Clos Du Val Reflections

Clos Du Val opened in the early 1970's in Napa Valley, set off of the Silverado Trail in what would later become the Stags Leap AVA.  Their style was more European than most in California and has remained so over the years.  It had been at least twenty years since I tried one of their Chardonnays so I remedied that with a bottle of their 2008 Carneros vintage pictured in the glass above. 

The color in the glass was clear, bright and pale yellow.  The nose was a little bit woodsy but with citrus and pineapple coming through as well.  This was a nicely proportioned wine in the mouth, full without being overbearing.  Definite apple notes up front with pineapple and a bit of mango coming in at the end.  Nice mineral quality to the finish on this wine.  

Dinner was gray sole, dusted with a light coating of flour and pan seared in some clarified butter.  There was a pan sauce with a touch of the wine, some lemon juice, capers and parsley to finish it out.  The fish was rich and melting in the mouth and the wine was just about perfect with it.  Very easy meal to finish and sip more wine. 

13.5% alcohol and $24