“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 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…”

“…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…”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”