2010 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard

Very NHB. I thought they were good guys?! Deep crimson. Sweet and perfumed. Like a blend of supremely rich cocoa and lemonade. (Because there is enough acidity.) Taken to the limit but well balanced. Just a bit hot on the end. Great texture. I may have over-scored this! (JR)

(15.1% alcohol): Bright medium ruby. Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, licorice, dark chocolate, mocha and sexy oak show an almost porty ripeness. Dense, broad, lush and sweet, with highly concentrated black raspberry, mineral, mocha and licorice flavors lifted by a violet topnote. Finishes with impressive mounting length and big, dusty but sweet oak-driven tannins. In a rather full-blown style for the year, but I'm not complaining.

Grilled herbs, cedar, spices and pencil shavings emerge as the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Pritchard Hill sits in the glass. There is a wonderful immediacy to the 2010 that is totally compelling. A wine that conquers the soul and intellect, Chappellet's 2010 Pritchard Hill is a wonderful introduction to the wines of these hillside vineyards in St. Helena. As good as the 2010 is today, my sense is that the wine will be even better in another few years. The 2010 is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Malbec and 10% Petit Verdot.