2006 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon "Pritchard Hill Estate"

Winery: Chappellet

Vintage: 2006

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Pritchard Hill Estate"

Wine Category: Cabernet Sauvignon

Grape blend: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot, 9% Merlot & 3% Malbec

Region: Napa Valley

State or country: CA

Price: $135

Cases produced: 1,550

KWG Score: 95.3 (based on 3 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (91)

Review date: December 9, 2009

Wine Review: This slightly opaque and dark ruby colored Cab opens with a very fragrant black raspberry and black cherry bouquet with hints of oak and a little earthiness. On the palate, this wine is full bodied, nicely balanced, velvety, and rich. The flavor profile is a spicy black cherry with notes of anise and oak. The finish is dry and its tingly tannins linger for quite sometime. The panel felt this Cab would perform best in the near term with a NY strip steak with a hollandaise sauce. Enjoy – KWGTP

Winemaker Notes: Blended using the most exceptional fruit from our finest vineyard blocks, this wine seamlessly balances intense berry fruit with rich tannins and mouthfeel. Concentrated aromas of black cherry, blackberry and plum give way to enticing layers of dark chocolate, espresso and smoke. On the palate, dark berry and currant elements flow into flavors of caramel, cocoa and coffee before concluding with elegant notes of French oak, brown sugar and molasses. To add even greater depth and complexity to the powerful core of Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine was blended with our most expressive selections of Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec.

Organic status: not organic