2019 Clos du Val Yettalil
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Tasting notes
Lastly, the 2019 Red Blend Yettalil is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec that's all from the Stags Leap District. Currants, black raspberries, savory herbs, lead pencil shavings, and camphor are just some of its nuances, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a supple, layered, elegant mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and a gorgeous finish. It's a beautiful complex, layered, nuanced 2019 that readers will love.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
A Bordeaux-inspired blend, the 2019 Yettalil Red Wine is considerably darker, deeper and richer than the Napa Valley Cabernet. Scents of cassis, pencil shavings, loam and mocha all appear on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is expansive and velvety without getting jammy or overly broad. Perhaps most important, for a wine that will presumably be consumed along savory dishes, it's nicely savory itself, with earthy notes and gentle tannins punctuating the long finish.
A dense nose of blackcurrant, woody spice and crushed blackberry. Full-bodied and rich. Slightly chewy tannins. Vanilla and toasted herbs on the cozy, plush palate. Nicely balanced and intense. Really pure dark-fruit character.
The 2019 Yettalil is new flagship wine in this range that replaces the Three Graces. Delicate and understated, the 2019 is not particularly expressive today. There is a bit of tightness that suggests the 2019 is recovering from its recent bottling. Even so, my impression is that this is a work in progress. (AG)