Who makes it?

Yettalil is a lush red blend from one of the best Napa Valley regions, Stags Leap. Yettalil is a nickname of one of the Clos du Val winery’s founders, Henrietta Goelet. The story goes that John and Henrietta Goelet tasked Bernard Portet to find them a vineyard anywhere in the world to make fine red wine. Portet found the vineyard in Stags Leap and Clos du Val was born. 

Intriguingly, Bernard Portet is the brother of Dominique Portet. Dominique did some vintages with Bernard at Clos du Val after graduating with his winemaking degree. Dominique then went on to establish his own estate in the Yarra Valley, Australia. He has been making excellent wines there since 2000.  Prior to that, he is credited for his part in establishing sparkling wine in Australia. Specifically with his work with Taltarni and Clover Hill. 

Their vineyard Hirondelle is around 120 acres and currently features 9 different clones of Cabernet Sauvignon. Their other site, Riverbend Vineyard grows more Cabernet, but also other Bordeaux grapes.  Clos du Val offer a more immediately approachable Cabernet blend as well.

To a review on Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon, please click here.

How do they make it?

Yettalil is a Bordeaux red blend. It features Cabernet Sauvigon, of course. However, expect to also find Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot and even Carmenere.  It is no surprise though, that Cabernet Sauvignon is king here making up around 70% of the blend.

The blend spends around 20 months in French oak barrels to mature. The majority of that oak has already seen a season or two. 

What does it taste like?

In the glass this wine has an opaque ruby hue. A lush perfume ripe plums and black currants wafts over the rim of the glass. The flavours finish with a caramel cream, nutmeg, black currant and a minerally graphite.

The wine is full bodied as you would expect. There are some very shapely powdery tannins. It is very plush, yet at the same time rather elegant. Those tannins finish soft and velvety. Warm, spicy and smooth. It is big on giving generously. 

What to drink it with?

Yettalil will be a rather fine match with roast red meat. Venison, lamb and beef.   

Cheese

This is a bold red and will work with matured hard cheeses such as Cheddar, Manchego and Comte.  

Quickie review « An intriguing red blend that has a heart that is very much Stags Leap region. »

Country of Origin:  Stags Leap District, USA
Tasting Date: June 2024
Price: US$200 ++
Drink: now – 10+ years 
Needs food: yes
Source: tasting

If you like elegant red wines, why not check out:
Henschke Henry’s Seven
Donnafugata Mille e Una Motte
Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier
Colome El Arenal Malbec

Visit Clos du Val for more.