Review: Wines of Clos du Val, 2020 Releases
Here are four new releases from Napa-based Clos du Val, representing their more summery bottlings, made with fruit from the winery’s Carneros-based estate vineyards or its properties in Yountville to the north.
2019 Clos du Val Estate Pinot Noir Rose Carneros – A rather doughy expression, this rose offers fairly muted strawberry notes, with an element of pancake batter weighing it down. A mild floral character emerges on the finish, with a mild, brown butter unctuousness that feels a bit out of place. B / $30
2018 Clos du Val Estate Chardonnay Carneros – There’s a nice balance of buttery oak and brisk fruit here, giving the palate a density atop which notes of green apple, fig, and lime can all play in harmony. There’s a solid and soothing slug of vanilla on the lengthy finish, which makes it lovely as an aperitif — but a perfect pairing at dinnertime, too. A- / $55
2019 Clos du Val Estate Sauvignon Blanc Yountville – A pushy sauvignon blanc, the wine is initially a little grassy but ultimately retreats to some more astringent notes of ammonia and mixed greenery. A somewhat tough lemongrass note mixes citrus and herbs on the finish, fading out with a quite drying character. B / $30
2017 Clos du Val Estate Pinot Noir Carneros – This is a softer shade of pinot, lightly meaty and quite dry, with notes of blackberry bramble, charred wood, and a dark cherry note — though all of that is placed atop a gentle, almost innocuous body. The wine could benefit from more depth, though the citrus peel notes that emerge from time to time offer some unique nuance. B+ / $40
2017 Clos du Val Estate Pinot Noir Carneros
$40
