Delectable Wine

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9.6

The 1976 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate from Clos du Val is the most interesting of all the wines. The estate was founded by John and Henrietta Goelet in the early Seventies when the couple challenged recently graduated winemaker Bernard Portet to create a Bordeaux-inspired estate in Napa. Clos du Val attained global recognition when its inaugural 1972 Cabernet Sauvignon was one of the wines poured blind by Steven Spurrier at the epochal The Judgement of Paris, so this bottle of 1976 was one of their earliest bottlings that, incidentally, came directly from Clos de Val’s apparently meager reserves. It is very elegant and perfumed on the nose, typical old school, classic Napa Cabernet in all its unfettered glory, beautifully defined with wilted rose petals and a light fish scale element. Supple, very pliant tannins define the palate. There remains ample freshness and poise, a fine silver thread of acidity and a clove-tinged, rounded, exquisitely balanced finish that would surpass practically every other Bordeaux from this vintage. Outstanding. (Neal Martin, Vinous, April 2024)
— 6 days ago

Mike Lev

9.3

Intense w/concentrated cherry and red fruit, fine tannins, some graphite, cedar, balsam. Fine showing this 2016er… — 2 months ago

Ted

9.0

Sweet blackberries with splash of tar and cigar. — 2 months ago

with Jeni

Sagee Aran

9.1

Medium to full, strong tanin that smoothen with in one hour from opening. Tasty. — 20 days ago

Kelley Raymond

9.1

A lot of body and texture, with smooth tannin and not too dry — a month ago

Aaron Tan

9.3

Now this is what I’m talking about! Best of this Bouchard haul. I wonder how much vintage played a role. Dense and intense, yet so chiselled. Aromas of pears, peaches, brioche, white flowers, spices, and even a touch of jackfruit were just bursting out of the glass. Super dense, precise, and long on the palate. Has a really interesting plummy mid-palate note, and lovely salinity. Loved it! — 2 months ago

Jose Lorenzo

9.4

My opinion, Best Spanish producer of whites right now. Beautiful balance and finish. — a month ago

Santo Ricceri

8.9

Red fruit and light body with smooth tannins. Very drinkable — a month ago

Neal Ferry

9.1

Great repeating value — a month ago

with TwiLea

Lee Pitofsky

9.4

Love these wines! 100% Grenache layered with minerality. — 2 months ago