1996 Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Community Tasting Notes (28) Avg Score: 91.0 points

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  7/19/2019 - WStubble wrote: 93 Points

  Stood it up in my cellar some weeks ago and kind of forgot about it. Soft cork, needed the Ah So to open. Light garnet, some bricking, tea, cherry and menthol on the nose. Very smooth, slightly sweet, and just a touch porty, tannins fully resolved. Overall quite good.

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  10/31/2016 - Otis500 Likes this wine: 92 Points

  Even fresh out of the bottle showed incredible fruit. Of course grew more complex as dinner progressed. This will not disappoint any Cal Cab lover.

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  4/26/2016 - boses Likes this wine: 93 Points

  Wow ! I had taste of this at the winery in November and boy did this live up to the taste I had. Whoever said Napa wines can't survive twenty years in the cellar ? A well reserved Napa as this was sure can and Clos Du Val is surely more French in its style than most - think nice St. Julian just more fruit - I love the maturity of this wine - it's structure was almost flawless , nice color with minimal bricking and just a hint of fading at the rim with a still solid core. The nose is immense - and persistent - truffle , mushroom , Gamey , leather with Rich stewed red fruit in the background - the fruit becomes more apparent with a few swirls - a hint of coffee and sweet toffee also emerges. The attack on the palate is still youthful and you can feel the immediate twinge of the 13.5% alcohol but it recedes fast to reveal luscious , silky but not overly sweet fruit layered with incensed licorice and some barbecue flavors on the mid palate - the finish is slightly gravelly and quite long , juicy , savory and not dry and persistent - a wine to Savour - we paired it with foie gras, orichette pasta and scrumptious suckling pig and even a tiramisu - it went Along wonderfully.
  
  I can only say I am glad I have another bottle of this and a few more Clos du Val in the cellar ! Super nice !

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  4/3/2016 - slapsht007 Likes this wine: 91 Points

  Definitely showing it's age, but still a sophisticated drink. Little fruit left. Layered and textured.

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  12/25/2015 - glou.sf Likes this wine: 92 Points

  Cassis, pepper, leather, and mushrooms on the nose. Good balance, well integrated tannins. Medium finish. Nicely aged Napa Valley Cabernet.

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