Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

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)
— 7 months ago

Gary Nishimura

8.9

Fine wine. A light Zin. — 3 years ago

Brendan Baker

9.1

Persistent fine mousse, wild strawberries, slightly vegetal, fun and fresh 😋 — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Blend of mostly Merlot with a little Petit Verdot, deep Ruby with aromas of ripe dark fruits, sweet spice and espresso notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry, plum and black cherry with toasty oak, cacao and espresso. Fine soft tannins, long finish ending with fruit, oak and sweet pepper spice. Still has room to age, but nice now! — 8 months ago

George M Wood

9.3

Yet another Napa Quake survivor. Probably my favorite winery and wine (really the Cabernet Franc) this old friend (was going to gal, but trying stay under the radar) held up just fine. @LaJotaVineyards — 2 years ago

with Nury

Matt Nason

9.2

Citrus. Almonds. Vanilla. Oxidation. Cool little wine. One in a Semillion. — 3 years ago

Brendan Baker

9.2

Blackberry, cedar, full body, fine tannin 😋 — 3 years ago

Willem Booij

9.6

This is the 1997 collection, not a Blanc de Blanc but equal parts of Chardonnay, Pinot Munier and Pinot Noir. 20 years on its leas this is a fine example of a beautiful aged champagne. Nice gesture from my colleagues to celebrate my 60th birthday😋 — 2 years ago

with Rick and Yvo

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Deep Ruby with aromas of dark fruits and some herb notes, mostly Cab Sauv with small amounts of Merlot, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec, aged 16 months in 44% new French oak. On the palate flavors of blackberry and black cherry with sweet spice, cedar and notes of cacao. A consistent wine and a good value. Medium+ finish, fine tannins, well balanced ending with fruit , toasty oak and herb tobacco spice. — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Blend 52% Petit Verdot, 26% Malbec & 22% Cab Sauv, deep Ruby with aromas of red and black fruits with notes of black pepper. On the palate flavors of blackberry, black cherry and ripe plum with cacao, leather and pepper. Fine tannins, medium+ finish ending with cedar, vanilla and black fruits. Good value. — 3 years ago