Chappellet Merlot 2019
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This lovely wine draws you in with its complex aromas of dark berry, briary spice, anise, clove, cedar chest and black tea. On the palate, silky tannins add depth and length to luxurious flavors of black plum, cherry, dark chocolate, and roasted coffee, all of which glide to a warm, rich finish.
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Blended with smaller portions of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Petit Verdot, the Merlot grapes for this wine hail from mountain and hillside plantings; their dense and powerful character is balanced by an elegant mouthfeel and flavor profile thanks to winemaker Phillip Corallo-Titus' blending skills. Dark chocolate and black cherry sweep across the palate like a sailing cruiser on a serene sea. Suede tannins are lightly grained, and boysenberry preserves and cinnamon add zing to the lengthy finish. Aged for 22 months in 40% new French oak barrels.
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Wine Enthusiast
Serious in structure and handsomely oaked, this dense, deep and spicy wine is worth saving for a special occasion. Black cherries, blackberries, pencil shavings and espresso fill the aromas and flavors, while abundant velvety tannins shape the mouthfeel and extend the finish.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2019 Chappellet Merlot is perky and alive on the palate. TASTING NOTES: This wine burst with aromas and flavors of savory spices, dried earthy notes, bright red fruits, and hints of sandalwood. Pair it with pan-fried pork chops topped with Dijon mustard. (Tasted: February 13, 2023, San Francisco, CA)
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The Chappellets' romance with Pritchard Hill began when Donn and Molly Chappellet first glimpsed the mountain's spectacular vistas in the late 1960s. Inspired by the notion that Bacchus loves the hills, Donn and Molly followed the advice of legendary winemaker André Tchelistcheff and settled on the rocky eastern slopes of the Napa Valley. There, on the mountain’s serene and picturesque hillsides, the Chappellets established their home and winery, raising their children and cultivating the vineyards.
Since being founded by Donn and Molly in 1967, Chappellet has earned acclaim championing the robust power and complexity of wines crafted from mountain grapes. At the same time, Chappellet has helped to establish Pritchard Hill as one of California’s most revered winegrowing sites. To honor the mountain's rich, expressive character, the winemaking team focuses on creating extraordinary, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignons that embody the intensity and finesse of fruit from Pritchard Hill.
As Napa Valley’s third most planted grape, Napa Valley Merlot shows time and time again its potential to produce exceptional results. Napa’s vaunted combination of climate, soil and the human factor of winemaking expertise lead to big, ripe, cellar-worthy and world-class versions.
Whether made by itself in single varietal bottlings or as an important role in Bordeaux Blends, Merlot continues a prominent role in this famous region. While Cabernet typically takes the lead role, Merlot’s contribution—even at 10% to 20% or so—is significant indeed. Often described as “the flesh on Cabernet’s bones,” Merlot lends a soft, round and plush character that beautifully complements Cabernet’s linear, full-throttle structure. Its flavors of plums plus subtle herbs and mint also dovetail nicely with Cabernet’s blackberry and cassis.