Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (1999)

About this wine

The 1999 Clos du Val Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley presents a deep, inky purple color, indicating its concentration and depth. On the nose, it offers powerful aromas of black currants, truffle, and subtle spice notes. The palate is broad and dense, with supple flavors of currant, blackberries, and blueberries, complemented by rich, thick, and intricate tannins. This wine has a lush and lengthy finish that lingers on and on. Notably, the 1999 vintage experienced a long, cool growing season, resulting in well-developed, highly colored, and intensely flavored fruit.

About the grape

Cabernet Sauvignon, a grape that emerged in 17th-century France from a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, is renowned for its thick skins and resilience, making it well-suited to various climates. In Napa Valley, this varietal found an ideal environment, leading to its prominence in the region. Clos du Val, established in 1972, has been crafting wines that highlight the unique characteristics of Napa's terroir. The 1999 vintage faced a long, cool growing season, but a warm Indian summer allowed the grapes to reach full maturity, resulting in a wine with well-developed flavors and deep color.

Quick facts

• 🍇 Clos du Val's 1999 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon hails from Napa Valley's renowned Stags Leap District, an area celebrated for producing elegant and age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignons.
• 🌦️ The 1999 vintage was characterized by a cool spring and mild summer, leading to a balanced and structured wine with rich flavors of blackcurrant, plum, herbs, and tobacco.
• 🏆 This wine received a 94-point rating from Wine Enthusiast, highlighting its potential for long-term aging and development.
• 🌍 Clos du Val gained international acclaim when its inaugural 1972 Cabernet Sauvignon participated in the 1976 Judgment of Paris, a blind tasting that put California wines on the global map.
• 🏞️ The name 'Clos du Val' translates to 'small vineyard estate of a small valley,' reflecting the winery's commitment to crafting wines that express the unique terroir of their vineyards.

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.