Chappellet Mountain Cuvee 2021

Chappellet Winery is one of Napa Valley's most storied and enduring estates, founded in 1967 by Donn and Molly Chappellet on Pritchard Hill — a rugged, remote hillside above Lake Hennessey that has since become one of Napa's most celebrated addresses for Cabernet Sauvignon. The Chappellet family has farmed this land for nearly six decades with a commitment to sustainable viticulture and a belief that Pritchard Hill's thin, rocky soils and dramatic elevation produce wines of a depth and complexity that the valley floor cannot match. The Mountain Cuvee is the winery's most accessible expression — a Bordeaux-inspired blend designed to showcase the character of Napa Valley mountain fruit in an approachable, earlier-drinking style.

The 2021 Chappellet Mountain Cuvee is a Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, sourced from mountain vineyards across Napa Valley and crafted to deliver the richness and structure of Napa Cabernet with a freshness and elegance that makes it enjoyable from release. Deep ruby in the glass, the nose is inviting and complex: blackcurrant, dark cherry, and ripe plum layered with cedar, mocha, and a hint of mountain herbs. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and well-structured, with polished tannins, a generous mid-palate, and a long, smooth finish with notes of spice and toasted oak.

The Chappellet Mountain Cuvee 2021 is an ideal Napa red for the table — excellent alongside grilled ribeye, roasted lamb, braised short ribs, or a selection of aged hard cheeses, and a reliable introduction to the distinctive character of Napa Valley mountain viticulture.