5 Top-Rated Wines From the Complete Chappellet Retrospective

"There is almost certainly nothing in the world that so honestly and evocatively records the history of a time, place and custodian/crafter like wine,” says Lisa Perrotti-Brown in her complete 50-year retrospective of Chappellet winery in the latest Issue of The Wine Advocate. “Having the opportunity to taste the entire vinous history to date of a single-vineyard wine produced by the same family is an experience that surely borders on the spiritual.”

To celebrate the very celebrated winery’s 50th anniversary, the Chappellet family offered a tasting experience as a charity auction lot at the recent Auction Napa Valley—and Perrotti-Brown was generously invited to document the occasion. 

Below, the top five wines the iconic Chappellet has ever created, all rated 97 points and higher. 

“Medium-bodied, it has an exquisite frame of very fine grained tannins and seamless freshness supporting the wonderfully intense blue and black fruit flavors, finishing with an epically long, mineral-laced finish.”

“The 1969 Chappellet Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon) is medium brick in color with a wonderfully fruity nose giving up expressive black berry preserves and crème de cassis notes with an undercurrent of sautéed herbs, grilled meats and dusty soil plus touches of truffles.”

“It's a big, blockbuster, rich style with the full-bodied palate sporting tons of black and blue fruits, structured with a solid frame of ripe, grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long.”

“This should live forever.”

“Very big and rich, with the full body offering voluptuous blue and black fruits, it's accented by loads of spices, finishing long and savory.”

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