Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (1982)

About this wine

Clos du Val helped define modern Napa Cabernet, starting in the early 1970s when the winery quickly became known for a Bordeaux minded, valley wide style. The 1982 vintage shows that classic Napa mix of ripe black fruit and savory detail, with Black Currant and Black Cherry at the core. Cedar and Tobacco Leaf come through as the wine opens, giving it that old school Napa character that feels both familiar and distinctive. On the palate it leans structured and steady, with a pencil lead sort of graphite note that keeps the fruit feeling precise instead of jammy. The finish carries Dark Chocolate and a gentle dried herb hint, leaving a long, composed impression that feels very true to the era.

About the grape

Cabernet Sauvignon, a cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, originated in France and became Napa Valley's signature grape due to its adaptability to the region's climate and soils. Clos du Val, established in 1972 with French backing, was part of a wave of European investment in Napa during the 1970s. Their 1982 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon reflects the culmination of this Franco-American collaboration, showcasing the grape's potential in Napa's terroir.

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 1982 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon was crafted from grapes grown in the Stags Leap District, an area renowned for producing some of Napa Valley's most elegant and age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignons.
• 🇫🇷 Clos du Val was founded in 1972 by American businessman John Goelet and French winemaker Bernard Portet, who sought to create Bordeaux-style wines in Napa Valley.
• 🏞️ The name 'Clos du Val' translates from French to 'small vineyard estate of a small valley,' reflecting the winery's commitment to producing wines that express their unique terroir.
• 🌧️ The 1982 vintage in Napa Valley was marked by a rainy winter and spring, followed by a cooler summer, resulting in wines with balanced acidity and moderate alcohol levels.

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.