Napa Valley’s Chappellet has a diverse portfolio that delivers quality

Next year will mark 50 years that the Chappellet family has been producing wines on Pritchard Hill in Napa Valley. These days, the second generation has joined the efforts at Chappellet. Their work involves a firm belief in sustainable practices, which they have become vanguards of in Napa Valley. A mere 16% of their 640 acre estate is under vine. The areas that are planted have been certified organic since 2012. Phillip Corallo-Titus joined Chappellet as assistant winemaker in 1981. In 1990, he took over the reins as head winemaker and has been driving the winemaking team ever since.

While their portfolio includes Napa Valley standard bearers such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, they also feature Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, Malbec and more. In short, it’s a diverse offering loaded with wines produced from their Estate, as well as select vineyards that meet their standards. Here’s a look at four current standout releases.

Chappellet 2014 Chenin Blanc ($32)

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This wine is comprised entirely of Chenin Blanc from Estate Vineyards on Pritchard Hill, which were replanted in 2004. Fermentation took place in stainless steel, neutral French oak and concrete egg. Not many producers in Napa Valley make a Chenin Blanc, and even fewer do it well, but this offering from Chappellet hits all the right notes for me. This starts with the lovely and somewhat boisterous nose, which features lychee fruit, apricot and bits of citrus zest. Additionally, the even-keeled palate is loaded with stone fruits, minerals and a dollop of spices. All of these characteristics come together on the clean, crisp finish, which has good length and depth.

Chappellet 2014 Napa Valley Chardonnay ($35)

The fruit for this Chardonnay was sourced in a handful of diverse areas in Napa Valley, the common thread being that they are all cool-growing regions, which is ideal for Chardonnay. It sat on the lees for eight months and was aged in one third new French oak. From the first whiff to the last sip, this remarkably delicious Chardonnay is simply loaded with a ton of pure and delicious fruit flavors. Orchard fruit and lemon curd aromas leap from the nose. The deeply layered palate is filled with apple, pear, bits of mango, toasty oak and more. Vanilla bean, crème fraiche and continuing pure fruit flavors are all evident on the long, lush finish.

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Activities Every Adrenaline Junkie Should Try

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If you love the feeling of your heart racing, sweaty palms and the thrill of danger, you probably live for all things that give you the ultimate adrenaline rush. Thrill-seekers are constantly in search of new activities that will give them a rush of excitement and euphoria. If you’re looking for a wild ride, something completely different, then you should check out some of these truly exciting activities.

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A Man’s Guide to Saving Money on Manly Purchases

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There is often a stigma that men absolutely hate shopping. Although men tend to rush their shopping duties, they don’t necessary hate shopping. In fact, shopping can be a good pasttime, as long as the store and product within suits their needs and preferences. Unfortunately, many manly items, such as power tools, electronics and vehicle accessories, can be immensely expensive. Despite slaving at work day in and day out, you probably don’t have extra money for these items. Thankfully, the utilization of coupons will help you get the items you want at the prices you can afford!

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Coming Soon: A Moviegoer’s Guide to October

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October is an interesting month for film releases. The blockbuster season is a distant memory and awards season is just getting started. Some festival favorites finally hit wide release, while others are chasing the spooky atmosphere of the season. However, there aren’t many major horror movies this month (and no, “Boo! A Madea Halloween” doesn’t count); instead, it seems that the dominant genre for October is adult thrillers. Sure, there’s a comedy and a drama or two in the mix, but mainly it’s thrillers aimed at grownups with twists, turns and some sophisticated action. Who knows if any of these will succeed at the box office, but here’s what’s on the docket for the month.

“The Birth of a Nation”

Who: Nate Parker, Armie Hammer, Aunjanue Ellis and Gabrielle Union
What: Nat Turner, a literate slave and preacher in the antebellum South, orchestrates an uprising.
When: October 7th
Why: There’s been a lot of discussion around “The Birth of a Nation.” First, there was tons of hype about the film coming out of Sundance, but more recently, the talk has become about writer/director/star Nate Parker’s previous rape allegations. For some, that’s a deal breaker and they won’t go see the film; others have learned to separate the art from the artist and will take the movie on its own merits (see Woody Allen, Roman Polanski, etc.). Based on word of mouth, the film is a harrowing, emotional experience that does a good job of connecting audiences to this historical event while finding the humanity amid all the horrible actions of the time period.

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R.I.P. Bill Nunn

Actor Bill Nunn passed away according to director Spike Lee. Nunn is probably best known for his iconic role as Radio Raheem in Spike Lee’s 1991 classic “Do The Right Thing.” Nunn was an excellent actor and had a long career in film, and we remember his role in “Regarding Henry” very well. He played Bradley, the physical therapist who helped Harrison Ford‘s character recover and rebuild his life following a gunshot wound. It’s an underrated film that’s worth watching, and Nunn’s understated performance stood out even with great performances by Ford and Annette Bening.

Rest in peace…