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Press

Women, winemakers and their top-scoring wines

“Carmel Greenberg is a Viticulture and Enology graduate from the University of California, Davis with in-depth knowledge of and experience in crafting super-premium Napa Valley wines; Cabernet Sauvignon being her specialty.

At Clos du Val, Carmel brings her strong foundational education and work and life experiences to the forefront to craft terroir-driven, Bordeaux-style red wines.”

Clos du Val's 50 Years A-Growing

“Clos du Val winery, located in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

That in itself is a testament to their success in the ultra-competitive Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon market, but what makes Clos du Val so unique is the fact that the founding partners at that time worked in Bordeaux, and selected this California locale where they would grow grapes that would allow them to produce wines in a style that mirrored classical offerings…”

Clos du Val Gets Back on Course

“…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…”

Accolades

Clos du Val Press - Decanter World Wine Awards

97 Points
2018 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley

“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.”

Clos du Val Press - Jeb Dunnuck logo

96 Points
2016 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Hirondelle Vineyard, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley

“The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Hirondelle Vineyard is all Cabernet from a vineyard in the Stags Leap region. Its inky purple color is followed by a seriously good bouquet of blackcurrants, black raspberries, crushed rocks, spice, and cedarwood. It’s rich, full-bodied, beautifully concentrated and deep, yet is still slightly tight and closed on the palate. Give this beauty 3-4 years of bottle age and it will keep for two decades or more. It’s a brilliant bottle of Cabernet.”

Clos du Val Press - Vinous logo

96 Points
2016 Three Graces

Hirondelle Vineyard, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley

“The 2016 Red Blend Three Graces is stellar. Rich and unctuous, the Three Graces also has terrific freshness and plenty of structure to play off its more extroverted learnings. Dark red cherry, plum, espresso, bittersweet chocolate, rose petal and spice build as this racy, potent wine shows off its flamboyant yet polished personality. Dollops of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot round out the blend.”

Clos du Val Press - Wine Enthusiast logo

94 Points
2018 Estate Cabernet Franc

Hirondelle Vineyard, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley

“Showing a wealth of oak on the nose, this full-bodied wine is dense and concentrated in cassis and dark cherry, with a burst of violet accenting it all. The tannins are well-managed and integrated, helping to boost the structure and underlying elegance. Enjoy through 2028.”

Clos du Val Press - Jeb Dunnuck logo

96 Points
2016 Three Graces

Hirondelle Vineyard, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley

“The flagship is the 2016 Red Blend Three Graces, which checks in as 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. It too is inky colored and boasts a rockingly Cabernet nose of blackcurrants, tobacco, crushed rocks, lead pencil, and graphite. It’s pure, has full-bodied richness, and sweet tannins, and is a profound wine.”

Clos du Val Press - Wine Advocate logo

95 Points
2016 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Hirondelle Vineyard, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley

“Deep purple-black in color, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Hirondelle Vineyard needs a little coaxing to reveal layers of very pretty black and red currants, black cherries and wild blueberries scents with underlying hints of new leather, dried mint, aniseed and fenugreek plus a waft of black olives. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a lot of character, harmony and depth, with the savory-accented black fruits superbly framed by ripe, grainy tannins, finishing long and refreshing.”

Clos du Val Press - Wine Enthusiast logo

93 Points
2018 Estate Chardonnay

Carneros, Napa Valley

“Reductive and salty, this impressive wine is structured and cohesive, a memorable experience in its lovely grasp of jasmine, lemon and tangerine. Rich complements of brioche and vanilla bean come to fore on the long finish.”

Clos du Val Press - James Suckling logo

92 Points
2017 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley

“This has an ultra-concentrated, seamless and plush feel with impressive detail and drive through the palate. Aromas and flavors are in the plum, dark-cherry and blackcurrant zone. This is super plush and suave. Long aging potential. Drink or hold.”

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