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77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 5% Malbec, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot

It’s been well over a half century since Clos du Val burst on the Napa Valley scene in the early 1970s. How well we remember charismatic winemaker Bernard Portet and those early vintages of his elegant Stag’s Leap District Cabernets. Modeled by Portet to be a Bordeaux chateau in Napa (remember the French flags that lined the driveway?), his wines hit just the right chord between exhibiting the abundant natural sunshine granted him by the warm summers his vines enjoyed along the Silverado Trail and the complexity and panache his style of understated winemaking provided. Alas, over the decades the Clos du Val winery gradually became too big to stay small but remained too small to compete with the big guys, and, except to a loyal core of devotees, the Clos du Val style of wine became lost amongst the scores of newer, bigger, riper and ever-more expensive and expansive Cabernets. But Clos du Val has remained true to its roots, and even though the cast of characters at this beautiful estate have changed, it has remained firmly in family hands, and the winemaking philosophy has remained remarkably consistent. And as the world gradually comes to once again appreciate all that is traditional and true to its cause, maybe it’s time to reconsider the Estate Cabernet made at Clos du Val once again. While not as lean and herbal as in the old days, there is a deep streak of Bordelaise-like finesse that runs through this seamless, just-right Napa Valley Cab. The just-released 2022, fashioned from 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 5% Malbec, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot from the winery’s vineyards in both the Stag’s Leap District and Yountville, is beautifully fashioned with hints of bramble, loamy earth and mint chocolate adding complexity to a mid- to full-weight palate of sweet, velvety dark, dusky fruit that runs as much to blueberry as it does to black raspberry and currant. The 30% new French oak is already nicely integrated and, though we know how long a Clos du Val Cab can age (like the 1982 not too long ago), you’ll probably want to have a bottle tonight with a roast duck, leg of lamb or, of course, a roast beef! What a nice (re)discovery that’s still a great value to boot! Enjoy it at this very special introductory price too.

Tasting Panel, 96 Points: A wash of elegant liquid offers a whisper of sleek tannins guided by sweet earth, slate, purple plum, and black olive. Midpoint savory notes of fig, toasted cedar, and black tea meld with heather and blackberry on the well- structured and impeccably balanced palate. 96 points

James Suckling, 92 Points: Fresh and nicely framed aromas of red currants, stone and sweet tobacco. Medium-bodied with open-grained tannins and a creamy finish. Crunchy fruit. A blend of 77% cabernet sauvignon, 12% merlot, 5% malbec, 4% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Very drinkable now, but can improve with age. 92 points

Wine Enthusiast, 92 Points: #29 on The Wine Enthusiast 100: The Best Wines of 2024 A mix of black fruits spun through with stimulating and flavorful spices fill the mouth with juicy and savory flavors. These are carried by a balance of acidity and fine-grained tannins into a mouthwatering and lengthy finish.