2009, 2010, 2013 Napa & Pacific Northwest Red Collection — Chappellet "Signature" Cab Sauv · Miner "The Oracle" · Doubleback Walla Walla · Venge "Stagecoach Block I-4" Syrah · Irony Cabernet Tasting Lot

“In the glass, the 2009 was incredibly perfumed with that sweet, rum-raisin fruit I often describe as kirsch, and it was complemented by rich, loamy earth notes nuanced by mountain garrigue. It is such a beautifully soft and warming wine on the palate, imbued with structured tannins that have seamlessly integrated a bewildering depth of fruit character. It grabs ahold of the palate with a warming richness and spice quality that lingers through the exceedingly long finish for about 60 seconds, revealing notes of red currants, spiced plums and prunes, and layered with red-leaf tobacco, cedarwood, and molten mineral notes. A splash of 4% Petit Verdot rounds out the blend. (JC)” (12/2023)

“The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Signature is another hit from the Chappellet family. This delivers plenty of ripe blackberries, plums with a mix of spice, floral, herbs and warm toasty notes. The wine displays balance and focus, and gets a lot of structural support from the firm chewy tannins. (JD)” (07/2024)

“The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is deep garnet in color and comes prancing out of the glass with cheery notions of baked black cherries, black raspberries, blackcurrant cordial and chocolate box plus wafts of dried mint, wilted roses, Ceylon tea and fallen leaves. The full-bodied palate is wonderfully expressive and balanced, chock-full of perfumed black fruit and a velvety texture, finishing long and lively. This is drinking wonderfully now! (LPB)” (01/2020)

“The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Signature is another striking wine. The 2009 doesn’t have the bombastic fruit of the 2010, instead, it stands out for the silkiness of its tannin and pure length. The 2009 Signature is classy and refined from the very first taste. All the elements are beautifully in place in this mid-weight Cabernet. The 2009 is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Malbec, 9% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. (AG)” (12/2012)

“Another terrific Signature Cabernet from Chappellet. This has primary blackberry and cherry-jam flavors, with an additional note of toasty oak. The tannins and acids are excellent, lending structure to the richness. The result is a wonderfully-complex Napa Cabernet that should develop over the next six years.” (07/2012)

“Medium ruby-red. Complex, varietally expressive aromas of cassis, black cherry, minerals, tobacco and chocolate, plus a light leafy element. Suave but tightly wound, with lovely energy and mountain power to its medicinal black fruit and menthol flavors. In a fairly dry style, showing little easy sweetness and finishing with substantial mouthcoating tannins. This will need a good six to eight years to expand in bottle. (ST)” (05/2012)

“Healthy ruby-red. Some herbal, inky high notes along with black cherry, cassis, licorice, menthol and violet on the nose. Concentrated but a bit hard-edged and bound-up, conveying an impression of slightly green acidity. (04/2020)” (04/2020)

“Venge's 2013 Syrah Stagecoach Vineyard from Block I 4 is another blockbuster, offering rich, creamy blackberry fruit, some camphor and licorice, and a touch of graphite in a full-bodied, powerful, deep style. Its 15.1% alcohol is well hidden by the gorgeously rich, dense fruit, and the finish goes on for a good 30 seconds. This is another winner from Kirk Venge. (RP)” (12/2015)

“Powerfully built but retains a sense of style and focus. Aromas of dark plum and cracked pepper open to complex, slightly dense flavors of blackberry, licorice and crushed stone. (TF)” (03/2016)

“A truly fabulous wine is the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, which incorporates 7% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec, all of which was aged 22 months in 75% new French oak. This inky colored, sensationally textured and polished 2013 gives up classic young Cabernet notes of cassis, licorice, graphite, sweet oak and spring flowers. Full-bodied, pure and nicely concentrated, it has a solid kick of ripe tannin, and needs to be forgotten for 5-6 years. This beauty will have two to three decades of overall longevity. (JD)” (06/2016)

“Bright, medium ruby-red. Sexy nutty oak complements ripe cassis, minerals, licorice and herbs on the nose. Wonderfully silky and refined, but with sexy herbal lift to the seamless berry and spice flavors. Very suave, youthful, classy Cabernet with sneaky depth of flavor and noble tannins. Sappy, subtle and long on the aftertaste. I find this wine much easier to taste today than the more backward 2012. Will it go into a shell or will it remain harmonious? (ST)” (11/2015)

“This wine is a blend of fruit from six different vineyards across the valley. Alluring aromas of cassis, earth, spice, vanilla and flowers are followed by a structured palate, with enough tannic heft to reward time in the cellar. *Editors' Choice* (SS)” (11/2016)