More about the 2017 CHAPPELLET "MOUNTAIN CUVEE" PROPRIETARY RED With the number of wineries in Napa Valley making Proprietary Red Blends using Bordeaux varieties, they can be somewhat difficult to choose from... Of course, Chappellet makes that decision easy for anybody that's tasted their Mountain Cuvée, which in 2017 includes each of the Big Five Bordeaux Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc, Merlot, Petite Verdot and Malbec. The blend even incorporates fruit from their iconic Estate Vineyard on Pritchard Hill. Many wine lovers consider Pritchard Hill to be the most elite sub-region in the Napa Valley and it has been hailed by some as Napa's Grand Cru. Chappellet was one of the first wineries in Napa Valley to plant vineyards on the rocky, high-elevation hillsides, following the advice of renowned winemaker André Tchelistcheff. The wine was composed superstar winemaker Phillip Titus, who's been with Chappellet for nearly 30 years. Phillip created this blend in a lush, forward, crowd-pleasing style that envelopes your senses in rich Mountainous fruit, spices and vanilla. With Cabernet Sauvignon as the dominant grape, the 2017 is finely focused, brilliantly concentrated, and on the palate, the wine's hallmark velvety embrace comes dressed with provocative black cherries, ripe blueberries, dried violets and cocoa. I highly recommend a case of the new release. Winery Notes: "This lush and layered Bordeaux blend begins with alluring fruit-driven aromas of cherry, currant and plum, as well as sophisticated undercurrents of graphite, cedar, clove and nutmeg. The berry and spice notes are echoed on the round, mouthcoating palate, where they mingle with hints of black tea, vanilla and savory herbs. An underpinning of tannins provides weight, structure and impressive length to the finish." Cabernet Sauvignon 55% | Merlot 28% | Malbec 8% | Petit Verdot 6% | Cabernet Franc 3%