2023 Chappellet 'Grower Collection Sangiacomo Vineyard' Chardonnay Carneros
From the famed Sangiacomo Vineyard in the cool, windswept Carneros region, this Chardonnay captures the perfect balance of richness and freshness. Bursting with aromas of pineapple, orange zest, lemon custard, and delicate tropical florals, it draws you in before revealing layers of brioche, vanilla bean, and warm spice. The palate is lush and creamy, unfolding with ripe citrus, apricot, and crème brûlée, all lifted by a vibrant streak of acidity. Elegant, expressive, and beautifully food-friendly, this is a standout bottling from one of Napa’s most respected estates and vineyard partners.
If you asked us for our list of Napa Valley wineries currently making the highest quality, most complete, most consistent, most interesting, most ageworthy wines for the money, Chappellet Winery would be at the top. Consider all the metrics: track record, intrinsic quality, taste of the soil, availability, quality-price rapport, freshness, and visceral excitement. Is this the finest winery, top-to-bottom, in the Napa Valley? Why are the wines so good? First, take a great terroir: volcanic terraces high on Pritchard Hill that were first planted in 1882. It’s no accident that Colgin, Continuum, and Bryant Family set up shop in the neighborhood. Then we have 47 years of accumulated knowledge from some of the best winemaking talent the valley has ever seen: Philip Togni, Joe Cafaro, Tony Soter, Cathy Corison and finally Philip Corallo-Titus, who has been at the winemaking helm since 1990. And finally there’s the huge Chappellet family, dedicated as a team to farm great grapes and make superb wines since 1968.
Jeb Dunnuck
A bright yellow/silver color, the 2023 Chardonnay Sangiacomo Vineyard Grower Collection is lifted on opening, with bright aromas of citrus zest, lemon confit, wet stone, beeswax, and pineapple rind. The palate is supple and rounded, with full-bodied richness, but it’s not heavy. It has a pleasing waxy texture and a clean finish. Drink 2025-2032.