Clos Du Val Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Clos Du Val Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is a Napa Valley Cabernet-dominant red blend bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. This vintage earned 94 points from Wine Enthusiast and 93 points from James Suckling, reflecting the winery's renewed commitment to estate-grown fruit and reduced production volumes.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2021  |  Winery: Clos Du Val  |  Blend: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 5% Malbec, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot

Production & Heritage

Clos Du Val was founded in 1972 and remains family-owned, drawing fruit from estate vineyards in the Stags Leap District and Yountville appellations — two of Napa Valley's most respected sub-regions for Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2021 vintage was aged for 17 months in French oak barrels, 30% of which were new, lending structure without overwhelming the fruit. In recent years, the winery made a deliberate decision to cut overall Cabernet Sauvignon production nearly in half, focusing almost exclusively on estate-grown grapes — a move that concentrates quality and distinguishes Clos Du Val from many larger-production Napa houses.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with freshly crushed blackcurrants and blackberry, followed by layers of plum, cassis, and violet. Subtle wafts of wild thyme, sage, and charcoal add a savory, earthy dimension beneath the dark fruit.

Taste: On entry, the palate is lively and vibrant with bright cranberry and red plum before giving way to deeper flavors of black fruit, baking spice, and cedar at the mid-palate. The medium to full-bodied frame carries moderate, grippy tannins that provide structure without heaviness, with a freshness that keeps the wine expressive and well-balanced.

Finish: The finish is medium-long with lingering notes of mineral, charcoal, and dark cherry. A thread of tree bark and earthy tannin slowly fades, leaving a clean, savory impression.

How to Drink Clos Du Val 2021

This Cabernet is best enjoyed at cellar temperature (60–65°F) with 30 to 60 minutes of decanting to let the layered aromatics fully unfold. It drinks beautifully on its own but has the structure to anchor several classic wine cocktails. A Cabernet Sangria benefits from the wine's dark fruit intensity and spice backbone. A Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) becomes more nuanced than usual thanks to the mineral and herbal complexity. For a lighter option, a New York Sour gains depth from the wine's bright acidity and cherry undertones when floated on top.

Best For

• Cellaring for three to seven years to let the tannins integrate further
• Gifting a Napa Valley wine enthusiast who appreciates estate-driven producers
• Pairing with a dry-aged steak dinner or holiday prime rib
• Adding a critically acclaimed bottle to a Cabernet Sauvignon vertical collection

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Clos Du Val 2021 taste like? The dominant profile centers on blackcurrant, black cherry, and plum, supported by baking spice, cedar, and a savory mineral-charcoal undertone. It is medium to full-bodied with vibrant acidity and firm, grippy tannins.

How does Clos Du Val 2021 compare to Silverado Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon? Both are estate-focused Napa Valley Cabernets at a comparable price tier, but Clos Du Val leans slightly fresher and more structured with its French oak aging and Stags Leap District fruit. Silverado tends toward a rounder, more fruit-forward profile, making the two wines complementary rather than interchangeable.

Is Clos Du Val 2021 good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the balanced acidity, layered aromatics, and medium to full body make it an excellent stand-alone sipper, especially after brief decanting to open up the herbal and spice notes.

Where is Clos Du Val 2021 made? Clos Du Val is located in Napa Valley, California, with estate vineyards in the Stags Leap District and Yountville appellations. The winery has operated from this celebrated region since its founding in 1972.

What foods pair well with Clos Du Val 2021? Grilled lamb chops work well with the wine's herbal thyme and sage notes. Dry-aged ribeye matches the grippy tannins and dark fruit intensity. Braised short ribs mirror the earthy, mineral undertones. Aged Gruyère or Comté cheese complement the cedar and baking spice character. Roasted portobello mushrooms echo the wine's charcoal and earthy depth.

What sizes does Clos Du Val 2021 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Clos Du Val 2021 worth the price? Positioned in the mid-premium tier for Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2021 vintage delivers strong critical validation — 94 points from Wine Enthusiast and 93 from James Suckling — which places it favorably against peers at its price level. The estate-fruit focus and reduced production further support its value proposition.

Why Clos Du Val 2021?

The 94-point score from Wine Enthusiast is the headline, but what earns this wine its reputation is the deliberate shift behind the scenes. Clos Du Val's decision to cut Cabernet production nearly in half and pivot to almost exclusively estate-grown fruit means fewer bottles with greater concentration and site specificity. The 2021 blend — anchored by 86% Cabernet Sauvignon with supporting roles from Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot — reflects a true Bordeaux-style sensibility refined through 17 months in French oak. Among Napa Valley Cabernets at this tier, few can claim both the pedigree of Stags Leap District fruit and the restraint of a producer willing to sacrifice volume for quality.