2008 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon "Pritchard Hill"

Winery: Chappellet

Vintage: 2008

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Pritchard Hill"

Wine Category: Cabernet Sauvignon

Grape blend: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Petit Verdot & 8% Malbec

Region: Napa Valley

State or country: CA

Price: $135

Cases produced: 2,309

KWG Score: 92.8 (based on 5 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (92)

Review date: November 25, 2011

Wine Review: This opaque and very dark purple colored Cabernet opens with a fragrant ripe blackberry bouquet with a hint of cranberry, vanilla oak and leather. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced, and very smooth. The flavor profile is a mild black currant with integrated oak, dark chocolate, and plum. The finish is dry and its tasty tannins are sticky. The panel suggested pairing this Cab with a dry aged rib eye steak with a brown mushroom sauce. Enjoy – KWGTP

Winemaker Notes: This exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon is a testament to the mountain terroir of Pritchard Hill and the exacting viticultural methods applied to its cultivation. Our 2008 Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon was blended from a selection of the finest grapes from our most storied vineyard blocks. The result is a rich and multifaceted wine offering ripe fruit aromas of blackberry, dark cherry and cola that flow from the glass. Dark chocolate and espresso notes add depth and definition to the fruit, while spicy oak aromas of cinnamon, clove and brown sugar contribute lively top notes to the wine’s charming personality. The palate is rich and mouthcoating, with lingering sweet berry supported by hints of cedar and anise, which add an intriguing counterpoint to the fleshy texture. The tannins are seamlessly integrated, making this a wine with excellent aging potential.

Organic status: not organic

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