Characteristic of Clos Du Val's world-class style, the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon continues the winery’s tradition of producing truly elegant wines of balance and complexity. Its opulent, brooding purple hue is accentuated with aromas of ripe black and purple fruit, black pepper and subtle hints of toast. The palate displays a seamless integration of intense flavors that include chocolate, toffee and blackberry. The wine has a rich yet powerful mouthfeel marked by focused, silky tannins and a long, lingering finish. Expect this Cabernet Sauvignon to age gracefully for an additional 5-10 years.

2008 will go down in history as a very strange year for grape growers. Spring was mild and so dry that many growers experienced water shortages. When bud break began in early March, everything seemed fairly normal until the evening frosts began in late April, igniting what turned out to be the most severe frost season in over 30 years.
Ten days of evening temperatures hovering at 25 Degrees F were immediately followed by a 105 Degree F heat wave. These severe temperature swings, coupled with 30 mph winds, reaped havoc on most Napa Valley vineyards. Our Stags Leap District vineyards were hit particularly hard resulting in the loss of nearly half of our crop. The remaining fruit, however, was stellar if not plentiful, as exemplified by this exceptional wine.