Napa Valley Cabernet Pioneer Releases New Vintage of Its Icon Wine
Today Clos du Val—the third-generation, family-owned winery in the heart of Napa Valley’s Stags Leap District—releases to the world the new vintage of their flagship wine of the estate, 2021 Yettalil. Clos du Val specializes in fresh, elegant, Bordeaux-style wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. The wines of Clos du Val are unique due to its philosophy of blending varietals together to create the complete expression of its vineyards. The picturesque winery is surrounded by its 120-acre Hirondelle Vineyard, with Atlas Peak as its backdrop.
Courtesy of Clos du Val
With its first vintage in 1972, Clos du Val was one of many inspired wineries to form in a golden era of winemaking in the Napa Valley in the early 1970s. The love letter of John and Henrietta Goelet, the property continues to express their shared passion for French wines and global travel. Empowering young French winemaker Bernard Portet, son of the then technical director of Château Lafite-Rothschild, to use his instincts and expertise soaked up by osmosis to find a site capable of growing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon proved to be fruitful. Their inaugural wine—1972 Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon—showed brilliantly at the 1976 Judgement of Paris, and 10 years later the same wine (current vintage) took the top prize at the rematch! We cannot overstate the impact Clos du Val had on cementing the reputation of wines from Napa Valley, and California in general, on the world's stage.
Click here to purchase a bottle of 2021 Yettalil (SRP: $200)
Olav Goelet, the 3rd generation owner, has been leading real change at Clos du Val since embarking on an every-day role at the winery as of 2019. He inherited a talented and motivated team, but they were missing a clear vision and direction. The new release of 2021 Yettalil is a clear indication that the vision and direction are back on track. “Having gone through a generational transition in ownership, and with my grandparents having reached an age where they were less capable of engaging, there was a need for the family to reset the course, define a clear vision and bring that to life within the organization. Today, we have a talented and committed team, aligned to a vision and strategy shared by the owners, and we have family involvement day-to-day in the business to help set the objectives and ensure alignment is held across the business,” said Olav.
Courtesy of Clos du Val
Courtesy of Clos du Val
Unbound by the constraints of a single varietal, Yettalil is the fullest expression of CdV's Stags Leap District Estate. A wine made primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon, the blend is supported by Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot.
A beacon of their winemaking ethos, Yettalil marries elegance with subtle power, exuding freshness and seductive aromatics. This wine forms a layered conversation on the palate, where structure and power adjoin supple finesse, concluding with a wonderfully long finish. While the wine is approachable upon release, it can also be enjoyed for many years to come.
The name Yettalil
When searching for a name to support our new flagship Bordeaux-style blend, it was only fitting to look to the woman who has inspired generations of the Goelet family to pursue their passions, chasing adventure and embracing the joy of bringing happiness to others: our founding matriarch, Henrietta Goelet. While she is known by her friends and family as Yetta, her husband, John, lovingly called her Yettalil.
“My grandmother’s grace, elegance, and subtle strength make her the perfect namesake for this wine.” – Olav Goelet, Third-Generation Owner & CEO
Winemaker Carmel Greenberg comments on 2021 Yettalil:
Showcasing the finest fruit of our Hirondelle Estate vineyard in the renowned Stags Leap District, the 2021 Yettalil opens with expressive aromas of black cherry, cassis, fresh thyme, and spice. The first sip gives way to a beautifully balanced palate of vibrant acidity, polished tannins, and a plush texture. A core of concentrated raspberry, dark chocolate, and black tea notes culminates in a long, smooth finish.
“We are looking to make a terroir-driven wine that will best showcase our Stags Leap District fruit and climate, while staying true to our style.” – Carmel Greenberg, Winemaker
Courtesy of Clos du Val | Photo by Mike Larson
Click here to purchase a bottle of 2021 Yettalil (SRP: $200)
