2017 CHAPPELLET MOUNTAIN CUVEE PROPRIETARY RED

With the number of wineries in Napa Valley making Proprietary Red Blends using Bordeaux varieties, they can be somewhat difficult to choose from… Of course, Chappellet makes that decision easy for anybody that’s tasted their Mountain Cuvée, which in 2017 includes each of the Big Five Bordeaux Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc, Merlot, Petite Verdot and Malbec.  The blend even incorporates fruit from their iconic Estate Vineyard on Pritchard Hill.  Many wine lovers consider Pritchard Hill to be the most elite sub-region in the Napa Valley and it has been hailed by some as Napa’s Grand Cru. Chappellet was one of the first wineries in Napa Valley to plant vineyards on the rocky, high-elevation hillsides, following the advice of renowned winemaker André Tchelistcheff.  The wine was composed superstar winemaker Phillip Titus, who’s been with Chappellet for nearly 30 years.  At $33/btl this Bordeaux inspired blend has some of the most bang for the buck in the wine world…

Phillip created  this blend in a lush, forward, crowd-pleasing style that envelopes your senses in rich Mountainous fruit, spices and vanilla.  With Cabernet Sauvignon as the dominant grape, the 2017 is finely focused, brilliantly concentrated, and on the palate, the wine’s hallmark velvety embrace comes dressed with provocative black cherries, ripe blueberries, dried violets and cocoa.  I highly recommend a case of the new release.