Clearly Californian with a core of bright fruit but a satisfying restrained contrast that shows the estates homage to Bordeaux. The colour is a deep garnet and the wine has aromas of black fruits, cedar wood and leather. The palate is rich and complex with supple blackcurrant fruits and more complex characters of wood spice and graphite pencil and pencil shavings. The texture is focused with well structured tannins and great acidity. A wine that drinks brilliantly now and will age well for the next decade.
Clos du Val, French for “small vineyard estate of a small valley,” was founded in 1972 in the renowned Stags Leap District. The winery was first recognized for its Cabernet Sauvignon at the famed Judgment of Paris in 1976, establishing its place as one of Napa Valley's most iconic winery estates. Third-generation family-owned today, Clos du Val farms two estate vineyards in the Stags Leap District and Yountville appellations and continues to craft wines of balance and complexity, showcasing the fruit from the outstanding terroir on which their estate lies.
The vines for this predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon blend are over 30 years old and grow in gravelly clay loam. Fermented in stainless steel tanks with 2 pump overs daily. The wine is aged for 12 months in 30% new French Oak.
Carmel, Olaf and the winemaking team regard and use Château Pontet-Canet and Château Lynch-Bages as benchmarks for blending. The wine is made from 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 5% Malbec, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot.
Slam in the lamb! Alternatively medium rare porterhouse, red wine and bone marrow sauce. Then a really great classic cheese platter.
