Winemaker Notes
Vibrant, complex and impeccably polished, this wine draws you in with aromas of pineapple, orange zest, lemon custard and tropical flowers, as well as rich notes of brioche, crème fraiche, vanilla bean, nutmeg and clove. On the palate it is lush and creamy, with a layered mouthfeel and flavors of ripe citrus, apricot, crème brûlée and French oak-inspired barrel spice, with a beam of bright acidity carrying the flavors to a long, luxurious finish.
Professional Ratings
-
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.
-
Decanter
Saturated yellow in the glass, this Chardonnay from the Sangiacomo Vineyard in Carneros opens with generous aromas of ripe fruit, white flowers, and an oiliness reminiscent of citrus peel. The palate is equally rich, with notes of baked apple drizzled with honey and, interestingly, a touch of ripe starfruit. Generous in texture but lifted by just enough acidity to keep things fresh and balanced, it’s a plush yet composed expression of this well-known Sonoma site.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2023 Chardonnay Sangiacomo Vineyard has ripe aromas of banana, baked apples, toasted meringue and roasted almonds. The full-bodied palate is ripe and concentrated with toasty oak and a luxurious, silky texture. It’s balanced by bright acidity and has a long, layered finish.
The Chappellets' romance with Pritchard Hill began when Donn and Molly Chappellet first glimpsed the mountain's spectacular vistas in the late 1960s. Inspired by the notion that Bacchus loves the hills, Donn and Molly followed the advice of legendary winemaker André Tchelistcheff and settled on the rocky eastern slopes of the Napa Valley. There, on the mountain’s serene and picturesque hillsides, the Chappellets established their home and winery, raising their children and cultivating the vineyards.
Since being founded by Donn and Molly in 1967, Chappellet has earned acclaim championing the robust power and complexity of wines crafted from mountain grapes. At the same time, Chappellet has helped to establish Pritchard Hill as one of California’s most revered winegrowing sites. To honor the mountain's rich, expressive character, the winemaking team focuses on creating extraordinary, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignons that embody the intensity and finesse of fruit from Pritchard Hill.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
Known for elegant wines that combine power and finesse, Carneros is set in the rolling hills that straddle the southernmost parts of both Sonoma and Napa counties. The cooling winds from the abutting San Pablo Bay, combined with lots of midday California sunshine, create an ideal environment for producing wines with a perfect balance of crisp acidity and well-ripened fruit.
This cooler pocket of California lends itself to growing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. Carneros is an important source of sparkling wines made in the style of Champagne as well.