The 2021 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Pritchard Hill is a distinguished wine hailing from the North Coast of Napa, California. Produced by Chappellet, this vintage is composed of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot, and it has been aged in new French oak barrels.
This wine has received notable accolades from several esteemed reviewers. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it an impressive 98+ points, highlighting its "penetrating aromas of cassis and red berries" complemented by "hints of violets, dried sage, crushed stones, and pencil shavings on the nose." Joe Czerwinski from the same publication described the palate as "rich and intensely concentrated," with dusty tannins that contribute to a "long, mouthwatering finish."
Jeb Dunnuck also gave the 2021 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Pritchard Hill a stellar 98+ points, calling it the "flagship" wine of the estate. He noted its "incredible aromatics of black and blue fruits, camphor, liquid violets, tobacco, and graphite." Dunnuck praised its "full-bodied richness" and "massive mid-palate," concluding that it has a "thrilling finish" and the potential to evolve over 30-40 years in cold cellars.
Jane Anson, who also rated this wine at 98 points, remarked on its "concentrated black cherry and cassis fruits" and "violet and peony floral character." She emphasized the "juicy freshness" and the complex finish with "bitter cocoa bean, fennel, and espresso character." Anson dubbed it a "long-term wine that will reward patience."
James Suckling gave the wine 97 points, highlighting its "notes of crushed dark berries, chocolate black licorice, iodine, bark, and graphite." He described the palate as "wide and encompassing," with "ultra-fine, almost weightless tannins" and a "fine, chalky minerality." Suckling advised that it needs time, suggesting to try it after 2026.
In contrast, Antonio Galloni from Vinous offered a more reserved score of 91 points, describing the wine as "massively tannic and forbidding at this stage." He noted the "searing" intensity of the tannins and questioned whether the fruit will ever fully emerge.
In summary, the 2021 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Pritchard Hill is a robust and complex wine, marked by its rich fruit profile and intense tannins. While some reviewers suggest it needs more time to reach its full potential, the majority agree that it is a wine of exceptional quality that promises to age gracefully.