Chappellet Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Chappellet Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 is a mountain-grown Napa Valley Cabernet blend at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml bottle. Awarded 96 points by Wine Advocate and 98 points from Tasting Panel, this vintage represents one of the most critically acclaimed releases from Chappellet's flagship hillside vineyard.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Pritchard Hill, Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2017  |  Producer: Chappellet Winery

Production & Heritage

Chappellet Winery was founded in 1967 when Donn and Molly Chappellet followed the advice of legendary winemaker André Tchelistcheff and planted vineyards on the rocky, high-elevation slopes of Pritchard Hill — becoming the first winery to cultivate vines exclusively on Napa Valley's mountainside terrain. The 2017 Pritchard Hill is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, and 5% Malbec, aged for 22 months in 100% new French oak barrels. Pritchard Hill's volcanic soils and steep exposures have earned the site frequent comparisons to the great First Growths of Bordeaux, and this wine channels the intensity and structure that only mountain-grown fruit can deliver.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with exuberant black cherry and warm cassis before moving into layers of blueberry, blackberry preserves, and chocolate. Underneath, nuances of wild sage, graphite, anise, and forest floor add serious complexity.

Taste: The entry is dense and concentrated, with black currant and blackberry fruit dominating the front palate. At mid-palate, dark chocolate, espresso, and aromatic spice emerge alongside licorice and lavender. The structure is firm and muscular, with fine-grained tannins framing the generous fruit.

Finish: Long and persistent, with lingering notes of graphite, tobacco, and baking spice that sustain well after each sip. The tannins remain polished through the close, leaving a savory, mineral-driven impression.

How to Drink Pritchard Hill 2017

This wine is best served at cellar temperature (60–65°F) and benefits from at least 30–60 minutes in a decanter to fully open its layered aromatics. At this stage, it drinks beautifully now but has the tannic backbone and acidity to age gracefully through the late 2030s. Pairing it with food is the ideal approach — its weight and complexity reward a serious table setting rather than casual sipping.

Best For

• Gifting a serious Napa Valley wine collector
• Anchoring a multi-course dinner featuring grilled red meats
• Cellaring for long-term aging through the 2030s
• Marking a milestone celebration with an acclaimed vintage

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Pritchard Hill 2017 taste like? The dominant profile centers on concentrated black fruit — cassis, blackberry, and blueberry — layered with dark chocolate, espresso, graphite, and aromatic spice. Firm mountain tannins provide structure beneath the generous fruit.

How does Pritchard Hill 2017 compare to Shafer Hillside Select? Both are iconic Napa Valley hillside Cabernets with long track records of critical acclaim and aging potential. Shafer Hillside Select typically shows a rounder, more immediately approachable mid-palate, while Chappellet Pritchard Hill tends toward greater tannic grip and mineral intensity from its higher-elevation volcanic soils.

Is Pritchard Hill 2017 good for cellaring? Yes — the 2017 vintage combines firm tannin structure, balanced acidity, and concentrated fruit, all hallmarks of a wine built for long-term development. Most critics suggest a drinking window that extends well into the 2030s.

Where is Pritchard Hill 2017 made? It is produced by Chappellet Winery on Pritchard Hill, a renowned high-elevation vineyard site on the eastern slopes above Lake Hennessey in Napa Valley, California. The winery has farmed this steep, rocky terrain since 1967.

What foods pair well with Pritchard Hill 2017? Grilled bone-in ribeye steak complements the wine's tannin and dark fruit. Braised short ribs echo its depth and spice. Hard aged cheeses like Comté or aged Gouda mirror its savory complexity. Roasted lamb with rosemary aligns with the herbal undertones. Dark chocolate desserts bridge naturally with the wine's espresso and cacao notes.

What sizes does Pritchard Hill 2017 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle; availability of large-format bottles such as magnums may vary by vintage and allocation.

Is Pritchard Hill 2017 worth the price? Pritchard Hill positions firmly in the ultra-premium tier of Napa Valley Cabernet, competing with wines from the valley's most storied hillside sites. With 96 points from Wine Advocate, 98 from Tasting Panel, and 95+ from Jeb Dunnuck, the critical consensus strongly supports its standing at this price level.

Why Pritchard Hill 2017?

The 2017 vintage is among the most broadly acclaimed releases in Chappellet's modern history, collecting scores of 95 points or higher from five major publications. It draws its character from one of Napa Valley's original mountain vineyard sites — planted over fifty years ago on the recommendation of André Tchelistcheff, a figure central to California's winemaking identity. The combination of volcanic hillside soils, 100% new French oak aging, and a warm yet balanced vintage produced a wine of exceptional concentration and structure. For collectors and enthusiasts seeking a benchmark Napa mountain Cabernet, this bottling earns its place alongside the appellation's most respected names.