New Release from Winemaker Carmel Greenberg
"This season, we are delighted to release our 2022 Hirondelle Estate Cabernet Franc from our home vineyard in the heart of Stags Leap District, Napa Valley.
This year’s release is particularly exciting, as the Cabernet Franc is not only blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, but also the addition of Carménère, a newly planted varietal on our Hirondelle Estate. Originating from the historic Medoc region of Bordeaux, Carménère is prized for its thick-skinned grapes that impart a stunning depth of color and a soft, harmonious character to the blend.
The 2022 Hirondelle Estate Cabernet Franc opens with fresh aromas of cranberry, sage, truffle, and a hint of rose petal. The palate is soft and well-rounded, showcasing vibrant acidity, silky tannins, and lingering flavors of boysenberry, plum, and black tea."
Harvest Update from Viticulturist Ryan Decker
"The smell of crushed grapes fills the air here at Clos du Val as we kick off the 2024 harvest season! We officially began our harvest on Friday, August 23rd, starting with Sauvignon Blanc, clone 22 from our Riverbend Estate Vineyard in Yountville.
It feels like only yesterday we were pruning the vines in winter, and now we find ourselves processing the first fruit of the 2024 vintage. The swift transition from winter to harvest is largely driven by this year’s weather patterns. Unlike last summer, when we saw only a handful of days above 90 degrees, this season has brought warmer temperatures, though with just one or two heat spells in July. This heat has been beneficial in several ways: it curtails active canopy growth, allowing the vines to concentrate on fruit development, and it restricts berry size, leading to greater concentration of flavor and color in our wines.
As veraison arrived in the vineyards in late July and into August, so did the fog. Locally, we call it Fogust for a reason! This natural cooling system provides the grapes with a few extra hours of cooler temperatures in the mornings and evenings, helping to preserve the freshness and balance that Clos du Val wines are renowned for. Overall, it has been a fairly typical year in the vineyards, but as those who enjoy Napa wines know, a “typical” Napa vintage is anything but ordinary!
Cheers to a bountiful 2024 harvest season!"
2022 Hirondelle Estate Cabernet Franc
Stags Leap District, Napa Valley
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