Clos du Val
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
St. Helena, California, USA
2006
13.5%
$21.00 -- Costco, Austin, TX
Color: Deep garnet
Nose: Cherry, vanilla
Body: Medium to full
Front: Cherry
Middle: Cassis, sage, oaky creaminess
Back: Blackberry, cigar wrapper, soft tannins
Burns clean?: Yes
Cap: Cork
I've been unimpressed by Clos du Val lately, but at 21 bucks, I'm thrilled with this. It's not big, but it's interesting; uncharacteristic for Napa, but with strong fruit. Though it's low in alcohol, I didn't find that it was radiantly excellent with food; with roasted vegetables, it was lovely, though.
I'm about due for the Austin wine bar report, my top wines of the last year, and my report on Napa wineries: I swear to my loyal readers that both of you will see these things ere August is out!
{Note, 2014: The 2010 Clos du Val Cabernet is splendid. They keep raising the price, unfortunately.}
