Clos de Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Clos de Napa Cabernet Sauvignon is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2022 vintage earned 92 points from Wine Enthusiast, which praised its ripe black fruits, cocoa, and velvety texture — a strong showing for a wine positioned well below the price of many Napa peers.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Producer: Clos de Napa Cellars

Production & Heritage

Clos de Napa Cellars produces this Cabernet Sauvignon using small-lot methods, with hand-harvested fruit and traditional fermentation designed to preserve varietal purity. The winery emphasizes sustainable vineyard practices and minimal intervention, letting the character of Napa Valley's soils drive the wine's personality. The producer has stated that the sourcing of its Napa fruit is notably premium for the price tier, suggesting vineyard partnerships that punch above the wine's positioning — a detail that helps explain its consistent critical scores across multiple vintages.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe blackcurrant and dark cherry lead, followed by layers of cedar, vanilla, and dried herbs. With time in the glass, subtle earthiness emerges alongside notes of dark plum and mint.

Taste: The entry is full and round, with black plum and cassis anchoring the mid-palate. Toasted oak and baking spice build toward a peak of dark chocolate and cocoa. Tannins are firm but well-integrated, and a vein of mild acidity keeps the wine's richness balanced rather than heavy.

Finish: Medium-to-long, carrying blackberry, mocha, and dried tobacco. The texture remains velvety through the close, with moderate tannins that leave a lasting but approachable grip.

How to Drink Clos de Napa Cab

This wine is best served at 60–65°F. A few minutes of air — whether decanted or simply swirled — opens up the cedar and chocolate notes considerably. It drinks well on its own or alongside a meal.

• Classic Cabernet & Steak Pairing: The firm tannins and dark fruit intensity match the char and fat of a grilled ribeye without either overpowering the other.
• Red Wine Sangria: The wine's ripe berry core and baking spice hold up when mixed with citrus and brandy, adding Napa-level depth to a crowd-pleasing pitcher.
• Kalimotxo: For a casual summer serve, the wine's richness and moderate acidity make a surprisingly good base when combined with cola over ice — a Spanish tradition that benefits from quality fruit.

Best For

• Introducing a Napa Valley Cabernet drinker to a value-driven bottling without sacrificing quality
• Serving alongside grilled red meats at a dinner party
• Gifting to someone who appreciates 90+ point wines without the premium Napa price tag
• Building a weeknight wine rotation with genuine appellation character

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Clos de Napa Cabernet taste like? It leads with dark cherry, blackberry, and cassis, then develops baking spice, cocoa, and toasted oak through the mid-palate. The finish carries mocha and dried tobacco on a velvety, moderately tannic frame.

How does Clos de Napa compare to Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon? Both wines express Napa Valley's hallmark dark-fruit intensity and oak influence, and both have earned scores in the low 90s from major critics. Robert Mondavi is the more established benchmark with decades of name recognition, while Clos de Napa positions as a more straightforward, accessible entry into the appellation at a lower price tier.

Is Clos de Napa Cabernet good for sipping neat? Yes — the well-integrated tannins and layered fruit make it a satisfying stand-alone pour, especially with a brief decant to let the cedar and chocolate notes develop fully.

Where is Clos de Napa made? Clos de Napa Cabernet Sauvignon is produced by Clos de Napa Cellars using fruit sourced from vineyards in Napa Valley, Northern California. The 2023 vintage of the standard bottling specifically lists Yountville as its sub-appellation.

What foods pair well with Clos de Napa Cabernet? Grilled ribeye steak complements its firm tannins and dark fruit. Braised short ribs mirror the wine's cocoa and earthy undertones. Aged cheddar or Gruyère balance its oak-driven spice. Dark chocolate desserts echo the mocha finish. Herb-crusted lamb chops play off the dried-herb aromatics in the nose.

What sizes does Clos de Napa Cabernet come in? The standard bottling is available in the 750ml format.

Is Clos de Napa Cabernet worth the price? Clos de Napa positions as a value-tier Napa Valley Cabernet, consistently earning 91–92 points from Wine Enthusiast at a price point well below many comparable appellation wines. The producer itself has implied that the fruit quality exceeds what the price would suggest, making it a strong contender for drinkers seeking authentic Napa character without the typical premium.

Why Clos de Napa?

The core appeal here is verifiable: this is a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with multiple 92-point scores from Wine Enthusiast that lands at a fraction of the cost of many peers in the appellation. Small-lot, hand-harvested production and minimal-intervention winemaking give it a seriousness that many value-tier California Cabs lack. The wine delivers genuine varietal and regional character — dark fruit, integrated oak, velvety tannins, and real complexity on the finish — rather than the simple, fruit-forward sweetness common at this price point. For anyone who wants to drink Napa without paying Napa's typical premium, Clos de Napa makes a compelling case vintage after vintage.