2002 Chappellet Vineyards Mountain Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon

Chappellet Vineyard was founded in Napa Valley in 1967 by Donn and Molly Chappellet. Donn Chappellet was a businessman and entrepreneur from Southern California before turning to winemaking in Napa Valley. Philip Togni was winemaker for a period early in the winery’s history, and the estate was noted for its Cabernets. Today the 110-acre estate is run by the second generation of the Chappellet family and it still focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon, though it also makes Chardonnay.

St. Helena AVA is at the northern end of Napa Valley just north of Rutherford and south of Calistoga. It is a relatively warm climate thanks to the Mayacamas Mountains on its western edge, which protect it from Pacific Ocean fog. Out of the 9,000 acres in the appellation, some 1,500 are under vine. The principal grapes grown in St. Helena are the Bordeaux grapes of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. St. Helena is considered prime wine producing territory, and it was one of the first important wine producing regions in northern California. The legendary Charles Krug founded his winery just north of the town of St. Helena in 1873, and today the appellation is home to many prestigious producers, including Abreu, Grace Family and Spottswoode.

One of the most widely grown grape varieties, it can be found in nearly every wine growing region. A cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a hardy vine that produces a full-bodied wine with high tannins and great aging potential.