Clos du Val Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley

Description

Clos du Val Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley is a Bordeaux-inspired white blend of 83% Sauvignon Blanc and 17% Smillon, bottled at 13.514.1% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2022 vintage earned 93 points from James Suckling and 91 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, along with a Gold medal at the Sunset International Wine Competition.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.514.1% | Origin: Napa Valley, California | Sauvignon BlancSmillon Blend | Producer: Clos du Val

Production & Heritage

Clos du Val was founded in 1972 in the heart of Napa Valley’s Stags Leap District and remains a family-owned estate now in its third generation. The Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from the winery’s State Lane Vineyard in Yountville and is fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel, preserving varietal purity and bright acidity. In 2021, Clos du Val sold its Carneros vineyard and discontinued Pinot Noir and Chardonnay production to refocus on its Bordeaux-variety heritageCabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Sauvignon Blancmaking this bottling a direct expression of that renewed commitment. The inclusion of 17% Smillon is a deliberate nod to white Bordeaux tradition and sets this wine apart from the majority of Napa Sauvignon Blancs, which tend to be 100% varietal.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with honeysuckle and citrus blossom before building into riper layers of pineapple and passion fruit. Subtle herbal undertones of lemongrass and dried grasses add aromatic complexity.

Taste: The entry is bright and citrus-driven, led by grapefruit and tangerine. At mid-palate, the Smillon contribution becomes apparent, lending a silken, medium-bodied texture and flavors of Comice pear and green apple. Acidity remains energetic throughout, keeping the fruit sharply defined.

Finish: The finish is lively and surprisingly lengthy, carried by vibrant acidity and a faint salted mineral quality. Lingering notes of pineapple guava and apricot fade gradually.

How to Drink Clos du Val Sauvignon Blanc

Serve well chilled, around 4550F, to let the aromatics unfold without dulling the acidity. This wine is expressive on its own but also versatile in lighter cocktails and wine-based drinks. A White Wine Spritzer highlights its citrus core and keeps it refreshing on warm days. A French 75 variation substituting sparkling wine with this Sauvignon BlancSmillon blend brings a rounder, more textured result. A Hugo Spritz plays well off the wine’s floral honeysuckle and herbal lemongrass character.

Best For

• Warm-weather entertaining alongside seafood and charcuterie spreads
• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates Bordeaux-style white blends
• Pairing with a multi-course dinner as the opening white selection
• Introducing someone to premium Napa Valley whites beyond Chardonnay

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Clos du Val Sauvignon Blanc taste like? It leads with bright grapefruit, tangerine, and green apple, supported by a silky mid-palate texture from the 17% Smillon, and finishes with energetic acidity and lingering tropical fruit.

How does Clos du Val Sauvignon Blanc compare to other Napa Sauvignon Blancs? Most Napa Valley Sauvignon Blancs are bottled as 100% varietal wines, while Clos du Val blends in 17% Smillon, which adds body and a rounder mid-palate texture more reminiscent of white Bordeaux. The stainless-steel-only fermentation also keeps the profile crisper than oak-aged Napa alternatives.

Is Clos du Val Sauvignon Blanc good for sipping on its own? Yesthe balanced acidity, aromatic complexity, and medium body make it a rewarding wine to drink without food, especially when served well chilled.

Where is Clos du Val Sauvignon Blanc made? It is produced by Clos du Val, a family-owned winery founded in 1972 in Napa Valley’s Stags Leap District, using fruit from the estate’s State Lane Vineyard in the Yountville appellation.

What foods pair well with Clos du Val Sauvignon Blanc? Grilled shrimp or seared scallops complement the wine’s citrus acidity. Fresh goat cheese mirrors the bright, tangy profile. Herb-roasted chicken works with the lemongrass and dried grass notes. A light Thai green papaya salad plays off the tropical fruit character. Oysters on the half shell pair naturally with the wine’s mineral, saline finish.

What sizes does Clos du Val Sauvignon Blanc come in? It is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Clos du Val Sauvignon Blanc worth the price? With 93 points from James Suckling and 91 from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, it positions as a premium Napa Valley white that over-delivers relative to many similarly priced single-varietal bottlings, particularly given the added complexity from the Smillon component and the estate vineyard sourcing.

Why Clos du Val Sauvignon Blanc?

This wine represents Clos du Val’s deliberate pivot back to its Bordeaux rootsa strategic decision that involved selling off the Carneros vineyard and eliminating Burgundian varieties entirely. The 83/17 Sauvignon BlancSmillon blend is uncommon in Napa Valley and gives the wine a textural dimension that pure-varietal bottlings rarely achieve. Stainless-steel fermentation keeps the fruit honest and the acidity intact, while estate fruit from State Lane Vineyard in Yountville provides a specific sense of place. Recognition from James Suckling (93 points) and Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (91 points) confirms this is a serious Napa white, not just a portfolio afterthought behind the Cabernet.