Clos du Val, Stags Leap District (Napa Valley, California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

 The 150-acre Hirondelle, the brightest star in Clos du Val’s firmament of vineyards, has yielded Cabernet grapes that contribute complex fruit flavors to the wine, while the barrels in which the wine was aged add some toasty oak elements.  A light suggestion of baking spices also shows up in the aromas.  This isn’t a massive, densely flavored Cabernet, but it is still very young.  If you aren’t planning to cellar it I strongly recommend decanting before serving.  Served recently with a beautiful rib steak, it was fascinating to see how the wine opened and evolved during the course of the meal.