2016 Chappellet Cabernet Franc
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Tasting notes
Deep purple in colour. Very berry-jam on the nose with leather and shoe polish. A big billowing, soft sweet spot on the middle of the palate followed by a tapering finish with a hint of herbal character. (SCJ)
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2016 Cabernet Franc is a beautiful expression of the variety and has a classic, complex, seamless style in its flowery blue and black fruits, forest floor, damp earth, blood orange, and leafy herbs. Pure, elegant, and perfectly balanced, with great intensity and depth, it will be better with short-term cellaring and drink beautifully for 15 years or more. Even at this price, it's a smoking value.
The 2016 Cabernet Franc (Napa Valley) is a very pretty and expressive wine with lovely varietal character and nuance. Pliant red and purplish fruit, along with expressive Franc aromatics, yield a racy, layered wine loaded with personality and character. Mocha, game, tobacco, rose petal, and blood orange all shape the nuanced finish. The 2016 can be enjoyed with minimal cellaring or cellared for another decade-plus.
Shows a fresh, foresty edge of cabernet franc with a thread of attractive, toasty oak across some quite dark berries and cassis. The palate has an assertively focused style with seamless, smooth darker-fruit flavors. Plush finish. Drink or hold.
About the producer
Founded in 1967, Chappellet is a pioneering, family-owned Napa Valley estate on Pritchard Hill, where it helped establish the tradition of high-elevation viticulture. Its mountain-grown wines are renowned for their depth, elegance and longevity, led by Cabernet Sauvignon.