Clos Du Val Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley is considered one of the premier wine regions in the world. Records of commercial wine production in the region date back to the nineteenth century, but premium wine production dates back only to the 1960s.

The combination of Mediterranean climate, geography and geology of the region are conducive to growing quality wine grapes. John Patchett established the Napa Valley's first commercial vineyard in 1858. In 1861 Charles Krug established another of Napa Valley's first commercial wineries in St. Helena. Viticulture in Napa suffered several setbacks in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including an outbreak of the vine disease phylloxera, the institution of Prohibition, and the Great Depression. The wine industry in Napa Valley recovered, and helped by the results of the Paris Wine Tasting of 1976, came to be seen as capable of producing the best quality wine – equal to that of Old World wine regions. Napa Valley is now a major enotourism destination.

California wine production has a rich viticulture history since 1680 when Spanish Jesuit missionaries planted Vitis vinifera vines native to the Mediterranean region in their established missions to produce wine for religious services. In the 1770s, Spanish missionaries continued the practice under the direction of the Father Junípero Serra planted California's first vineyard at Mission San Juan Capistrano.

The state produces about ninety percent of the American wine supply and is the fourth largest wine producer among the world's independent nations. It has more than 1,200 wineries ranging from home-grown and small boutiques to large corporations with international distribution.

Grape:  80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc

Tasting notes:   Blueberry, Cranberry, Lavender, Oak

Clos Du Val, founded in 1972, is an early entrant into Napa Valley. Their legendary debut Cabernet Sauvignon was one of only six California Cabernets selected for the famous 1976 Judgment of Paris Tasting. Ten years later that 1972 Cabernet took first place in the Judgment of Paris rematch. Clos Du Val is still family owned and still producing world class wines.

The Clos Du Val Cabernet is old world in style, complex, medium to full-bodied, and polished with supple tannins, balanced acidity, and a long, smooth finish. The vibrant palate exudes flavors of blueberry, black cassis, cranberry, red plum, cherry, lavender, smoke, vanilla, and a hint of tobacco. It is best served with all types of classic meat dishes: veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, ribs, or hamburgers.