The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon has been Chappellet’s flagship wine for more than three decades and is a defining expression of the long-lived hillside Cabernet wines of Pritchard Hill in Napa Valley. The site’s dry, rocky soils produce small, intensely flavoured grapes, while careful crop thinning encourages even ripening and concentrates the fruit’s complexity.The 2023 growing season was long and notably cool. Early-season rainfall saturated the soils, followed by cool spring and summer conditions that allowed the grapes an extended period of hangtime. To maximise airflow and light during the cool vintage, the vines were pruned and leafed early and regularly. Budbreak and flowering were excellent despite occurring later than usual. September remained remarkably cool, with only one day exceeding 90°F, before warmer conditions arrived in October to provide the final push towards ripeness. Harvest took place between September 11 and October 15, with each block picked at its ideal moment.The blend comprises 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec and 7% Petit Verdot. The wine opens with layers of blackberry, crème de cassis, dark chocolate and roasted coffee, followed by notes of vanilla bean, cedar, sage and incense. Rich and full-bodied on the palate, it combines silky tannins with a polished, seamless structure. Black cherry, currant and mocha are complemented by fresh herbs, French oak and subtle spice. Concentrated yet finely balanced, the wine builds steadily towards a long, resonant finish. A sophisticated expression of Pritchard Hill Cabernet, combining depth, structure and remarkable aromatic complexity.