WTN: Clos Du Val Once Again

My blood sugar was crashing after a lengthy (for me) bicycle ride, and I know Clos Du Val has excellent chocolates This time, their basic tasting menu, which contains some wines new to me. Very brief notes.

2006 Carneros Pinot Noir. You see! Napa Pinots do not have to taste like cherry cough syrup! Nice Pinosity, with good cherry fruit, savory elements, and major earthyness. I like.

2005 Napa Valley Merlot. One cannot always give up on California Merlot. Excellent smooth tannins, some decent acidity, great cherry fruit, and that lovely, savory Clos Du Val earthyness that I love. For $19, which is basically what you pay for mid-grade industrial plonk!!!

2005 Napa Valley Cabernet. Some of the green edge I am finding in a lot of 2005 Napa cabs upon release, but here the green-tones serve more to add freshness, because the currant fruit and tobacco earthyness are already present in this basic bottling. See above for pricing. $24.

Thanks for the notes. I usually find Clos du Val and Clos du Bois wines worthy of a try but tend to confuse the two.

[Robin Garr]

Thanks for the notes. I usually find Clos du Val and Clos du Bois wines worthy of a try but tend to confuse the two.

This may have changed over the years, but my prejudice is that Clos du Val is relatively artisanal and Clos du Bois is relatively big-company commercial. I LOVE Clos du Val ... it was one of my first "professional" winery visits after I started writing about wine professionally (for the Louisville newspapers) around 1980.

Thanks for the notes. I usually find Clos du Val and Clos du Bois wines worthy of a try but tend to confuse the two.

This may have changed over the years, but my prejudice is that Clos du Val is relatively artisanal and Clos du Bois is relatively big-company commercial. I LOVE Clos du Val ... it was one of my first "professional" winery visits after I started writing about wine professionally (for the Louisville newspapers) around 1980.

Me, too, Robin. I've spent way too much on wine since I developed this hobby/passion/obsession and should cut back, but Clos Du Val is one wine club I won't quit.