You might have missed it, but something’s been up at Napa’s Clos du Val winery, namely that it’s been moving out of the supermarket and into the high-end. We reviewed some of Clos du Val’s newest releases a few months back, but more recently we visited its revamped, redesigned tasting room on the Silverado Trail. In this upscale setting, we found that the wineryhas moved to small production wines, dropping from 90,000 cases of production per year to just 35,000 cases, all grown from estate grapes and, by and large, sold only at the winery and to wine club members.

Here’s a look at several of Clos’ current releases, all of which were tasted on site during our visit. Some of these are repeats of our tasting from earlier in the year, so feel free to compare and contrast tasting notes with those in the link above.

2015 Clos du Val Estate Merlot Hirondelle Vineyard Stags Leap District – Soft and very floral, with big notes of violets, eucalyptus, and some mild coffee character. A / $65

2015 Clos du Val Estate Cabernet Franc Hirondelle Vineyard Stags Leap District – 90% cabernet franc, 10% cabernet sauvignon. Chocolate and cherry notes meld with vanilla, creating a very soft and lush wine with well-integrated tannins. A standout. A / $100

2013 Clos du Val Estate SVS Cabernet Sauvignon – 93% cabernet sauvignon, 7% merlot. Much more brooding than the preceding wines, with its fruit dialed back. Some vanilla here, along with lots of black pepper. B+ / $75

2015 Clos du Val Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Hirondelle Vineyard Stags Leap District – 100% cab. Such a departure from the SVS, sweeter with ample cassis and with notes of vanilla and some gentle mint character. The tannic grip is intense but fulfilling. A- / $100

1993 Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley – A library release poured from magnum. Tons of barnyard here, as the wine is showing its age. Notes of sherry and a sharp character of mushroom and vegetal earth give it an austerity, but it’s still hanging in there with a touch of lively — though fading — fruit. B / $210 (magnum)

2015 Clos du Val Three Graces – 54% cabernet sauvignon, 45% cabernet franc, 1% petit verdot. Lots of blackberries and flowers, a really impressive integration of styles, touched with a bit of mint. A- / $175

closduval.com

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