Randy Fuller

9.4

This medium-dark wine offers a nose of black plums, blueberries and blackberries along with aromas of earth, tobacco, cedar, clove and nutmeg. I understand that the three segments - Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre- were vinified in both barrels and tanks, with no more than six months of aging. Given that, it is understandable that oak does not take a more prominent position.

The palate is loaded with dark fruit and savory notes, and it has a firm tannic grip with lively acidity. I had it with some sautéed meatballs and Petit Basque cheese. It paired excellently. — 8 days ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Opened and decanted about an hour before dinner. No formal notes. The 2007 B. Levet "La Chavaroche" is flat out beautiful right now. The aromatics are off the charts with gorgeous, ripe dark fruits, a bit of the animal, a veritable hillside of lavender, black olives, some deli case, black pepper, some leather and earth. The structure is still firm but everything is well integrated at this point; superbly balanced; great acid. The finish is long and has some ferrous minerals that I simply love. A sublime pairing with a Morgan Ranch Wagyu tenderloin served with corn purée, charred broccolini and juniper ash. The 2007's are absolutely ready to drink now with a short decant (mostly to remove any sediment) however, they will continue to drink well for another 10+ easy from good cellars.
— 9 months ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Clos du Val Wine Company Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, California

Time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a delicious Cabernet from Napa Valley.

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Strong nose of black currants, cherries, raisins, dried figs, cedar, licorice, vanilla, spices, tobacco, black pepper and dark chocolates.

Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and very fruity on the palate with blackberries, sweet cherries, tobacco, cedar, vanilla, leather, spices, earth, chocolates and black pepper.

Medium plus on the finish with round tannins and cherries.

This is a delicious and a classic Napa Cabernet. Exactly what you expect from one. Rich, yet not over the top and very chocolatey.

Still very young, but already very tasty. A beautiful Bordeaux blend with lots of potential. Very engaging and approachable at this young age.

Good right out of the bottle, but needs time to open up and show the tannins (90 minutes).

Showing great potential to become a 95+ point wine, and will age nicely in the next 10 years. Already showing nice complexity with a soft and smooth mouthfeel.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, and good with food too. Will pair nicely with a big piece of steak. I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec. Aged for 19 months in mostly French oak barrels (58% new).

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$52. — 3 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2021 vintage. Tasted with the winemaker, Matt. Slightly more body (solid medium) than expected. Pretty nose with well-blended earth, delicate berries and brusque fruits. Concentration for daze. 4.10.24. — a month ago

Tom Casagrande

9.5

This magnum was a gift from co-workers at my old job when I left to take a new one. Nice coworkers! So rich and resolved. This wine reminds me of Neil Young’s Vampire Blues. “I’m a vampire babe. Suckin’ blood from the earth.” Grenache pulled from God’s earth. Incredible intensity and length, but still entirely in balance. Length for days. Iodine, stones, blood. — 5 months ago

with Dan and Angelo

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; no formal notes. A mix of dark and red fruits with tobacco, earth and spices. The wine is finally matured and drinking very well now. It has lost all of the green tones that were more apparent in its youth. Everything is now fully fleshed out and should continue to drink well for another 5+ years. Really, these are some lovely (and age-able) wines from the Four Corners area of CO.
— 2 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

RRV has never been one of my favorite Zin regions, but an old vineyard like this trumps that. Even at this young age the nose is lively, with deep spicy blackberry fruit and gravelly earth notes. intense and quite structured on the palate, with full body and nice acids. I’m drinking it way too young. It will age beautifully. 9.32 right now, likely higher in a few years. — 5 months ago

Jonathan Wall

9.4

Rating refers to the last glass, which was the best. Our foul… upon opening it was almost a little thin and flat. But as we swirled it got better and better until there was quickly none left. Last glass had bramble, earth, caramel. Nice 1998! — 5 months ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.1

Yesterday for the 4th of July we opened the 2019 Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon. From Napa, California Napa Valley.

On the nose there was black cherry, blackberry, plum sauce, black currant, spice, graphite and earth.

On the palate there is a black cherry, blackberry, plum, black currant, chocolate, spice, green bell pepper, toasty oak and earth.

This is a full bodied wine with a smooth mouthfeel medium + acidity and medium + grippy tannins that leaves you with a long dark fruit graphite finish. I hope everyone had a blessed 4th of July enjoying family and friends. Please have a wonderful week ahead and stay safe and healthy. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 2 years ago

Jared O'Connell

9.2

Waxy red berries, cherry pie, mentos on the nose. Black cherries, clean minerality, hint of flat cola, wet earth. Energetic and vibrant but easy going, integrated mellow tannins. — 2 years ago