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. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030.

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. (AG)

Saturated deep ruby to the rim. Cool, laid-back nose combines blackcurrant, licorice, crushed rock, graphite and bitter chocolate. Thick, sweet and large-scaled on entry, then rich and mouthfilling in the mid-palate, with a strong mineral spine framing its black fruit, licorice and violet flavors. Wonderfully plush and long but evolving at a snail's pace. A huge, almost excessive wine with outstanding concentration and depth of flavor. Tannins are utterly suave but substantial. I described this as full-blown when I first tasted it, but it's every bit as youthful today and an element of medicinal reserve accentuates its powerful underlying structure. I'd still give this wine another few years of cellaring; its terrific mountain energy and tannic spine should support it through at least another two decades of evolution. (ST) 94+