2009 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Signature

95 POINTS

Jonathan Cristaldi - Decanter

At 15 years of age, the 2009 Signature is at the stage where secondary and tertiary notes are just starting to come into play. Tasting it with winemaker Phillip Corallo-Titus at Chappellet, he commented that the Merlot, which is at 9% in this blend, shows up in the wine with a red note that we describe as rum-raisin, which softens the wine nicely and gives us a kind of Bordeaux-like aroma'. Excellent growing conditions marked the season, and harvest ended on 12th October because a massive rainstorm was expected on 13th October, and it came, ushering in 15 cm of rain. In the glass, the 2009 was incredibly perfumed with that sweet, rum-raisin fruit I often describe as kirsch, and it was complemented by rich, loamy earth notes nuanced by mountain garrigue. It is such a beautifully soft and warming wine on the palate, imbued with structured tannins that have seamlessly integrated a bewildering depth of fruit character. It grabs ahold of the palate with a warming richness and spice quality that lingers through the exceedingly long finish for about 60 seconds, revealing notes of red currants, spiced plums and prunes, and layered with red-leaf tobacco, cedarwood, and molten mineral notes. A splash of 4% Petit Verdot rounds out the blend.

93 POINTS

Wine Enthusiast

Another terrific Signature Cabernet from Chappellet. This has primary blackberry and cherry-jam flavors, with an additional note of toasty oak. The tannins and acids are excellent, lending structure to the richness. The result is a wonderfully-complex Napa Cabernet that should develop over the next six years.

93 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Signature is another striking wine. The 2009 doesn't have the bombastic fruit of the 2010, instead, it stands out for the silkiness of its tannin and pure length. The 2009 Signature is classy and refined from the very first taste. All the elements are beautifully in place in this mid-weight Cabernet. The 2009 is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Malbec, 9% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot.

92 POINTS

Stephen Tanzer - Vinous

Medium ruby-red. Complex, varietally expressive aromas of cassis, black cherry, minerals, tobacco and chocolate, plus a light leafy element. Suave but tightly wound, with lovely energy and mountain power to its medicinal black fruit and menthol flavors. In a fairly dry style, showing little easy sweetness and finishing with substantial mouthcoating tannins. This will need a good six to eight years to expand in bottle.

92 POINTS

Joe Czerwinski - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Sourced from mountain vineyards, like Stagecoach, Edcora and others, Chappellet's 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Signature comes across as slightly overdone, with leathery fruit, dried black cherries and smoky-meaty nuances on the nose. It's full-bodied, creamy and ripe, with a supple but abbreviated finish. Drink up.

92 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Signature is another striking wine. The 2009 doesn’t have the bombastic fruit of the 2010, instead, it stands out for the silkiness of its tannin and pure length. The 2009 Signature is classy and refined from the very first taste. All the elements are beautifully in place in this mid-weight Cabernet. The 2009 is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Malbec, 9% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2029. Today Pritchard Hill seems to be the place everyone wants to be in Napa Valley. The Chappellets were the first to recognize the value and potential of these pristine mountain sites above St. Helena. In addition to making noteworthy wines, the Chappellets were also very smart to trademark the Pritchard Hill name. Unfortunately, that means no other winery can use the designation ‘Pritchard Hill’ on their labels. If Napa Valley is to become recognized throughout the world as a region loaded with first-class terroirs, Pritchard Hill has to be an official AVA (rather than being lumped into St. Helena as it is today), and Chappellet has to allow their neighbors to use the Pritchard Hill designation, which will only bring this corner of Napa Valley more prestige. As for the wines themselves, well, they are terrific. The Chappellet Cabernets are distinguished by a relatively low presence of Cabernet Sauvignon, while Malbec and Merlot play important roles in the blends.

90 POINTS

Wine Spectator

Dense and a touch rustic, with chewy tannins, crushed rock, dried berry, sage and savory flavors. Maintains its firm, tight focus and appears built for the long haul.