complex, with red currant, cedar and spicy-mocha aromas and rich black cherry and bell pepper flavors that linger with soft tannins." 90 Points Wine Spectator Insider August 5, 2009 James Laube 2006 Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon "Firm and concentrated, with taut, vibrant mineral, blackberry, wild berry and black cherry fruit that gives this a rich core of flavors. Deep and concentrated, ending with a 14 long, persistent finish." 96 Points The Tasting Panel August 2009 Anthony Dias Blue "Napa Gold" 2006 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "Edgy, long and silky with lovely balance and finesse." 90 Points Dallas Modern Luxury August 2009 Bob Ecker "Cellar's Market" Michael Chiarello - Celebrity Chef, TV Personality, vintner 2006 Mountain Cuvee "Seriously, this wine is beautiful." Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wines August 2009 Charles Olken 2006 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "A frequent favorite in these pages, this bottling comes close to the top in this vintage but ultimately falters at the back. It starts, however with aromas that are deep, rich, somewhat juicy and suggest a bit of excess without actually going over the line. And while its ripeness is also evident on the palate, it also finds the abrupt finish of the vintage and misses out on higher ratings." 88 Points Houston Chronicle July 15, 2009 Dale Robertson 2006 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 25.9 Points (Out of 30): 8.9 for quality, 8 for value, for 9 availability Data: "Longtime winemaker Philip Corallo-Titus' Pritchard Hill blend is 76 percent cab and 18 percent merlot, with a little malbec and petit verdot in the mix too." Alcohol: 14.9 percent My take: "A big, bold, very seductive wine and a pretty reasonable price" My quality score: 8.9 (Out of 10) Taster's comment: "Layers of black fruit and spice." Sherman's Travel July 2009 Ted Loos "Which Napa Wines to Buy Now" "With vineyard land in Napa growing ever more scarce and expensive, vintners are increasingly specializing in Cabernet Sauvignon, the grape best suited to the valley and the one with an exceptional track record. For most wineries, their Cab defines them – but not all Cabs are created equal. Luckily, in Napa this big red is made well at every price point; you just have to know where to look. The following bottles have national distributions, so you can find them back home, too." 15 "Over $40" 2006 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "Chappellet isn't as well known as some Napa wineries, especially on the East Coast. But this family-owned operation should be at the forefront of any Cab lover's mind. Sweet fruit is the focus, with blackberry and plum tastes accented by dark chocolate." Wine Enthusiast July 2009 Steve Heimoff "California 128: 3 Days on Northern California's Wine Road" "To continue up Route 128 into the Vacas, be careful: the little highway makes a left turn off the Silverado Trail that you'll miss if you blink. Up in these rugged hills, with their volcanic soils and dramatic view of Napa Valley, lies one of Napa's most prestigious winegrowing regions: Pritchard Hill, home to such wineries as Colgin and Chappellet." The Colorado Wine News July 2009 Harold J. Baer 2007 Napa Valley Chardonnay "The 2007 Napa Valley Chardonnay was aged sur lie in French oak, one-third new. Aromas of oak, cream, butter, pear, and sweet lemon peel repeat in the reverse order as flavors led by added apple before a medium-broad, truncated finish with persistent light oak. Well balanced, structured, and integrated. It will be popular." 2006 Napa Valley Merlot "It opens with oak, blood and vanilla before flavors of blood, raspberry, and oak laced with dry tannin. The long finish is narrow at the front and broad at the back and has lingering oak." 2006 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "A nose of smoky oak over blackberry and black raspberry repeats as flavors with the addition of lots of tooth coating, drying tannin before a medium-broad, medium-long finish. If you like your Cabernet oaky, this is a good choice." Wine Review Online June 16, 2009 Paul Lukacs 2007 Napa Valley Chardonnay "A classy Chardonnay, showing secondary earthiness in addition to primary fruit, and offering impressive depth, this wine seems to have the structure and stuffing for cellaring. It's so tasty now, though, that I'm not sure I'd want to delay gratification." 89 Points A Matter of Taste June 15, 2009 David & Rachel Cane 2006 Napa Valley Merlot "The 2006 growing season provided a perfectly balanced, seductively warm, luscious Merlot that has aromas of dark berry fruit that is married brilliantly with the sweet flavors of ripe dark cherries, mocha and blackberries, accented by the perfect spicing of oak. The 16 wine is made by the talented winemaker Phillip Corallo-Titus. This sensual wine is an ideal companion to roast chicken, beef kabobs, or a rosemary scented butterflied leg of lamb. The depth of the wine allows for hedonistic drinking as an aperitif instead of the usual choice of white wine." The Chronicle-Telegram (Elyria, Ohio) June 12, 2009 Gary Twining "Picks From The Cellar" 1986 Napa Valley Merlot "Big and rich with dark fruit, still powerful and youthful but showing its maturity with some bricking/browning in the color at the rim of the glass. It showed spice and plum nuances with hints of oak." Wine Review Online June 2, 2009 Michael Franz 2006 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "A beautifully balanced, classically-structured Napa Cabernet, this offers lots of flavor and versatility for its substantial but fair price. A fruit core of blackberries and black cherries is accented with notes of cocoa powder, espresso beans and toast. Full-bodied but not so dense as to come off as heavy, it shows nice tannic grip but no hardness or astringency, making it very enjoyable now with decanting and food." 91 Points Wine Spectator June 2009 Tim Fish "Exploring Napa Valley" "Touring At the Top – Wineries To Visit" Chappellet Vineyard & Winery "Perched high atop Pritchard Hill, Chappellet, founded in 1969, affords visitors the stunning vista of Lake Hennessy and parts of the valley. Chappellet's version of hospitality is friendly and down-to-earth; for example, guests are lent a jacket to keep them warm during private tastings in the cave. If the weather is nice, tours include a short hike through the vineyards and, en route, an explanation of the winery's commitment to sustainable agriculture and solar power. The tasting includes about five wines, including the iconic Pritchard Hill Cabernet blend and Signature Cabernet. Indulge in the extended tour and lunch, because once you take in the view and the vibe, you won't want to leave." Have Wine Will Travel (Radio Show) June 1, 2009 Doc Cummings "This is a series of features with Cyril Chappellet. This winery has been one of Napa Valley's best for many years. Going back to the late 70's, the wines have been crafted and made with pride each vintage. This is a family winery located off the Silverado Trail. Please call ahead for tasting, and after trying these wines you will want to join the wine club, as they have some wines just available there." 17 Connoisseur's Guide To California Wines June 2009 Charles Olken 2007 Napa Valley Chardonnay "Rich, very well-defined, energetic young Chardonnay fruit takes control from the very first sniff here and stays the course all the way through this concentrated, fairly full- bodied wine's ample, long-lasting flavors. Deft oaky spice provides more richness yet, and impeccable balance ensures that a good thing will get even better with time." 91 Points Annapolis Capital May 27, 2009 Tom Marquardt & Patrick Darr 2006 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "Sweet plum and berry flavors with firm tannins, good oak and hints of mocha. Blended with merlot, malbec and petit verdot." St. Helena Star May 21, 2009 Stefan Blicker "Wine of the Week" 2006 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "When you come back from a wine wasteland like Warwick, R.I., as I did a couple of days ago, you RUSH to the cellar, yes you do. In fact, I ran to the store, because there's never anything in my house that lasts more than a day. I spied the 2006 Chappellet Cab and was transported to cabernet heaven once again, secure that I would not be trapped in a world of Bud Light forever. This wine really is just a whopping mouthful of cabernet…everything you want is here and it is surprisingly affordable considering its depth, richness, intensity and fat, happy personality. On the nose it screams spicy, oaky cassis and cocoa dust, and in your mouth it is loaded with glycerin and even more black and blue fruits and great structure. Immensely enjoyable and highly recommended!" Novus Vinum/Gayot.com May 13, 2009 "Top Ten Wines for Father's Day" "Indulge your dad's inner wine-lover this Father's Day by presenting him with one of the following selections:" 2006 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Newsday May 7, 2009 Peter Gianotti "Toast Mom" "So, you may be headed for a restaurant. Or doing the cooking. Maybe it's celebratory takeout. But Mom deserves a toast. Here are some recommendations:" "West Coast Mom" "The meticulous, fruity and floral 2006 Napa Valley Chardonnay." 18 Wine Review Online May 5, 2009 Gerald D. Boyd 2006 Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon "The Chappellet family believes their Pritchard Hill Estate vineyard represents the best that the hillside vineyard has to offer. A limited production wine, Pritchard Hill Cabernet is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec, aged for 22 months in 80% new French oak and an additional six months in bottle before release. It has a very deep ruby color with a black core, roasted coffee and dark plum aromas, forward bright fruit flavors, refined long-chain tannins, good length and structure. Finished at 14.9% alcohol, this is a big concentrated mouthful of wine with just a hint of alcohol in the finish. Give it more time." 92 Points Wines & Vines May 2009 Jane Firstenfeld "Added Value for Tasting Rooms" "Now that winery visitors may legally purchase and consume wines on winery picnic grounds in California, we expect to see more outdoor activities throughout the state. Napa's Chappellet Winery, which produces about 30,000 cases per year and sells about 23% direct-to-consumer, is piling value upon value at its St. Helena property. Its standard $25 program offers a 90-minute tour and tasting, and has been, says general manager Steve Tamburelli, 'the single most important initiative in driving consumer- direct sales. We focus wholly on experience, and know that it will be the experience we deliver that will make them customers for life.' Chappellet decided recently to capitalize even more on its spectacular location by adding a 'Pinzgauer tour' of the property. Guests board the Pinzgauer (an Austrian army all- terrain vehicle) for a two-hour 'über experience' that terminates atop Pritchard Hill, overlooking the valley. 'There is no more stunning place,' Tamburelli says. 'It creates lifelong memories.' The $75 tab includes lunch and wine. Be authentic 'I think each winery needs to be true to itself in defining its consumer experience,' Tamburelli says. 'Use your assets and show your customers what you want to be known for. If you do this and it makes sense to the consumer, you'll be successful.'" Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar May/June 2009 Stephen Tanzer "Focus On California's North Coast" 2006 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "Full ruby-red. Aromas of currant, tobacco, graphite and crushed rock. Sweet, plush and nicely deep, with a silky texture to the flavors of plum, currant and spicecake. Quite sweet, even a bit exotic, for this bottling. Finishes with substantial broad, dusty tannins and plenty of spicy, chocolatey oak." 89 Points The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, CA) 19 April 29, 2009 Peg Melnik "Wine Of The Week" "Wine writer Peg Melnik has a blind tasting this week of moderate to high-priced Chardonnays. There were several tasty 4-star rated wines…" 2007 Napa Valley Chardonnay "An elegant chardonnay that has great focus. Creamy, with notes of apple, lemon curd and mineral. Very complex." 4 Stars – Highly Recommended Wine Spectator.com (Appeared in the July 2009 issue and in the June issue of Wine Spectator Advance) April 27, 2009 James Laube "Tasting Highlights: California Cabernet" "Our most recent tour of Napa Cabernet was extraordinary for both the range and the diversity of wines, styles and vintages, but also for the prices…" 2006 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "Assertive herb, anise, blackberry and wild berry fruit is tight, firm, tannic and well- structured, picking up depth and length on the finish." 94 Points The News-Star (Monroe, LA) April 1, 2009 Patrick Gerl "Try Some Lesser Known Wines from the Napa Area" "…The other is Pritchard Hill. There are just a few wineries in the area but they all make top quality wines. Expect to pay more than $500 a bottle for some of the top offerings of Pritchard Hill wineries – if you can get them. Chappellet Vineyard & Winery has kept its offerings obtainable and affordable." 2005 Mountain Cuvee "A nice wine to experience is the 2006 Mountain Cuvee. This wine is a classic Bordeaux blend. Consisting of 51 percent cabernet sauvignon, 40 percent merlot, 7 percent malbec, 1 percent cabernet franc and 1 perfect petit verdot. Earth tones fade quickly to reveal sweet cherry and a bitter impression – not quite currant, not quite cranberry but like a combination of the two. You will experience blackberry, vanilla, wood, plum, and oregano if you allow the wine time to settle a little. The wine has a long and pleasant finish. This is a very food friendly wine. You don't want to get fancy with the food. This wine will make any meal shine. Try a grilled T-bone or strip steak. Buffalo or venison steak will also go very well." Vineyard & Winery Management April 2009 Laura Ness "Eco-Friendly Vineyard Vehicles" "The electric tractor is a great idea that makes a lot of sense – at least to green-minded people like Jon-Mark Chappellet of Chappellet Winery, who recently completed a conversion of a 1948 Allis Chalmers G to battery power. 'Electric tractors made sense to 20 me because batteries are heavy and are an asset instead of a liability on a tractor,' Chappellet says. 'You are usually close to home on a tractor so recharging is only a short distance away.' Chappellet found out about electric tractor conversions via Steve Heckeroth… 'With a few modifications, you can adapt this 'recipe' for your own circumstances,' Chappellet says. 'Now that I've got it running, the next step is to add implements, like a hitch for a trailer and hydraulics to raise and lower the work bar. My goal is to establish a local workshop where people can convert gas-powered tractors to electric. I'd really like to know if the big tractor manufacturers are considering electric tractors.'" Wine Enthusiast April 2009 David Rosengarten 2005 Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon "I see the same thing happening widely today in California. And, intriguingly, I see lots of California chefs keeping up with the winemakers by making a return to savory fare. At Thomas Keller's great Ad Hoc in Napa Valley, there's one menu for the night – which on my night, included a great lentil soup with bacon, and a roasted hunk of top-quality beef with mushrooms and herbs. Hold the fruit, and the meal becomes sublime with a gorgeous, just-rich enough 2005 Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon." Solano Magazine April 2009 Sara Hare "Napa Valley" "Hundred of wineries, several dozens of the nation's best eateries, and breathtaking views everywhere you look. There's no shortage of places to explore, but where does one even begin." Chappellet Vineyard & Winery "1,200 feet about the Napa Valley floor is Chappellet's facilities (built in the same shape as their logomark) and the Pritchard Hill estate vineyards. Chappellet is one of Napa's oldest wineries – the second established in Napa after Prohibition. Tours take you directly into the vineyards and are kept to intimate get-to-know-you groups." Pittsburgh Magazine April 2009 Bruce May "Wine & Spirits" "The first two vintages (1969 and 1970) of cabernet sauvignon wine from Chappellet Vineyard & Winery were exceptional. It wasn't until the 1980s that the wines again matched their earlier success. But in the late-'90s through the 2000 vintages, Chappellet has made monumental cabernet sauvignon wines from Pritchard Hill. The 1997, 1999 and 2001 vintages were my favorites and some of the best wines from California, with the 2004 and 2005 vintages of the same high quality." 2006 Napa Valley Chardonnay "Opens with layers of ripe-apple and pear aromas and flavors with just the right amount of acidity for a balanced finish." 2005 Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 21 "A complex and refined wine with perfectly balanced cassis and black-cherry fruit aromas and flavors with just the right amount of sweet oak and acidity for a smooth and elegant finish." 2004 Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon "A beauty with its ripe-cassis fruit aromas and flavors and vanilla oak in the lush, fruit- driven finish." SRQ: Sarasota's Premier Magazine April 2009 "Wines Like His" "For tea, you go to England. For sake, you go to Japan. For Cabernet Sauvignon, you go to Napa Valley. We've asked local merchants to share their recommendations for a wine similar to that of [Alan] Roer's memorable Cabernet experience. Not surprisingly, each is from Napa." Chappellet 2004 Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon The Times (Frankfort, IN) March 19, 2009 Howard Hewitt "Cabernet is the Wine That Gets Attention" "Cabernet Sauvignon – even the name sounds royal. That's appropriate for a wine often thought of as the King of Red Grapes!… If you want to buy a really good Cabernet for a special occasion, there are many really great Napa Cabs in the $40-$60 range. Joseph Phelps, Cakebread Cellars, and Chappellet are three I have tasted and think are superb. All three are found in better Indiana wine shops." Wine Spectator.com (Also appeared in the June 2009 issue) March 16, 2009 James Laube "Tasting Highlights: 11 Extraordinary California Wines" "Two Chardonnays lead this week's California Tasting Highlights selections. Chappellet and Mueller continue their winning ways with Chardonnay. Napa's Chappellet winery has been hot the past few vintages, and the 2007 Chardonnay is rich and layered." 2007 Napa Valley Chardonnay "Ripe layers of fig, green apple and pear are full-bodied yet elegant, gaining body and richness and ending with a full-blown finish, shaded by nutmeg." 91 Points 7x7 March 2009 Jordan MacKay "Bottle Report: 3 To Drink Now" 2006 Mountain Cuvee "Berries, coffee and earth speak out in this luscious Cab. Great with lamb." Charlotte Food & Wine March 2009 Joe Barsin "Cyril Does Lunch" 22 "Cyril Chappellet and his wife, Blakesly, came to town to present his family's wonderful wines recently – an occasion to be savored by any wine lover. Even better, he cooked up lunch himself." The Jackson Times February 28, 2009 Mountain Cuvee (no vintage listed) "If I had to pick a favorite bottle of wine, I think this would be it. That's a pretty bold statement considering I have a new favorite just about every week, but I always come back to this one. Chappellet describes their Mountain Cuvee as 'pure pleasure in a glass' and honestly, I could not put it any better. Crafted around a core of cabernet sauvignon and merlot, the Mountain Cuvee begins with vibrant plum, alongside notes of rhubarb, spice, clove and vanilla. The mouth is alive with berries, cherries and spicy oak. Smooth and full, this approachable wine offers well- balanced tannins and a long, lingering finish." Wine Spectator February 2009 "A World Wide Search for Values" "Recommended Values" Chappellet Vineyard & Winery "A Napa pioneer with roots in the 1960s, winemaker Phillip Corallo-Titus crafts striking wines, led by outstanding Chardonnay and Merlot and a tightly structured Cabernet that competes with higher-priced reserve versions." Financial Times (U.S. Edition) February 15, 2009 Jancis Robinson "Wine Women on Song" "Carissa Chappellet had been brought up on Bordeaux first growths but her wine-loving father had always made much of the legendary hauteur of those who produced them. This trip shattered that myth for Carissa, who instead found their Bordeaux hosts 'welcoming, generous with their time, open, warm and gracious.' The rockiness of the soils made a big impression on her too, as well as the 'earthiness' of the bouquets of these wines that, while being made from the same grape varieties, tended to be distinctly less alcoholic than those produced in the Napa Valley." Wine Advocate December 31, 2008 – Issue #180 2005 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "Revealing a deeper ruby/purple color as well as a classic bouquet of blueberries, creme de cassis, spring flowers, and background earth, the medium to full-bodied, moderately tannic 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon can be drunk now or cellared for 12-15 years." 90+ Points 2006 Napa Valley Chardonnay "The light straw-colored 2006 Chardonnay exhibits aromas of white peaches and tropical fruits, medium body, and good acidity, but, like many 2006s, it tails off in the mouth. Drink it over the next 1-2 years." 85 Points 23 2005 Napa Valley Merlot "The 2005 Merlot reveals a deep ruby color as well as a sweet nose of jammy black cherries and wood smoke, medium body, and a soft, flavorful, straightforward style. It is best consumed over the next 3-4 years." 89 Points St. Helena Star December 26, 2008 "Napa Valley Stars of 2008" 2007 Napa Valley Chardonnay "In the past year, the St. Helena Star/Napa Valley Vintner's panel of wine tasters has recommended a lot of Napa Valley wines." Annapolis Capital December 3, 2008 Tom Marquardt and Patrick Darr "Chappellet is one of the oldest wineries in Napa Valley, producing respectable wines since 1967. Its vineyards are located high on the eastern slope of the Napa Valley, which the legendary consultant André Tchelistcheff recommended. Although hillside wineries are somewhat common in Napa Valley today, Chappellet was the first to take Tchelistcheff's bold but ultimately wise advice. We are new to Chappellet's wine but recently we tasted two that we felt were noteworthy:" 2006 Napa Valley Chardonnay "A wonderfully expressive nose of lemons, peaches and melons. Delicious in the mouth with a great fruit presence of citrus and ripe tropical fruit, and a nice creamy finish." 2005 Napa Valley Merlot "Intense nose and flavors in this very well crafted Merlot. Nice ripe cherry fruit with cherry flavors in the mouth with hints of smoke. A very nice well-balanced wine." Food & Wine December 2008 Ray Isle "30 Classic New & Value Cabernets" "New boutique wineries often generate the most buzz, but many of Napa Valley's benchmark names, such as Beringer, Chappellet and Spottswoode, are producing wines that are just as good as the latest cult collectible (not to mention much easier to find). This is typically because they either own or have long-term contracts with some of the best vineyards in Napa – one benefit of having gotten into the game first – along with some of the region's top winemaking talent." 2005 Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon "Chappellet was the second Napa Valley winery established following Prohibition and definitely the first on Pritchard Hill, now home to stars like the Colgin and Bryant Family. This Cabernet's currant and plum notes are focused by intense tannins and smoky oak." ************************************************************************ Decanter December 2008 24 "Wines of the Year" "From 3,000 wines tasted in 2008's panel tasting, just 125 won a Decanter award. We list them here:" 2004 Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon "Spicy with dense blackcurrant fruit. Sweet and ripe. Densely fruity, packed with flavor. Complex and interesting, not just another oak and fruit bomb. Long finish. Spicy tobacco, grainy tannins." 5 Stars: Outstanding! Robb Report December 2008 Brett Anderson "From the Robb Cellar: Fine wines & spirits worthy of a place in your private collections" "With the growing popularity of wine collecting, copious wine clubs have cropped up to cater to every oenophilic taste. Whether you have a passion for Priorat or a love of the Loire, a wine club exists to keep your habit amply supplied with the latest releases. Yet relatively few clubs offer members the opportunity to receive older vintages from top producers. Pam and Bruce Boring had this goal in mind when they established the California Wine Club Aged Cabernet Series, a new service of their existing club that delivers superb vintages of Sonoma and Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons that have been aged 10 to 15 years…. Included with each shipment of two different bottles (available on a monthly, bimonthly, or quarterly basis) are current tasting notes from the winemaker on the vintage, as well as the original notes from the year of release. A recent offering was comprised of the elegant Chappellet Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 1995—a dark wine still redolent of wild berries and black cherry." Wine Spectator November 30, 2008 Tim Fish "Editors' Pick" 2005 Napa Valley Merlot "Rich yet sleek. Red currant, bell pepper and mocha aromas lead to complex, well- balanced loam, blueberry and cedar flavors that linger toward compact, ripe tannins." 91 Points. Note: This review also appeared on the Wine Spectator Web site on November 3 Cape Gazette November 17, 2008 John McDonald "Wine recommendations are Fresh From the Mailbag" "My properly cellared, well-aged readers will remember I loved the old-style Chardonnay. Chappellet has brought one to the market. The 2006 Chappellet Vineyard Napa Valley Chardonnay is ripe rich, creamy and pale golden-colored. Plenty of acid and loads of fruit support the ripeness. The very long finish has integrated flavors, including ripe pear, apple and creamy, toasted oak over a long, persistent finish." Wine Spectator November 17, 2008 James Laube 25 "Top 100 Wines of 2008" "Each year, Wine Spectator editors survey the wines we've reviewed over the past 12 months and select the most exciting for our Top 100. In 2008, we reviewed more than 19,500 wines from around the world in blind tasting." # 24 - 2005 Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon "Big, ripe and complex, but light on its feet. An elegant, spicy mix of rich currant, anise, toasty oak, espresso and subtle herbal scents, all of which fold together nicely, ending with a long, persistent finish. Classic: a great wine." 96 Points. Note: The review also appeared in the October 15 issue under the title, "Highly Recommended: The issue's most impressive wines." The review also appeared on the Wine Spectator Web site on July 2 under James Laube's California Cabernet Tasting Highlights. Wine Spectator November 15, 2008 Daniel Sogg "Napa's Changing of the Guard" "Napa Valley is in the throes of a generational transition. Many of the region's signature Cabernet Sauvignon estates, wineries launched in the 1960s and 1970s in the wave of development that shaped the modern industry, are grappling with succession plans, either transferring ownership to the next generation or selling at elevated prices that seemed unthinkable 10 years ago. A number of Napa's leading old-guard Cabernet producers remain under family ownership and want to stay that way, such as Chappellet and…" Wine Spectator November 15, 2008 James Laube "California Cabernet's Win-Win Vintage: High quality marks a big 2005 harvest, with Napa Valley leading the way" "Consider 2005 as the best of both worlds for California Cabernet Sauvignon. It provided a huge crop and also an abundance of great wines. So it's a win-win for Cabernet drinkers. Many of the highest-rated '05s are names familiar to Cab lovers: Chappellet and… In fact, 2005 ranks as the biggest crop of high quality wines since 1997. The crop load in turn required greater vineyard management, thinning and leaf canopy management to rein in the vines' desire to push an even bigger yield. 'The '05 vintage is a poster child for the saying that great wines are made in the vineyard,' says Phillip Corallo-Titus, winemaker at Chappellet." James Laube's Top-Scoring California Cabernets: Chappellet 2005 Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon "An elegant, spicy mix of rich currant, blackberry, wild berry and toasty, cedary oak, with an intense, persistent finish." 96 Points. San Francisco Chronicle November 13, 2008 "The Chronicle's Wine Selections" 2005 Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon "Musky, meaty aromas with dusky plum skin, cassis and a hint of herbal potpourri. A bit 26 of iron and tamarind tang plus chocolate, with dark mineral on the long finish." 2½ Stars: Good to Excellent Charlotte Food & Wine Magazine (Charlotte, NC) October—November 2008 Robert Calvert 2005 Mountain Cuvee "Larry Hanzo, Wine Manager at Total Wine-Park Road, reports that just as there is comfort food, there is comfort wine—smooth, complex, interesting wine that simply tastes wonderful. The Chappellet Mountain Cuvee absolutely fits that description. 'The wine features vivid fruits and rich soft tannins,' Larry says. 'This red blend beautifully expresses the distinctive qualities of the traditional Bordeaux varietals. The aromas and flavors entice with dark berries, ripe plums, and spicy oak. All of this yields a smooth and lingering finish.'" Houston Lifestyles and Homes (Houston, TX) October 2008 Denman Moody "Great Red Wine Values for Fall and Winter" 2005 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "A winery, that for me, has improved with the advent of the second generation (Carissa, Cyril, and Jon-Mark Chappellet). Intense, ripe fruit from Chappellet's renowned Pritchard Hill Vineyard." Gourmet September 2008 Gerald Asher "Recommended Wines" 2005 Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Franc "Wines made from California Cabernet Franc are different from those produced in the Loire. They have the same hint of violets and the same grace, but they are usually bigger, more concentrated, and more powerful… Chappellet's 2005 Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Franc has more Cabernet Sauvignon in its blend, giving it a firmer structure. But it also has the soft tannins of Merlot, so the result is concentrated and powerful." TodayShow.com (MSNBC.com) September 5, 2008 Edward Deitch "20 great wines I drank this summer" 2006 Napa Valley Chardonnay "I thought it would be useful to offer something different for a change, to mention, in brief, 20 wines that stood out over the last few months. As you'll see, the list is diverse in terms of variety, region and price, but all the wines were impressive in their own ways and deserve to be on this 'highly recommended' list. To start things off, I sampled a fair number of wines from California and did so, as always, with an eye toward wines that have good balance and interest and are not over-the-top in terms of alcohol or oak. Classic and refreshing." 27 USA Today August 14, 2008 Jerry Shriver "The Wine List" "Every so often I like to recalibrate what I call my pleasure index. I examine my recent drinking habits and ask myself which types of wine truly knock my socks off and are worthy of occasional high-end purchases, and which are best enjoyed only at a lower price. To begin this process, I conducted a simple tasting of domestic (mostly California) Chardonnays… Here are the wines that caught my attention:" 2006 Napa Valley Chardonnay Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wines August 2008 – Volume 32 Issue 10 Charles Olken 2005 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "Young, deep direct and promising, this cassis-scented bottling offers aromas that are still in the nascent phase of development. Not surprisingly, the wine is tight and tannin on the palate, but it is also well-focused and awaits some patient cellaring to open up and reveal its full, layered personality." 90 Points Colorado Wine News (Denver, CO) July—September 2008 Harold J. Baer, Jr 2005 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "The 2005 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon has an unusual nose of salty maple bacon and chocolate fudge before flavors of raspberry, maple bacon, and chocolate syrup laced with fine tannin and nice acidity. Everything carries through the medium-broad, medium- long finish. Unusual. Well balanced, structured, and integrated." 2005 Napa Valley Merlot "The 2005 Napa Valley Merlot has aromas of bloody beef, black raspberry, and smoky oak before flavors of black raspberry, some beef blood, cocoa powder, and smoky oak laced with moderate tannin. It finishes medium-broad and medium-long. Well balanced, structured, and integrated. Tasty." Decanter July 2008 Hugh Johnson "New World Greats to Lay Down" "Decanter asked eight experts to each recommend five ageworthy types to lay down next to all the Bordeaux. Here's what they came up with:" Hugh Johnson's recommendation: "Chappellet and… are the Californian wines I buy most often." 2005 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "Hard to find, but Donn Chappellet admires Latour and has got remarkably close at times in his vineyard high on Pritchard Hill in St. Helena." Wine Review Online July 22, 2008 Robert Whitley 28 2005 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "I confess I've always had a fondness for the Cabernet Sauvignon from Chappellet… This is a more subdued, earthy Napa Cabernet than most, reminding me of my earliest experiences tasting Bordeaux of the Graves district. These wines are of a kind, sleek and together and never fully expressing their underlying complexity and depth until the years — 10, 12, 15 — have passed. You can be patient with this superb 2005 Chappellet Signature Cabernet, which expresses itself with a rich cassis and blackberry nose, something that just cries out Cabernet. It's full-bodied and slightly sweet, with well- measured wood notes and a hint of spice. If you should open this wine in its youth, do yourself a favor and serve it with a thick, juicy steak." 90 Points. Wine Review Online July 9, 2008 Robert Whitley 2006 Napa Valley Chardonnay "Like so many Napa Valley Chardonnays, this vintage of Chappellet has immediate appeal. It is rich and mouth-filling, with an oily texture that is supported by bold, ripe fruit flavors of pear and baked apple, lifted by bright acidity that gives the wine life and definition. The nose is attractive, expressing aromas of brioche and a bit of caramel/butterscotch nuance that makes me think they must have used really good oak. This one's a real crowd-pleaser that should satisfy those who prefer some fat in their Chardonnay and those who crave mouth-watering acidity. It has a bit of both." 90 Points. Chicago Tribune June 25, 2008 Bill Daley "California Classics" 2005 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "From Napa Valley, this cab has a smoky, tobacco aroma and lots of peppery berry flavor. Velvety texture. Serve with grilled chicken, duck breast with a tart cherry sauce, or bison burgers." 3 Corkscrews: Very Good. Wine Spectator June 15, 2008 James Laube 2006 Napa Valley Chardonnay "A rich, creamy, yet elegant wine, with a seamless mix of ripe pear, apple and creamy, toasty oak flavors that provide a nice balance between fruit and oak. Has a long, persistent finish." 92 Points. San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, CA) June 13, 2008 "The Chronicle Wine Panel Selections" 2005 Mountain Cuvee "Winemaker Phillip Corallo-Titus blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and a little Petit Verdot. Slight floral and cinnamon hints boost juicy plum, cherry and pencil lead aromas. More layering on palate with bright acidity and grippy tannins nicely wrapped up in vanilla mocha." 2 Stars: Good. 29 San Antonio Express-News (San Antonio, TX) June 11, 2008 Bonnie Walker "Nice reds for that Father's Day steak" "We asked local wine sellers for some recommendations for out-of-the-ordinary wines." 2005 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "This is a 'very big, classic Napa cab,' says wine seller Will Lynch. Not one of your overpriced Napa cabs, the wine shows 'an interesting chocolate-mocha flavor and pairs great with food.' The winemaker keeps this wine at the $50 price point, but by its quality it would probably still sell at $75 or more. 'It's one of our best-selling wines,' he says." Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar May/June 2008 Stephen Tanzer 2005 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "Bright ruby-red. Black raspberry, plum, mocha, musky espresso, leather and game on the nose. Big, chewy and rich, with sweet, pliant, moderately intense flavors of dark berries, plum jam, cherry, mocha and oak, plus a light element of game. Finishes with dusty, oak-driven tannins, an herbal nuance and good length." 88 Points. Wine Spectator May 31, 2008 James Laube 2005 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "Tightly wound, well-focused, intense and concentrated, with a dusty berry and spicy, leathery edge that sits on the palate and ends up dominating the flavor and texture." 88 Points. Wine Review Online May 20, 2008 Paul Lukacs 2005 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "Firmly structured, with noticeable (but not painfully astringent) tannins, this wine seems classically styled, meaning restrained rather than super rich, and harmonious rather than heavy. It is very nicely balanced, and deliciously long on the palate." 90 Points. Wine Review Online May 13, 2008 Michael Apstein 2005 Napa Valley Merlot "This saturated, powerful Merlot focuses on black — rather than the red — fruit flavors. Smoky, toasty and gamey notes emerge from the dense fruit and add a needed exotic element. Despite almost 15% alcohol, it is balanced and not over the top." 90 Points. 2005 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "Similar to Chappellet's 2005 Merlot, their Cabernet is a classy young wine. A gentle toastiness — from oak aging — compliments rather than overwhelms the ripe black fruit- like flavors. Polished, fine tannins lend needed structure without assaulting the palate." 92 Points. 30 Wine & Spirits Magazine April 2008 "19th Annual Restaurant Poll" "For our annual Restaurant Poll, we survey America's favorite restaurants, a list compiled from more than 40 Zagat Survey restaurant guides nationwide. We don't focus on the restaurants most acclaimed for their wine lists or their food, though many of these are included. Instead, we hold to the restaurants chosen by Zagat Survey's thousands of restaurant reviewers as the ones they enjoy the most." Most Popular Cabernet Sauvignons: #29 - Chappellet Vineyard & Winery. Wine Review Online April 30, 2008 Paul Lukacs and Marguerite Thomas 2006 Napa Valley Chardonnay "Wine with Salpicón" "Rich and ripe, with bright peach, mango and even pineapple fruit flavors, all enhanced by just the right touch of creamy vanilla from oak aging, this Chardonnay worked well because it tasted so generous and so well-balanced. Many Chards made in this opulent style can seem excessive. Not this one." New Jersey Star-Ledger April 30, 2008 T.J. Foderaro Q: "I used to enjoy a white wine called Chappellet Chenin Blanc, but I haven't seen it for quite a few years. Do they still make it?" A: "No and yes. No, they're not making any right now. That's because a few years ago, the Chappellet winery decided to replant their Chenin Blanc vineyard mostly with cabernet sauvignon, a prestigious red grape variety that commands much higher prices than Chenin Blanc. Fortunately for us -- I'm a long-time fan of Chappellet chenin myself -- the winery also planted some new Chenin Blanc vines, which should start bearing wine-quality fruit for the 2009 vintage, according to Cyril Chappellet, who heads sales and marketing and is the son of founder Donn Chappellet. So, have patience. And while you're waiting for the next generation chenin blanc, you might want to try some of Chappellet's other wines. I've been tasting them for years, and they've never been better. The 2006 Chappellet Napa Valley Chardonnay is about as rich and sophisticated as chardonnay gets. It's a full-bodied white that hasn't been distorted by too much oak aging, a common weakness of California chardonnays. It's not cheap - - about $25 -- but it's the real thing. Chappellet's real strength, however, is red wine -- specifically, Bordeaux-like blends of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and a few other varieties. 31 A fine example is the 2005 Mountain Cuvee, a finely wrought red defined by heady fruit aromas, layers of flavor and a polished texture that can match up with just about any food you like. At $25, it's among the very best cabernet-based wines from California I've tried for under $40. Chappellet has long been recognized as a pioneer of Napa Valley cabernet, but the winery continues to improve quality by focusing almost exclusively on Bordeaux grape varieties -- chardonnay and Chenin Blanc being the two exceptions – and by replanting its renowned Pritchard Hill estate one section at a time. This has given winemaker Phillip Corallo-Titus the raw ingredients he needs to turn out consistently excellent reds, from a $30 Merlot that's as good as any in its price range to a $125 Reserve Cabernet that's as good as it gets -- and a lot cheaper, believe it or not, than many other Reserve Cabernets these days." The Capital Times April 21, 2008 Michael Muckian 2005 Mountain Cuvee "Time for a toast for the Spirited Glass" "Editor's note: This is the final installment of Michael Muckian's Spirited Glass column to appear in The Capital Times. A new iteration will bubble up May 1 under the same byline in the first edition of 77 Square, the new TCT arts and entertainment publication. The Spirited Glass began its journey one Saturday in August 2005...The column concluded the first leg of its journey last week with a chat and glass of red estate-grown wine with Cyril Chappellet, a second-generation family member and co-owner of Chappellet Winery in California's Napa Valley. After 136 weeks, and a few lost weekends, what have we learned? First...And secondly, that 40-year-old Chappellet, with its lovely hillside vineyards, was a winery we wished we'd discovered years earlier. Its Mountain Cuvee is one the best entry-level wines we've ever tasted." The Capital Times (Madison, WI) April 12, 2008 Michael Muckian "Winemaker Thrives on Hillside Vineyard" "Cyril Chappellet understands the difference between a very good wine and a great wine, and the true definition is not at all affected by media hype. 'A very good wine is extremely well balanced, with excellent fruit and the capability to age gracefully and get better as it gets older,' said Chappellet, part of the second generation ownership of the Napa Valley winery that bears his name. All those elements, along with an exceptional capacity when paired with food, are elements that can set a wine apart from the competition. 'But the best of the best? That's a matter of nuance,' said Chappellet, one of the winery's three operational directors. 'A wine that smells yummy, then follows through with those characteristics enhanced on the palate, is a wine that really rocks.' 32 Chappellet Winery has been making French Bordeaux varietals and blends for the past 40 years, ever since Cyril's father Donn sold his interest in Interstate United Vending, a public company he co-founded with a partner, left Southern California in the mid-1960s with his wife Molly and five of their eventual six offspring and moved to Napa. The Chappellets bought land on the side of Pritchard Hill just east of Rutherford and now own 700 acres, 100 acres of which are planted with Bordeaux grapes, with an additional 100 acres of grapes planted on a neighboring property. The estate acreage encompasses a plot that has held vineyards as far back as the 1850s, according to survey records. 'My dad was convinced that you could make higher quality wine from hillside vineyards, with natural stressing of the vines coming through thinner soils and less water,' said Chappellet. 'This was in 1967, before anyone was really doing that.' The soil on Pritchard Hill contains an unusually high share of porous volcanic rock, thought to have come from eruptions of what formerly had been a 14,000-foot-high volcano in the Stag's Leap region of Napa Valley. The amount of rock differs based on whether the soil content is composed of volcanic rubble or magma flows from the volcano's slopes. In both cases, soil conditions provide interesting 'opportunities' for Chappellet's vines, resulting in deeper roots, hardier fruit and richer, fuller-bodied wines. 'Water will always be an issue for us,' Chappellet said. 'Our challenge is that we keep as much soil as possible from washing off our property.' The vintners also practice sustainable farming methods, resulting in a wine estate of which 53 percent is certified organic. Chappellet doesn't practice the more unusual methods of biodynamic farming -- fertilizer is not stuffed in hollowed-out cow horns and buried by the light of the moon, for example. Much of the organic emphasis, in fact, falls more along the lines of a stewardship role designed to maintain the integrity of the land and its viability for future generations of Chappellets who will someday take over operations of the winery. 'It's a ton more handwork, but I think the wines are better for it,' he added. The resulting wines support Chappellet's assertion, and the vineyard's output routinely earns top marks in various prestigious wine publications. Public awareness has helped drive up a wine's price and appeal, Chappellet said, and good critical notice can sometimes create a cult following of wines from vineyards with smaller yields and unique approaches. 'For the most part, the value of wine is completely subjective,' Chappellet said. 'Its value is largely determined by what you happen to like to the point where you will pay almost any amount to get it.' With a 25,000- to 30,000-case annual yield, Chappellet may be too big to be considered a boutique property, but it's far smaller than nearby Robert Mondavi Winery, which 33 produces upwards of 9 million cases every year, Chappellet said. However, the winery has found success in the middle ground, still adhering to Donn Chappellet's original yield model to produce its award-winning wines. And the quality shows in the wines currently on the market. Chappellet wines, a showcase for the influences of their rocky, volcanic terroir, are largely rich, complex reds that echo and magnify the influence of their French forbearers. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah dominate, with a complex Chardonnay made entirely from fruit grown in California's Carneros region rounding out the portfolio. The winery also produces a Cabernet Franc, a varietal not often seen outside of a blend and the progenitor of the more familiar, meatier Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet Franc has more perfume and brighter fruit that, in Chappellet's winemakers' hands, yield a wine redolent of dark fruits, spice and chocolate, with a sense of earth and forest on the back of the palate. Chappellet's Signature Series Cabernet Sauvignon arrives with similar sensation, flavors of cherry and plum balanced by a light toasted oak. The finish, long and smooth, ends with a subtle refinement born of well-rounded tannins. Chappellet's top wine, the Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, hits squarely amid the 'nuances' category that characterizes great wine. Harmony among fruit and tannins, as well as body and spirit, is this wine's unifying characteristic, and an intense combination of flavors from black cherry to roasted coffee, with dashes of anise, vanilla and nutmeg in between, brings a vibrancy to the wine that cause the flavors to dance on the palate. 'We really do make some great wines,' said Chappellet. It's a boast you'd expect from a vintner. In this case, however, it's true." Wine Review Online April 8, 2008 Michael Franz 2005 Napa Valley Merlot "Approachably soft without lacking for grip or structure, this is an intelligently-styled Merlot that will serve many purposes. Fruit notes of dark cherries and black plums are quite appealing, with very little overt oak and just a bit of accenting from scents of dried herbs. Soft enough to sip as a cocktail but sufficiently substantial to hold its own with moderately robust foods, this is tasty and versatile." 88 Points. 2005 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "A seriously impressive Cabernet from Napa that is thankfully still priced below the $50 line, this features intense, concentrated fruit recalling blackberries and cassis. Oak notes are prominent, with toasty aromatic notes and a bit of added firmness in the finish from wood tannins, but the balance between oak and fruit is still just right, as the wine can be enjoyed now but will still develop in positive ways for another five years." 90 Points. Creative Loafing (Charlotte, NC) March 18, 2008 Taylor Eason 34 2006 Napa Valley Chardonnay "Recommended Wine" "Fills the mouth with fresh, sugar-strewn peaches and cream. Definitely rich, but not overwhelming, with firm acidity that can stand up to food, no problem." 4 out of 5 Stars. Wine Spectator Insider March 12, 2008 James Laube 2006 Napa Valley Chardonnay "Rich and smoky, with complex, detailed, bold flavors built around layers of ripe fig, apple, melon and floral scents, keeping a tight focus and then turning elegant and supple on the finish, with wonderful detail." 92 Points. Decanter January 2008 David Wainwright 2004 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "Ripe redcurrant jam and vanilla oak nose. Fresh, modern style. Vanilla and cassis jam. Nicely balanced. Warm, spicy finish." 3 stars: Recommended. Decanter January 2008 "Decanter Award Winners" 2004 Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon "Spicy with dense blackcurrant fruit. Sweet and ripe. Densely fruity, packed with flavor. Complex and interesting, not just another oak and fruit bomb. Long finish. Spicy tobacco, grainy tannins. Excellent." 5 Stars: Outstanding. Wine Spectator January 15, 2008 "Top 100 Wines of 2007" "Wine Spectator editors reviewed more than 15,000 newly released wines in 2007. From this pool, we chose the Top 100. These are the year's most noteworthy wines, based on four criteria: high score, large production, value pricing and an X-factor we like to call excitement. We recommend these wines as outstanding representatives of their types." 2004 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "The rocky soils of Pritchard Hill above Napa Valley produce some of the region's most collectible wines, and Chappellet, founded in 1967, is one of the area's established producers. The warm, consistent growing season combined with strict control of the crop allowed winemaker Phillip Corallo-Titus to produce this graceful yet complex wine." #27 - 93 Points. The Santa Rosa Press Democrat January 2, 2008 "Wine of the Week" 2005 Napa Valley Chardonnay "Rich, ripe, showy. Full-bodied and balanced. A big style of chardonnay, with tropical notes of banana and fig. Medium complexity. Vibrant." 4 Stars: Highly Recommended. 35 Food & Wine Magazine's Wine Guide 2008 Jamal A. Rayyis 2004 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "Donn Chappellet is responsible for another excellent wine, full of red berry, toasted oak and tobacco flavors. Top-notch of its type." 3 Stars: Excellent. 2005 Napa Valley Chardonnay "Round and crisp, with pineapple, lemon and light oak. Top-notch of its type " 3 Stars: Excellent. Wine Advocate December 28, 2007—Issue 174 Robert Parker 2004 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon "More floral, black currant, blackberry, graphite, and charcoal scents jump from the glass of the 2004 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon. Silky-textured with nicely integrated wood, plenty of créme de cassis, licorice, and spring flower characteristics, this full-bodied, opulent Cabernet is broader and denser than the Merlot, but seamlessly constructed. This beauty should drink handsomely for 15 or more years." 93 Points. 2004 Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon "The full-bodied 2004 Pritchard Hill Estate Proprietary Red boasts a sensational inky/ruby/purple color to the rim as well as broad, rich, crème de cassis, licorice, graphite, and spice-like flavors, and a tannic finish. While approachable, it will benefit from several years of bottle age, and should age gracefully for two decades." 94 Points. 2004 Napa Valley Merlot "In spite of the misplaced unpopularity of Merlot among American wine consumers, Chappellet's 2004 Merlot is an outstanding example of this varietal. Beautiful flowery, plum, blueberry, and black cherry flavors cascade over the palate with not a hard edge to be found. Medium to full-bodied, with complex aromatics, sweet tannin, and a long finish, this opulent, Pomerol-like red should be consumed over the next 10-12 years." 91 Points. Newsday December 5, 2007 Peter Gianotti 2004 Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon "Big, intense cabernet, rounded out with some Petit Verdot and merlot, this California wine has a Bordeaux quality. Heady with black fruit, with notes of cedar, and mellow tannins. It will age for years." Wine Spectator November 30, 2007 James Laube "Recommended California Merlots" 2004 Napa Valley Merlot "Bold, rich and concentrated, with ripe, focused currant, blackberry, cedar and spice aromas that fill out on the palate." 90 Points. 36


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Palm Beach Convention Center, West Palm BeachJoin us as we present some of the areas top businesses in Palm Beach County currently hiring. We guarantee a position is awaiting you. Admission is FREE! Parking is FREE to the first 100 vehicles...
West Palm Beach education campus events
Job Fair of the Palm Beaches
Wednesday, Sep 3 10:00a
Bridgestone Teens Drive Smart Driving Experience
Saturday, Sep 27 8:30a
South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center, West Palm BeachThe Bridgestone Teens Drive Smart Driving Experience is a free, half-day program designed to equip teens and young adults with the skills to handle the challenges of today's roadways...
Northwood University 35th Annual Outstanding Business Leader Awards Gala
Saturday, Feb 7 6:30p
The Breakers Palm Beach, Palm BeachAbout the Outstanding Business Leader Award: The award recognizes men and women for their business achievements and for their exemplary leadership in their local communities...
Preschool Story Time: Fire Prevention Day
Thursday, Oct 9 10:30a
The Society of the Four Arts, Palm BeachStory time is officially back. Join us as we team up with Palm Beach Fire Rescue for the first story time of the season...
JHS Ag. Dept. Plant Sale
Saturday, Sep 13 8:00a
Jupiter Community High School, JupiterJupiter High School Agriculture Department plant sale featuring over 100 varieties of plants including tropical fruit trees, shrubs and trees along with many native plants such as cocoplum, Myrsine...
Max Planck Florida Career Panel
Thursday, Sep 18 6:00p
Kiddies Morning Out
Saturday, Sep 6 11:00a
The Jewish Camp of the Arts, North Palm BeachBring the kiddies to JCA for a free, special morning out on the first Saturday of the month for active learning and creative play. Jumping on the bed will always make a child's fun meter hit red...
FREE Job Interviewing Skills Class Every Friday 12pm-1pm
Friday, Sep 5 12:00p
Medical Institute of Palm Beach, Inc., GreenacresLearn the skills you need to do an effective job interview. Ever wonder why you didn't get the job??? Learn the keys to a successful job interview...
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino to Host Food & Beverage Job Fairs
Thursday, Sep 4 10:00a
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, HollywoodSeminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood will hire over 100 new team members over the course of two job fairs...
NSU's Alvin Sherman Library presents: Cine Argentino – Dedicated to Cuba
Sunday, Sep 7 2:00p
Historic Curci House Tours
Saturday, Sep 6 11:00a
Hallandale Beach Curci House, Hallandale BeachVisit the Historic home of Frank and Rosina Curci, 324 SW 2nd Avenue, Hallandale Beach, on the first Saturday of each month, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m...
Presidential Inaugural Scholarship Gala
Saturday, Oct 4 7:00p
Florida Memorial University, Miami GardensWe invite you to join us for Inaugural Events highlighting the appointment of Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, J.D. Ed.D., 13th President and first woman appointed to the position...
Miami Lakes Toastmasters
Tuesday, Sep 2 7:00p
Miami Lakes Technological High School, Miami LakesThe ability to be a great public speaker is essential to anyone's professional development. We can cultivate your abilities in listening, thinking, speaking and leadership skills...
Jewish refugees in Lisbon: How some escaped the Holocaust
Monday, Sep 8 7:00p
Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU, Miami BeachFleeing the chaos of World War II, some Jews sought refuge in Portugal, where they faced challenges of culture shock and politics...
Integrating Mental Health in Primary Care
Saturday, Sep 6 7:00a
InterContinental Miami, MiamiProgram to expand knowledge and boost treatment confidence and competence related to mental illness...
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Baan Silom Soi 3: Boutique Accommodation
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Travel Blogs from Bangkok
Bangkok (Part 1)
... for about $1.33. After that I walked around the streets for a while, stopped in at Terminal 21 to try to find a pair of sandals but to no avail. Instead I ended up buying a cheap pair of cotton shorts which ripped a few days later. It was just nice to be back in Thailand. Everyone is friendly, the food and beer are good and cheap, and the weather is awesome. Sometimes you just have to enjoy being somewhere. After a nice day out, I ...
Another day in Bangkok
... side of the dual carriageway was closed to traffic which meant the other side was two way and some traffic going the wrong way around the roundabout. Popped into the Royal hotel-doesn't appear to have changed from when we stayed there in 2006 as part of our explore trip spirit of Laos ( they obviously still stay there!). Looks even more tired and in need of lots of tlc. Crossed Sanam Luang and past the Grand Palace to Navy cafe for mango sticky rice University - 55. Architecture ...
... As we were walking to the station we came across the demonstrators and thier camp site. They had tents pitched in the main street and lively music playing on a makeshift stage from a put together band that produced an all together carnival type feeling to it all. If you see it on the news we are the ones behind the chap waving an enormous flag. Yes Okay we did all the things we woud tell the kids not to do and had fun doing it !!!!!
The Temple of Wat Traimit and its Golden Buddha!
... Buddha, the world's largest solid gold statue, was just like what I've seen on pictures. Amazing! However, being here in person to see it with my very own eyes was even more exciting! But, if you really want to know, just knowing the story behind it made it even more intriguing! So here it goes.
The origin of this statue remains uncertain but it ...
One night in Bangkok and the world's gone crazy
... and our jovial skipper steered the rudder through the bangkok canals, slowing down for photo opportunities along the way. We weren't massively impressed with the tour all in all to be honest as he didn't actually speak! And most of the canals were lined with the poorest shacks with families happily waving at us as we sailed past, expensive cameras in hand, rather than the beautiful heritage temples. Pretty sobering trip you might say. ...
How has this hotel rated in the past?
- Room service
- Wheelchair accessibility


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LOS ANGELES (KTLA) -- Six medical marijuana dispensaries have filed lawsuits against the city of Los Angeles for what they claim is a "game of chance" when it comes to giving out operating licenses.
Wednesday's filings brings the number of legal challenges to the city's plan to eight.
The ordinance uses a random drawing to select 100 dispensaries that would be allowed to remain open.
The dispensaries, identified as Downtown Natural Caregivers, God's Gift, Kush Korner V, Medical Kush Beach Club, New Era Caregivers and Safe Life Caregivers, claim the plan violates their constitutional rights and want the courts to halt any further moves by the city.
City officials are currently in the middle of an appeal with the Los Angeles County Superior Court over the ordinance but are still intent on moving forward with the lottery system.
Pot Dispensaries Sue Over Lottery Plan
Eight lawsuits are now active against the city ordinance.
Marijuana plants and packaged products (L.A. County Sheriff's Dept.)
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