391737 Sat Apr 14 16:02:34 -0700 2007 2 34 Wine 0 2481268 As a big fan of Clos Du Val's Cabernet's, I was curious as to why the 2002 Clos Du Val Stag's Leap District Cabernet was almost twice the price of their normal bottles? I was shocked to see a bottle for $60-something at BevMo today, when I had recalled buying the 2000 and 2001 vintages for around $25-30 in the past. Now some basic research has now lead to find that this is a different label, "Stag's Leap District" rather than their regular Cabernet, but this leads to to a 2 part question. Was 2002 an especially good year for them? Is this bottling something special, or just an attempt to capitalize on the popularity of the Stag's Leap name? Thanks. Sat Apr 14 16:02:34 -0700 2007 59888 VealParmGuy 1 2481649 Clos du Val's regular Cabernet is labled Napa Valley, so the fruit for that wine can come from any part of Napa Valley. Stag's Leap is a small district in the Napa Valley with its own appellation, and known for growing superior fruit. (It's also the home of Shafer.) That's the reason for the higher price. Is that wine worth the higher price? That I cannot tell you. Sat Apr 14 19:09:45 -0700 2007 2481268 18222 maria lorraine 2 2487312 As Maria Lorraine points out, single vineyard, certain AVAs and sub-AVAs command a higher price, due to either exceptional fruit, or the perception of exceptional fruit. It is very common. Just check out a Montrachet (FR, Burg, fairly broad region) and Le Montrachet (small single vineyard). The diff. is about 400%. Hunt Mon Apr 16 19:50:38 -0700 2007 2481649 11329 Bill Hunt