In a valley where heritage is often bought and bottled, Clos du Val remains a true family affair. Founded in 1972 by John and Henrietta Goelet, the estate helped put Napa on the international wine map—and more than fifty years later, it’s still in the hands of the same family.
“Yettalil” is Clos du Val’s flagship blend, originating from the winery’s renowned Stags Leap vineyards. Usually, it’s a Bordeaux blend with a dominant Cabernet.
The wine displays aromas of red and black fruits, including blackberries and raspberries, along with notes of lavender, cedar, and graphite.
“…with a new generation of ownership and another winemaker change, Clos du Val is making a concerted effort to get back in the game. And the winery aims to do it by getting back to its roots, focusing on Cabernet bottlings made in a more restrained style.
Olav Goelet, 32, represents the third generation of his family’s ownership. After working for a fishery in Massachusetts and some of the family’s other agricultural interests, Goelet moved to California in 2018. Since then, he’s found the winery taking up more and more of his attention…”
One of the wines that helped to put Napa Valley on the map with its appearance at the famed 1976 Judgement of Paris tasting, Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon has been a steady presence in the valley for more than 50 years.
Clos du Val Winery is celebrating this Earth Day by unveiling its 2024 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc and 2024 Rosé, both packaged in lightweight glass. This important evolution underscores the winery's commitment to sustainability, significantly reducing its carbon footprint while continuing to produce wines of exceptional quality.
Clos du Val, established in 1972 - seemingly a long time ago in Napa Valley - has always been on my favorites. The primary reason why I’ve always loved the offerings from here is the fact that the style of the wines has always favored elegance and finesse over power and intensity.
by: 2023 Decanter World Wine Awards
“Interesting nose showing flinty notes with grapefruit aromas and nuances of fennel, ginger and nettle, mineral undertones. Flinty on the palate, very tasty, with a zesty acidity and elegant mineral finish, very persistent.”
by: 2022 Decanter World Wine Awards
“This Cabernet Sauvignon from the promising 2019 vintage is midnight black in colour, and its aromas (at this youthful stage) are full of floral charm as well as ripely tender blue and black fruits. The tannins are delicate and the fruit-infused acidity is soft and tender.”
by: 2022 Decanter World Wine Awards
“Nose of dark, rich, juicy cassis and plum with lovely floral leafiness, hedgerow fruits, dried herbs and a hint of umami. Great concentrated fruit ripeness on the palate, with a firm, grippy tannic structure. Long, crunchy finish with ripe redcurrant and fleshy red fruit.”
by: 2021 Decanter World Wine Awards
“Polished aromas of lovely ripe dark fruit and chocolatey spicy oak, with floral and herbal notes. An expressive and fresh palate with purity of fruit, juicy tannins, and a solid length. Approachable now and will age well.”
by: Lisa Perotti-Brown
“The medium to full-bodied palate is lively and well-structured, featuring firm, ripe tannins to frame the muscular fruits, finishing on a lingering fragrant earth note.”
by: James Suckling
“Medium-to full-bodied with firm tannins and a fresh, juicy-fruit profile. Polished and smooth with an array of succulent berries and blue flowers in the aftertaste.”
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“In the early ‘80s, my grandfather, John Goelet, commissioned cartoonist Ronald Searle to create a series of illustrations capturing the quirks and charm of the wine world. John and Ronald had become close friends through their shared love of the arts and humor and wanted to bring joy and laughter to the world of wine. I remember fondly my childhood leafing through a series of books that documented these illustrations. Something I keep at my desk as a reminder that wine should never be taken too seriously and that humor will always liven the mood. We wanted to share this as a way of remembering my grandfather, and bring some joy and humor to our world of wine without compromising the focus and attention we bring to our craft.”
–Olav Goelet, Third-Generation Owner