Napa Valley’s 2018 keeps rolling out boffo Cabernet Sauvignon, particularly when the hands of winemakers with decades of experience are involved. Philip Corallo-Titus has been doing his thing at Chappellet for 31 years, and this may be his best-ever offering. Think of the elements that make up classic Napa Cabernet – blackberry, cassis, violets and faint dried herbs – then add well folded winemaking elements of vanilla, bakers chocolate and clove spice, and you will have an idea of what’s present here. They all surround a firm yet fine grained tannin structure that will provide for a long, evocative evolution. Bravo! Contains 10% Petit Verdot.
Chappellet, Napa Valley (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
By Rich Cook