“The 2022 Yettalil, the estate’s top wine, is superb.” - Vinous

The ICONIC Clos du Val has re-entered the chat, y’all! This time, their FLAGSHIP 99 POINT Stags Leap District Red is in play.

If you’re naming a wine after the founding matriarch, you better believe it’s gonna deliver. But at what cost? Normally seen in the $159 to $225+ range. But we trim prices like GLPs do waistlines, so naturally we’re leaving about 50% of that behind.

Got some? Good, because we have FAR less than usual.

Clos du Val has been a fixture of Napa Valley since 1972. No doubt, having a prime slice of the valley plays a big role in their rise to fame. Stags Leap District is one of the smallest and most prestigious sub-appellations in all of Napa, and home to their Hirondelle estate vineyard. This beloved site is surrounded by those owned by Shafer, Chimney Rock, FUTO, and Regusci. And for this Bordeaux-styled blend, they anchor with 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, rounding it out with 8% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot, 6% Malbec, 5% Carménère, and 3% Merlot.

Vinous recently caught up with the modern-day developments at the iconic winery: “I was very impressed with the wines I tasted on my most recent visit to Clos du Val. Proprietor Olav Goelet and Winemaker Carmel Greenberg are making all the right moves, lowering volumes and increasingly focusing on quality. That comes through in wines that impress from top to bottom.”

As mentioned, this wine serves as a tribute to the late matriarch of the estate, Henrietta Goelet. Her friends called her ‘Yetta’ and her husband, John, lovingly called her ‘Yettalil.’ Driven by deep black fruits, this is inky and dark with a brooding style that benefits from some air upon opening. Once it does, all that spicy, fruity, perfumed goodness starts popping off like fireworks. Laced with damson plum, black currant, and red cherries, which mingle with a cool hoisin-type note, plus some lovely lilac and violets kicking in the finish. Classic stuff, built to impress, and it’ll surely continue to improve with some more cellar time.

Very little to spare of this collectible, rarely seen in the wild!

99 Points - The Tasting Panel “A wine made to evolve in the glass, this wine speaks to its surroundings, for its quality, style, and lush texture. It starts with aromas of blueberry-accented lavender and moves to silky tannins with a wink at dusty garrigue. Juicy, soft, and broad, with a line of espresso in between its layers.”

97 Points - James Suckling “Fragrant and expressive with aromas of red and black currants, lavender and fresh spearmint. Medium- to full-bodied with supple texture and fine, integrated tannins. There’s a cool-fruit elegance, layered with floral spices and a touch of cedar. Balanced and refined with quiet persistence. Very good. Drink now or from 2028.”

95 Points – The Wine Independent “The 2022 Yettalil is blended of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot, 6% Malbec, 5% Carménère, and 3% Merlot, delivering a deep garnet-purple color. After a little shaking, evocative notes of plum preserves, crème de cassis, and black cherry compote begin to emerge, followed by touches of menthol, tilled soil, and graphite with a hint of cardamom. Full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with juicy black fruits and firm grainy tannins, lifted by a lively backbone, finishing long with a spicy kick. Drink 2026-2045,”