The Clos Du Val: I tasted through a line of Reserve Cabs, including a 1996 (deep, multilayered with a distinct savory finish), and a 2000 that was simply singing, as was the 2004 Stag's Leap (in a very young way). The 1996 Classic (their basic bottling) was much leaner and more reticent than the 1996 I had earlier this month, with more herbal-ness and even a hint of bell pepper (versus the richness of my bottle) Still, these wines are all lovely, with deep fruit, tobacco and leather nuances even in their youth, well-integrated tannins, and good acidic bones for long term aging. Great earthy character that really appeals to me. Clos Du Val staff tend to be more quiet than Chimney Rock, but they know their stuff (plus, they now recognize me, the short fat guy who always stops buy in bicycling clothes!)
Chimney Rock's wines were a little more problematical to me now. I tasted through a range of "Reserve" Cabernets from 2000-2003. I liked the 2002 the most, with some deep dark fruit. Overall, the wines seemed brighter and lighter, with more of a red fruit character. Definitely thinner and higher in acidity. Still, I found the wines less interesting-far more fruit-driven and fewer secondary, earthy nuances. The 2004 Elevage is darker and more savory (and significantly more affordable) yet lacks the tannic structure for long term aging, maybe??? The other factor is that the Chimney Rock wines are significantly more expensive. Reail prices for the 2000 Clos Du Val Reserve was $95 (still mucho dinero) but the Chimney Rock was $130?. Maybe it is good to prefer less fashionable wineries and styles of wines?
I know Chimney Rock gets much more press visibility. The crew at Chimney Rock ARE consistently some of the nicest folks in the Valley, so I will give them their props. I'm just not sure I like the style of the wine as much as Clos Du Val or, for Stags Leap, Stags Leap Wine Cellars. I like the earthy deepness and fuzzy, fine grained tannins of the latter houses more. The person at Clos Du Val noted theat she had tried the Chimney Rocks at a party and she found them an interesting contrast with their own wines. House palate versus something different, she noted. I am happy to have a bottle of the Elevage in my cellar, as it seems to be opening nicely. Probably my favorite Chimney Rock wine-and cheaper by far than the Reserve cabs.