2019 vintage. A nice blend. Dry and dark enough for my taste with a complex and interesting palette — 2 months ago
Virgin cruise. Bad dinner. Scarlett lady — 12 days ago
Thanks Jack! — a month ago
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)
— 3 months ago
Within a few minutes the opening notes change from what was lighter fruit to dark notes with bitter lace of coffee, fig, and bark. Cranberries sparkle through as an acidic tone then takes over with a tight and elegant finish. — a month ago
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. — 2 months ago
Kit Lewis
Middle of the road body. Nose is tart raspberry and roasted plum. Palette is macerated strawberry with a hint of basil. Crowd pleaser. Could cocktail or pair with food very easily. — 11 days ago