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)
— 7 months ago
Wonderful Zin- enjoying the 2013 vintage- hint of tobacco - pairing with Salmon - Brisket- will definitely try again — 2 years ago
Very good! — 5 years ago
At Hakkasan — 11 years ago
YES. Light and smooth — 7 months ago
Decanted for 2 hours. Still big, no signs of fading. Did not drink enough before it was consumed to review properly, but seemed a touch sweet. — 2 years ago
Demon slayer. — 3 years ago
Bright and citrusy. Would drink again. — 4 years ago
Beautiful garnet color with flashes of magenta. Ripe fruit on the nose with a hint of radish. Medium bodied, a little puckery and not overly sweet. Carbonic glou glou, as a reviewer said before. — 6 years ago
It’s nice pleasant wine with floral, bitter almond and citrus aromas. Dry, balanced acidity, alcohol and body. Quiet short length. — 7 years ago
A little throw back Charleston Wine Festival circa 2014 with my bestie Brooke! — 10 years ago
Very tasty! Smooth. A little spicy. Is that plum? — 11 years ago
Thanks Jack! — 5 months ago
2019 vintage. A nice blend. Dry and dark enough for my taste with a complex and interesting palette — 6 months ago
Pretty much a perfect pet nat.
Light salmon pink hue
Aromas of dried roses, strawberries, and watermelon that also come through in the palate — with yeasty, earthy effervescence.
I drank this 2 years ago and still think about it… — 8 months ago
Christmas dinner bottle #2. — 2 years ago
13.5% ABV Salute to Lulu Peyraud of Domaine Tempier in France. Lulu’s father owned the vineyard , and she along with her husband took it over. Sadly we lost her in October 2020 at the age of 102 y/o. This is a blend of old vine Mataro and Grenache. Light salmon color, watermelon initially , later apple. Very nice! — 2 years ago
2012 LJ Franc - simply delicious. Kudos once to C Carpenter. — 9 years ago
Great fruit. Soft tannins. Really well balanced. Great bottle of wine. — 11 years ago
Jeremy Shanker
Sommelier at RN74
A much more serious take on Merlot than most do in Napa. Graphite, blackberry, cacao. — 5 months ago