I’m in for 6. CT notes look good, and pricing is right.
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There was a fire burning from August on not far from the winery. Very hard pass
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Normally I’m totally with you, but I’ve had their 2020 a couple of times and enjoyed it thoroughly.
I’d imagine there’s some risk with more age as smoke can become more of an issue with time in bottle, but at $40ea that risk felt worth it to me
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“Summer brought temperate weather with no significant heat events”
if the 2020 harvest notes don’t directly say something like “this was the toughest season in decades, but boy did we luck out”, I also default to “what are they hiding”
I dont think they made a Pritchard Hill that year. I dropped off the list after the 18 vintage
The LNU fire burned all around Lake Hennessey. Napa is remembered mostly for the Glass fire but the LNU fire started in AUGUST, the 17th specifically and burned until October 2.
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You’re right, they did not make the Pritchard Hill that year. I’m referring to the 2020 Signature, which used fruit that typically goes into their PH.
Very interesting about the LNU fire, I was not aware of that one. I did not taste it in the bottle when I tried the 2020 Signature in the past, but definitely a case of buyer beware.
I’m coming at this from a place of sharing my perspective based on my own experiences and offering another data point, but I think the concerns shared upthread regarding the lack of transparency are totally valid
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If smoke taint was obvious and noticeable, you would think it would have been mentioned in the CellarTracker notes, but it is not……almost all of the TN’s are very positive……
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12 CT reports with notes.
If 12 folks don’t taste smoke, I’m fairly certain I won’t either.
While the wines identity seems almost certain, did anyone find the Decanter review?
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I’m sure it’s heavily treated but if no one has got smoke from it that’s good. I’d be drinking them young.
Not sure what you mean by this……
Look at a map of the LNU fire and where Chappellet is located and tell me those grapes were fine. They treated their grapes heavily for anything they made in 20’. So many other wineries along the Silverado trail did not make wine tha vintage.
Vivino had the 2020 Chappellet Signature for sale last week for a similar price. Grabbed a few, popped one open tonight, and I’m not tasting any smoke taint. It’s actually drinking beautifully. Just went back in for 6 more on LB. Hope this helps
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With all the positive reviews I snagged 3. Definitely not something I’m looking to lay down for decades.
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You all convinced me to buy 3. Based on the tasting notes, it seems young so I’ll cellar for at least 2 years. I’d never read before that smoke taint can be tasted more in aged wines. I suppose I should drink them all by '29.
Has anyone had the 2017 Goulard Special Club or 2006 Gardet Prestige? Ive got a credit Id like to use and wondering if these are worthy bubbles or if I should just use it on something Ive bought before.
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For any of you, like me, who bought the 2013 Firefly Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Stephanie Coombsville Napa awhile ago, Wine Spies has the 2015 on sale today for $25.
Have you tried the 2013 yet? I’m trying to fill-up my locker to get the free shipping (I have 8-slots to fill) and this 2015 looks intriguing……
Always a fan of Iron Horse. Bought a couple. Don’t know if I have seen them here before or not.
And as I typed that the offer is gone. Was up all day yesterday though.
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I seem to remember trying 1 bottle of the 2013 Firefly Vineyard Cabernet and finding it closed, probably because it still needs another year or so. Probably didn’t decant either. Apparently, the Napa 2013 cabs are a highly rated 95 vintage and will be very long lived. The 2012s are just now entering their peak drinking window. I remember the 2013 also having a high score and also 2/3 off the winery $75 price.
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Was a great price. We visited in 2019, and enjoyed it. I havent bought many since then, but my family enjoys them and CT reviews were strong for this bottling, so was no brainer to grab 4.