Chappellet Merlot 2016
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Winemaker Notes
From its enticing aromas of black tea, cherry, cedar, and smoke to its silky richness and long, complex finish, this wine shows why Chappellet loves mountain-grown Merlot. On the palate, a core of black cherry is encircled by layers of dark chocolate, currant, cassis, and graphite, as well as oak-inspired hints of vanilla, clove, and spice.
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Wine & Spirits
A clear line of fresh cherry flavor drives this wine, rosy and plump, its fragrance lifted by the tart redapple- skin melding of acidity and tannins that gives it a lilting impression of birdsong. The alcohol stands out in the end, suggesting that you wait six months for the structure to integrate. Or serve it cellar temperature now with steak tartare.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2016 Chappellet Merlot is beautiful and vibrant. TASTING NOTES: This wine exhibits Merlot elegance. Pair its aromas and flavors of tart berries, black fruits, and chalk with Pad Ga Pao—a Thai dish, also known as Holy Basil Chicken. (Tasted: May 19, 2019, San Francisco, CA)
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Wine Enthusiast
There is 10% Malbec, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot in this wine, which represents a refined and complex expression of the grape from a mountain site. Smoky oak meets black cherry, leather, dark chocolate and a touch of dried herb—flavors that accent a balance of tannin and structure. —V.B.
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2019-
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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.