Clos du Val Wine Co.
Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
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)
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)
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.
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.
Aug 4th, 2022
It's time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a delicious one.
Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim. Not showing age at all.
Fruity nose of blackberries, sweet cherries, cooked strawberries, spices, cedar, vanilla, licorice, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, light vegetables, pencil lead, peppercorn, leather and coffee.
Full bodied with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry and very fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, cedar, earth, vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco, mocha, coke, peppercorn, pencil lead and dark coffee.
Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Showing nice complexity with a nice mouthfeel.
Good right out of the bottle, and better with airtime.
This 6 years old is still young, but already enjoyable. Will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 10 years.
This is from a great vintage and it is showing beautifully right now.
Nicely balanced and fruit forward.
Loved the nose once it opens up.
Needs a couple of hours to open up properly, so be patient.
Robert Parker 90 points.
Thanks Elvira and David for sharing this with me.
Tasty and spicy. Delicious, rich and opulent.
A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc. Aged in French oak barrels (66% new).
14.7% alcohol by volume.
93 points.
$50.
It's time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a delicious one.
Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim. Not showing age at all.
Fruity nose of blackberries, sweet cherries, cooked strawberries, spices, cedar, vanilla, licorice, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, light vegetables, pencil lead, peppercorn, leather and coffee.
Full bodied with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry and very fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, cedar, earth, vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco, mocha, coke, peppercorn, pencil lead and dark coffee.
Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Showing nice complexity with a nice mouthfeel.
Good right out of the bottle, and better with airtime.
This 6 years old is still young, but already enjoyable. Will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 10 years.
This is from a great vintage and it is showing beautifully right now.
Nicely balanced and fruit forward.
Loved the nose once it opens up.
Needs a couple of hours to open up properly, so be patient.
Robert Parker 90 points.
Thanks Elvira and David for sharing this with me.
Tasty and spicy. Delicious, rich and opulent.
A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc. Aged in French oak barrels (66% new).
14.7% alcohol by volume.
93 points.
$50.
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.
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.
Still a solid 91+ in my book.
91+ points
Still a solid 91+ in my book.
91+ points
Dusty, dry, chewy. Red fruit makes it taste a little brighter. Would like to try this in 10-15.
Dusty, dry, chewy. Red fruit makes it taste a little brighter. Would like to try this in 10-15.
Dec 18th, 2020
Vanilla and spice, black tea, Matcha, white rose petals and a lovely Gravelly finish
Vanilla and spice, black tea, Matcha, white rose petals and a lovely Gravelly finish
Mar 13th, 2020
Happy Birthday Merica! Beautiful cab from this classic Napa estate. Elegantly integrated tannins. Subtle structure subtle fruit. All around delicious.
Happy Birthday Merica! Beautiful cab from this classic Napa estate. Elegantly integrated tannins. Subtle structure subtle fruit. All around delicious.
Jul 5th, 2019
All these young gents from a 2014 horizontal hosted by Mike Dunn at Brasswood estate last evening.
Thanks mike for sharing.
All these young gents from a 2014 horizontal hosted by Mike Dunn at Brasswood estate last evening.
Thanks mike for sharing.