Chappellet Mountain Estates Sugarloaf Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Sugarloaf is composed of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. This wine was aged in 100% new French oak barrels. Deep garnet-purple in color, the nose needs a little coaxing to begin, soon unfurling to reveal notions of crème de cassis, blueberry pie and mulberries with touches of mocha, Indian spices and lilacs. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has an impressive backbone of super ripe, fine-grained tannins and lovely freshness supporting the muscular black fruit, finishing long and earthy/minerally.

95 Points - James Suckling

This is very typical with cassis, forest-floor, mushroom and dried -lower aromas and flavors. It’s full-bodied, but not overdone, with firm, chewy tannins that give it a dusty texture. The finish shows a blue-fruit note and crushed stones. It really needs time to soften. Try after 2024.

95 Points - Vinous

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Sugarloaf is one of several new wines in this range. Inky, voluptuous and racy, the Sugarloaf possesses tremendous textural intensity from start to finish. Super-ripe red cherry fruit, mocha, spice, licorice and espresso saturate the palate. Plush fruit and silky tannins make this exciting Cabernet very easy to drink with just minimal cellaring.