What’s up Napa Cab? You’re not always easy to drink straight out of the bottle. Except when you are….
About the Wine: The Clos du Val 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 7% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot all harvested from various vineyards within the Napa Valley AVA. The wine was fermented in stainless steel (Ah! That’s why it was so fresh…), undergoing regular pumpovers two to three times daily. The wine then fermented in combination French and Hungarian oak (65% new) for 20 months.
14.5% ABV
Flavor Profile: I don’t have extensive tasting notes because I spent more time enjoying this wine than writing about it. Plus it was the man’s birthday and we were having a great time cooking, eating, and—yes—drinking this wine. The aroma was a beautiful combination of spices with a hint of vanilla, but the red fruits really came through both on the nose and on the palate. A vibrant acidity played a special role in keeping this wine fresh from start to finish with a relatively light body (though a solid structure to be sure). Sure, you could age this wine, but why? You can drink it now, it’s fun now, and there are so few Napa Cabs (although there is a shift happening…) that are ready to drink now!
Food Pairing: Slow cooked short ribs, potato mash, and roasted veg.
More Info: I received the Clos Du Val 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon as a sample for review. (Cheers Olav!) Price: $52. For more information about Clos du Val, their wines, and to purchase wine directly, please visit the Clos du Val website.
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