Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (1979)

About this wine

The 1979 Clos du Val Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley offers a rich tapestry of flavors that have evolved beautifully over time. On the nose, it presents appealing aromas of ripe cherry, plum, and currant, leading into a well-focused palate. The wine is slightly tannic with a touch of leather, adding depth and character. As it finishes, complex notes of herb and coffee emerge, showcasing its maturity. This vintage reflects the classic style of Clos du Val, known for producing wines that age gracefully and develop intricate flavors over decades.

About the grape

Cabernet Sauvignon, a grape that originated in France, has become Napa Valley's signature varietal. Clos du Val, established in 1972, played a significant role in this transformation. Their 1972 Cabernet Sauvignon gained international acclaim at the 1976 Judgment of Paris, where it competed against top French wines. This event showcased Napa Valley's potential to produce world-class Cabernet Sauvignon, solidifying the region's reputation in the global wine industry.

Quick facts

• 🏆 Clos du Val's 1972 Cabernet Sauvignon was one of only six California Cabernets selected for the famous 1976 Judgment of Paris Tasting, where California wines triumphed over French wines.
• 🍇 The name 'Clos du Val' is French for 'small vineyard estate of a small valley,' reflecting the winery's French heritage and its picturesque Napa Valley location.
• ⏳ The 1979 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Clos du Val is known for its aging potential, with some bottles still offering complex flavors and aromas decades later.
• 🌄 Clos du Val's vineyards are located in the Stags Leap District, an area renowned for producing some of Napa Valley's most elegant and age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignons.
• 🤝 The winery was founded in 1972 by American entrepreneur John Goelet and French winemaker Bernard Portet, combining New World innovation with Old World winemaking traditions.

Palate profile

Producer

Clos du Val, established in 1972 by John and Henrietta Goelet, is a family-owned winery located in Napa Valley's Stags Leap District, California. The Goelets, with ties to Bordeaux's esteemed wine merchant Barton & Guestier, enlisted French winemaker Bernard Portet to find an ideal location for producing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon. Portet's search led him to Napa Valley, where Clos du Val's inaugural 1972 Cabernet Sauvignon gained international acclaim by participating in the 1976 Judgment of Paris, a blind tasting that elevated California wines on the global stage. Today, Clos du Val continues to craft balanced and complex wines, maintaining its legacy of excellence.