Clos du Val returns to its roots with Yettalil 2022, a sophisticated blend that pays homage to its Bordeaux-inspired legacy in Napa Valley.
Few names in California wine carry the historical weight of Clos du Val. Its Cabernet Sauvignon famously stood tall in the 1976 Judgment of Paris, helping to cement Napa Valley’s reputation on the world stage. A decade later, victory in the 1986 rematch further underscored its standing as one of Napa’s finest producers. Yet as bolder, flashier styles came to dominate, Clos du Val receded from the spotlight, content to offer reliable wines while neighbors commanded acclaim and soaring prices.
That narrative is shifting. With the release of Yettalil 2022, Clos du Val signals a return to form. Now in its third vintage, Yettalil is both a tribute to the winery’s Bordeaux-inspired beginnings and a statement of its vision for the future.
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Crafted under the guidance of winemaker Carmel Greenberg and stewarded by third-generation owner Olav Goelet, Yettalil 2022 is composed primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon, balanced by Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Carmenère, and Petit Verdot. Sourced entirely from the estate’s Stags Leap District vineyards—where cool breezes and rocky soils yield fruit of exceptional structure and depth—the wine showcases the elegance and restraint that once set Clos du Val apart in the historic 1976 Judgment of Paris. On the nose, dark berries, sweet cherry, and sage unfold, followed by a silky palate marked by supple tannins and a vibrant, lingering finish. It’s a wine that whispers rather than shouts — a return to balance over boldness.
The name Yettalil honors Henrietta “Yettalil” Goelet, Olav’s grandmother, whose grace, elegance, and subtle strength make her the perfect namesake for the brand’s rarest and most age-worthy wine. In Olav’s words, “Yettalil is the wine my grandparents dreamed of—a legacy fulfilled and the north star for Clos du Val’s next half-century.”
Beyond its craftsmanship, Yettalil embodies Clos du Val’s guiding philosophy: that wines of true character are born from the harmony between grape and ground. Rooted in the Goelet family’s Bordeaux heritage and shaped by a style of winemaking that helped lay the cornerstone of Napa Valley, the “Bordeaux blend” here is not simply a term of art—it is a legacy and a creed. Pure and unadorned, Yettalil is designed for cellaring, rewarding patience as it gradually reveals layers of aromatics, texture, and nuance. It reflects a belief that wines of depth emerge from ecosystems of abundance, where careful farming allows the fruit to speak with authenticity. From the rocky soils of Stags Leap, this careful marriage of grape and terroir imbues Yettalil with an enduring sense of place.
At $200, Yettalil is not just a collectible bottle—it is Clos du Val rediscovering its soul. A wine that bridges past and future, honoring Bordeaux traditions while affirming Napa’s enduring capacity for elegance, restraint, and timeless beauty.