Ahhh…. September. You come to us so discreetly and leave us with such glorious rewards. Harvest has begun in many parts of the northern hemisphere, and one of the most beautiful places to bear witness to this magical yearly ritual is Napa Valley, California. Sunlight pierces through the clouds bathing the misted morning hills which burst at the seams with the foliage of fall and its bounty. What better way to celebrate Napa than with one if its oldest and most beautiful estates. Chappellet Winery.

The Chappellet family has been crafting world class wines from their Pritchard Hill estate vineyards since 1967. Spurred by the notion that Bacchus loves the hills and that mountain fruit would make superior wine, Chappellet settled on the rocky eastern slopes of the Napa Valley. The Chappellets were the first to plant vineyards exclusively on high elevation hillsides and the second winery to be established in the Napa Valley after Prohibition.

Today the six Chappellet children share their parents’ romance with Pritchard Hill’s complex rocky soils and magnificent views. They are passionate about preserving the land by using sustainable farming techniques and continuing what their parents started: making extraordinary wines that express the distinctiveness of Pritchard Hill.

2007 Chappellet Chardonnay

Chappellet’s Napa Valley Chardonnay is produced from fruit grown in the coolest regions of Napa Valley. Overlooking the San Pablo Bay, Kelly Ranch receives the benefits of the Bay’s marine influences, creating optimal growing conditions for Chardonnay. The 2007 was aged in French oak barrels and underwent full malolactic fermentation.

Layered with characteristics of Bosque pear, pineapple, tart yellow apple, marmalade, lemon grass, honey suckle blossom, lightly buttered toast, vanilla, candy corn, white pepper and savory spices. Rich and creamy, yet lightly textured with well integrated acidity and an almost slatey minerality. This Chardonnay opens up beautifully with some air, tasted great on day two and will age nicely for two or three years. 92 points Wine Enthusiast, 91 points Wine Spectator

2006 Chappellet Merlot

Chappellet’s Merlot comes from the winery’s Pritchard Hill vineyard and is aged for 18 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels (40% new) and was blended with their Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec for added structure and complexity which gives it breadth across the palate.

This classic Napa Valley Merlot shares generously its personality in the form of prune, blackberry, mulberry, pomegranate juice, cherry, blueberry, plums and figs. With its very floral and herby characters of violets, lavender, dried herbs, clove, nutmeg and touches of black pepper it leads elegantly into the delicious finish of brown sugar, caramel, and slight tobacco.