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Robert Parker (The Wine Advocate) on Bacio Divino…..
- 1993 Bacio Divino. Rating: 93+.
Outstanding, Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, August 1997
“Made by Claus Janzen, this wine, a 65% Cabernet Sauvignon,
25% Sangiovese, 10% Petite Sirah blend, is smashing! With an
opaque purple color, a sweet, classy nose of well-integrated
spicy new oak, and blackcurrant, cherry, and plum fruit, this
layered, full-bodied wine is loaded with extract, pure,
large-scaled, and lavishly wooded, but gorgeously knit
together as all of its component parts are in balance. The
wine remains youthfully grapy, but another 2-3 years of bottle
age should bring forth an original masterpiece. Drink it over
the next 15 years.”
- 1995 Bacio Divino. Rating: 94+
Outstanding, Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, August 1998
“The second awesome release for this tiny winery dedicated to
producing intriguing wines, the 1995 Bacio Divino (a blend of
66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Sangiovese, and 12% Petit Sirah)
is a formidable wine of exceptional richness, layers of
flavor, and a multi-dimensional personality. The color is a
deep saturated ruby/purple. The nose offers up juicy/jammy
strawberry, black currant, and blackberry notes wrapped with
subtle toasty oak. Full-bodied, with outstanding ripeness and
purity, a silky texture, and an explosive finish, this is a
sumptuous example of what can be done with three grapes rarely
blended together in such proportions. By the way,
sentimentalists will be moved by the government warning label
that reads, “contains sulfites and also contains some of the
winemaker’s heart and soul.” This wine should continue to
drink well for a decade.”
- 1996 Bacio Divino. Rating: 92
Outstanding, Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, August 1999
“Another terrific offering from this producer, the 1996 Bacio
Divino offers a spicy, oaky nose with notions of jammy cassis,
strawberries, and cherries. Full-bodied and complex, with a
dominant black fruit element upstaging the new oak nuances,
this fleshy, ostentatious, pure, gorgeously seductive wine
will drink well for 7-8 years. Kudos to wine-maker/proprietor
Claus Janzen.”
- 1997 Bacio Divino. Rating: 90.
Outstanding, Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, June 2000
This intriguing as well as innovative blend of 63%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese, 8 % Petit Sirah, and 9%
Merlot is again an outstanding effort. Already evolved and
delicious, the dark ruby/plum color is followed by aromas of
new saddle leather, black raspberries, plum liqueur, cherries,
and toasty, smoky new oak. Medium to full-bodied, with sweet
tannin, an open-knit, fleshy texture, and low acidity, this
California “super Tuscan look-alike” can be drunk now and over
the next decade.
- 1998 Bacio Divino. Rating: 90.
Outstanding, Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, June 2002
This full-bodied, textured, layered effort exhibits an opaque
purple color and lush, delicious, plum, cherry, black currant,
and sweet new oak notes. Deep, chewy, intense, and elegant, it
is on a fast evolutionary track. An undeniable success for the
vintage, it should be drunk over the next 6-7 years.
- 1999 Bacio Divino. Rating: 92.
Outstanding, Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, August 2002
"Another outstanding effort from Bacio Divino, this
distinctive blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Sangiovese,
and 10% Petit Sirah may be Napa's finest interpretation of a
proprietary red wine from Italy's Tuscan coastline. A dense
ruby/purple color accompanies sweet notes of black fruit,
charcoal, licorice, new saddle leather, and dried herbs. This
rich, multilayered, medium to full-bodied red possesses a
lush, hedonistic mouthfeel, complex aromatics, and a fabulous
finish. This is the real deal! Enjoy it over the next 6 - 8
years."
- “Who’s on First?”. Well, according to Robert Parker (Issue
#126, Jan. 2000 Wine Advocate), Bacio Divino Cellars is
considered as one of California’s finest producers of
proprietary cabernet blends. Just as noteworthy (to those
mindful of price) is that more wines in this elite list are
priced higher than Bacio Divino than are not!
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, December
2003 issue featuring Bacio Divino:
-
Bacio
Divino. 2000 Napa ($90) Red Rated 90, Outstanding.
The 2000 Proprietary Red Wine (a blend of 65% Cabernet
Sauvignon, 24% Sangiovese, and 11% Petit Sirah) is also
outstanding. An inky/ruby/purple color is followed by a
bouquet of charcoal, toasty oak, espresso roast, and black
currants. This dense, rich, full-bodied, sweet wine possesses
ripe tannin, low acidity, and a plump, layered, concentrated
style. It is a hedonistically as well intellectually pleasing
effort to enjoy over the next 7-8 years.
- Bacio Divino. 2001 Napa
($90) Red Rated 93+, Outstanding.
The flagship offering, and one of the most interesting blends
from northern California, is the proprietary Red Wine.
Composed of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Sangiovese, and 14%
Petit Syrah, it is a structured, closed, but dense, promising,
rich, deep, and full-bodied effort. Aromas of black fruits,
loamy soil, incense, minerals, pepper, and cedar are present
in this impeccably balanced offering. With good underlying
acidity and ripe tannin, this knock-out red should handsomely
repay cellaring. Give it 1-3 more years of bottle age, and
drink it over the following 10-12.
^ TOP OF PAGE
Critical Acclaim on 1993 Bacio Divino
- “Fresh, beautiful colour, berryish - like, cherries and
strawberries; good texture, feel and length; a winner, be
proud of it.” ....Tom Rochioli, Rochioli Vineyards,
Russian River V.
- “Zinfandel-like spice and flowers in the aroma; full, deep
flavours; rich; a 94 rating; Claus, your wine is unbelievable
for the first time around.” ....Bill Smith, La Jota
Vineyards, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley.
- “This new producer, Claus Janzen, has come out of the gate
with a lightning bolt release. Getting on the mailing list
is highly recommended. The wine has a lovely bouquet of black
cherry, raspberry, cassis, violets, chocolate and spicy
vanilla, with delightful hints of mint and licorice. The
supple flavours of cherries, currants, blackberries, pepper
and vanilla are very complex and elegant, with good depth and
balance and a fabulous fruit-tinged finish that lingers on and
on.” Rated 93+ Outstanding ....The Insiders’ Wine Line,
September 1997.
- “Without a doubt, destined to enormous success;
magnificent bouquet, an exuberant fruitiness; calls to mind
the best red wines of Tuscany; it is the most successful of
the California wines made all or in part with Sangiovese,
which I personally have ever tasted.” .....Jacques Benoit,
wine columnist, La Presse, Montreal.
- “Aromatic; more complex than a straightforward cabernet;
petite sirah apparent in the finish; great black cherry fruit;
good incorporation of oak into fruit with vanilla and oak
spice balanced; tightly knit, warm tannins." …Chris Phelps,
(formerly) Dominus Vineyards, Napa Valley.
- "Wonderfully enjoyable; terrific brightness, lovely
balance and great acidity; a terrific wine; will do very well
in Canada. ... David Lawrason, Globe and Mail Wine
Journalist and Editor of Wine Access Magazine, Toronto, Canada
Critical Acclaim on 1995 Bacio Divino
- The 1995 Bacio Divino is a blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon
(still from the vineyard of Helmut Ahollinger in Mount Veeder),
22% Sangiovese (Cal Showket’s vineyard in Stag’s Leap), and
12% Petit Sirah (Blair vineyard in Calistoga). The color of
the Petit Sirah matches that of the indigenous local mud
baths. Technically speaking, I would admit that the final
blend shares similarities to its predecessor in style and
complexity (you are constantly asking yourself what kind of
varietal it is), but there are differences. Foremost, the new
wine has more focus. The wine appears more integrated this
vintage, perhaps not as abstract as the ‘93. There is copious
concentration of red currant in the nose and aftertaste that
only the best Cabernet in our Valley can achieve. And once
again, the Sangiovese acids and linear tannins integrate
themselves with the Cabernet to bring about this puzzle of
varietal identity. Concentrating on the finish, you’ll find
the youthful depth that the Petit Sirah brings to Bacio.
Enough said for the technician? ….Claus Janzen, Wine-maker,
Bacio Divino
- The second awesome release for this tiny winery dedicated
to producing intriguing wines, the 1995 Bacio Divino (a blend
of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Sangiovese, and 12% Petit Sirah)
is a formidable wine of exceptional richness, layers of
flavor, and a multi-dimensional personality. The color is a
deep saturated ruby/purple. The nose offers up juicy/jammy
strawberry, black currant, and blackberry notes wrapped with
subtle toasty oak. Full-bodied, with outstanding ripeness and
purity, a silky texture, and an explosive finish, this is a
sumptuous example of what can be done with three grapes rarely
blended together in such proportions. By the way,
sentimentalists will be moved by the government warning label
that reads, “contains sulfites and also contains some of the
winemaker’s heart and soul.” This wine should continue to
drink well for a decade. .....94. Outstanding, Robert
Parker, Wine Advocate, August 1998
- This second vintage of Bacio Divino has good color and a
very attractive scent of spice and minerals. It is a
remarkably elegant wine, not one dimensional and monolithic
like many of the Californian wines. On the contrary, it is
complex and subtle, although with plenty of rich, ripe fruit.
It has a long-lasting intense flavor. Altogether a remarkable
wine. In fact, my friend Angelo Gaja was here when I tasted
the wine, and he echoed my sentiments. Bravo, Claus. ........John
Armit, John Armit Wines Limited, London, England.
- A blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Sirah.
Complex and perfectly balanced, with rich, dark fruit. One of
the most exciting new reds in the market. Pair with grilled
venison or roast lamb. ......Janet Fletcher and Debbie
Zachareas, San Francisco Chronicle, July 1998
- In June 1998, the Los Angeles County Fair’s Special Wine
Competition (a judging of over 2300 wines) awarded our wine
with 1 of a 172 Gold Medals.
- Bacio Divino is a small, family owned winery in Napa
Valley that makes one wine and one wine only, a “Super Tuscan”
style blend of three Italian varietals. It’s a winner, a
‘divine kiss’, as the winery calls it, and it will sell for
$50 a bottle. Trust us on this. This wine is already gaining
steam with high marks and across the board praise. Try to get
a bottle or two before it becomes even more of a trophy wine.
At a recent Christie’s Auction in L.A., two full cases of the
maiden 1993 Bacio Divino sold for $1265. each. Not bad at all.
Credit winemaker Claus Janzen for this success. ....For
Your Eyes Only, The First Sip, July 1998
- This remarkable wine has aromas of black cherry,
blackberries, currants, licorice, fresh forward plum, sweet
oak, violets, and cola with hints of dry citrus zest. On the
palate the rich, intense, complex flavours of black pit
fruits, layered berries, spice, tobacco, and roasted nuts are
very intense and rich, followed by a fabulous, long, fruity,
expansive finish. ... 93 points. Outstanding, The Insiders’
Wine Line, Vol.2, Number 6, July 1998
- Bill Smith, winemaker and proprietor of La Jota Vineyards,
inveterate mentor and guru to this aspiring winemaker, had
this to say about the 1995 Bacio Divino: “Spices, cloves, new
spicy oak with outstanding color, Claus; a gorgeous wine, full
on the palate, with a longgg finish. Great use of acid and
fruit tannins; will age well. I can’t remember what I told you
about last year’s wine, but this one is better.”
- This ersatz “Super Tuscan” hits the mark in terms of ample
fruit and oaky richness and offers an intriguing mix of
cassis, berries, coffee and sweet smoke in both its expansive
aromas and in its bright, but well-extracted flavors.
Moderately full and solidly filled on the palate, it is plush
and almost silky in feel with just a little firming from its
tannic spine. Still slightly rough at the very end, it should
benefit from four or five years of cellaring but is
sufficiently showy to succeed as a partner to savory lamb
dishes in the near term. ....TWO PUFFS, Connoisseur's Guide
to California Wine, September 1998
- “A Divine Kiss” is Claus Janzen’s second vintage of a
unique blend of grapes. Janzen seeks to “broaden the
distinctly majestic flavors of the King of Napa Valley’s
varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon.” .....rated 91 , The Wine
Spectator, October 1998
^ TOP OF PAGE
Critical Acclaim on 1996 Bacio Divino
- Mannie Berk , “Rare Wine
Company”, wrote about the new release of Bacio Divino.....
Of all the new “cult” wines from Napa Valley, one of the most
individual - and intriguing - is Bacio Divino, the
hand-crafted labor of love of Claus Janzen. Beginning with the
inaugural 1993 vintage, Bacio was made up of 65% Mt. Veeder
Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Stag’s Leap Sangiovese and 10%
Calistoga Petite Sirah. This unorthodox combination produced a
beautifully and subtly integrated red wine whose whole was far
greater than the sum of its parts. In just it’s first two
vintages - 1993 and 1995 (none was made in ‘94) --- Bacio
Divino has become perhaps the only California collectible not
to be made strictly from conventional Bordeaux or Burgundy
varietals. With auction prices that have occasionally exceeded
$200 a bottle, Bacio is now well-established on the short list
of highly sought-after California wines. Claus has now
released the 1996 vintage of Bacio, which presents a new
twist. The proportions of Sangiovese and Petite Sirah have
been reduced slightly, and 8% Merlot has been added. As in
previous vintages, the improbable mix of grapes magically
works, with the same kind of alchemy that marks such
eccentrically constituted wines as Australia’s Grange, Spain’s
Vega Sicilia and Italy’s Solaia. It is a supremely stylish
wine of remarkable deep color and serious complexity; it also
boasts stunning richness and beautifully round tannins. While
the Cabernet has the upper hand, the other varietals make
their presence known. Built-In Scarcity: Only 900 - 1000
cases of Bacio Divino have been produced in each vintage. Of
these, nearly a third goes to Europe, while a quarter goes to
virtually every top restaurant in Northern California, plus
carefully chosen restaurants elsewhere. A scant 100 cases are
made available to a handful of retailers of Claus’ choosing.
- Delicious, ripe, rich and complex, with layers of juicy
cherry, currant, blackberry, vanilla and spice. The long,
intricate finish keeps pumping out the flavors. Drink now
through 2007. ….rated 94, Outstanding. The Wine Spectator,
November, 1999.
- Bob Foley of Pride Mountain Vineyards, considered by
Robert Parker to be one of California’s premier wine-makers,
offered this rather clinical expose about the ’96 Bacio.
“Anise, spiciness’, jack cheese like. Medium body, silky
texture, seductively mellow. You can ‘chug’ this wine with no
fear of over pucker. Excellent hi-tone balance…..”
- With more than enough flavor and character to back up its
mighty price, Bacio Divino is a blend of Cabernet and
Sangiovese complexed by a dash of Merlot and Petit Sirah. In
1996, this combo worked to perfection to yield a supple
concentrated, exotic wine. It offers cedar, cherry fruit,
spice, and a touch of tobacco in a lush, balanced style.…rated
94, Outstanding, Norm Roby’s Guide to Winery Direct Wines,
October 1999.
^ TOP OF PAGE
Critical Acclaim on 1997 Bacio Divino
- June 6, 2000, issue 129, The Wine Advocate
414 wines tasted, 93 recommended
1997 Bacio Divino Proprietary Red Wine Napa Rated 90,
outstanding.
This intriguing as well as innovative blend of 63% Cabernet
Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese, 8 % Petit Sirah, and 9% Merlot is
again an outstanding effort. Already evolved and delicious, the
dark ruby/plum color is followed by aromas of new saddle
leather, black raspberries, plum liqueur, cherries, and toasty,
smoky new oak. Medium to full-bodied, with sweet tannin, an
open-knit, fleshy texture, and low acidity, this California
“super Tuscan look-alike” can be drunk now and over the next
decade.
- Prima, July 2000
Massive? No. Explosive! A compelling Napa Valley red destined
for a very long life. Cellar this one and in a few years it will
have seemed cheap.
- Wally’s, Los Angeles, August 2000
The most remarkable wine yet from proprietor Claus Janzen. This
marriage of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Petit Sirah and
Merlot earned a 92- point glowing Parker review for the 1996
version. Claus anticipates an even higher number for his
richly-endowed 1997 Bacio Divino.
- Wine Spectator, August 31, 2000
Lots of personality, with elegant, polished cherry, cola, wild
berry and spicy notes and a long, intricate aftertaste. Cabernet
Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Petit Sirah and Merlot. Drink now through
2005. 1000 cases made. J.L. Rated 91, outstanding.
- We offer you the following comments of respected wine-makers on
1997 Bacio Divino.
* Bill Smith (winemaker at La Jota Vineyards and Hellenthal
Vineyards)…. Spice,
w/ fig elements (weird, huh?), chunky, very rich, will age well,
long finish, outstanding wine…*
Bob Foley (wine-maker at Pride Mountain Vineyards)….. Big, ripe,
really ripe. Big, black, cherry, exuberant ripe cherry, almost
port-like on the palate. Big, round, thick, alcohol; extremely
ripe tannic finish. Harder spiced than the ’96, more daring,
more extreme, an ‘up your face’ wine…. *
Richard Mendelson (proprietor of Mendelson Vineyards)….. Rich,
youthful, earthy color. Nose of ripe red fruit, a veritable
round, red, wild lollipop, with nice oak coating of vanillin and
a touch of licorice and chocolate. Petite Sirah marks the palate
with its depth. Structure of cabernet and fruity attractiveness
of Sangiovese. Probably the most pleasing Bacio ever to drink.
Nice composition and weight. Earthy tones with good fruit
character. Keep wanting to drink more, which is a good sign.
I'll take six (strike that - 12). Lovely indeed. My favorite
Bacio to date. *
Charles Henricks (wine-maker and consultant at Barnett
Vineyards, Viader Vineyards, Regushi Vineyards, Paoletti
Vineyards, Stelzner Vineyards, and others) ….. A superior
full-bodied wine. Good length, nice balance, pleasant flavours
of ripe cherries, black licorice, and Chinese herb, like
ginseng, linger for quite a while. Black tea and cola aromas
with underpinnings of vanilla, spice and herb. After some months
in bottle, I would expect the subtle ripe fruit aromas to
emerge. *
Reginald Oliver (proprietor of El Molino Vineyards) ….Wonderful
wine, ripe and full, great color and depth, unbelievably smooth…
*
David Abreu (renowned vineyard manager; received a 100 pts. from
Parker for his cult Cabernet)… David very simply appraised the
’97 Bacio as ‘very good; clean, delicious wine, let’s talk about
it….
- Rare Wine Company, August 15, 2000
A California Original
Of all the new wines from Napa Valley, one of the most
individual is Claus Janzen’s Bacio Divino. In the inaugural 1993
vintage, Bacio was a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and
Petit Sirah. This unorthodox combination produced a beautifully
integrated red wine whose whole was far greater than the parts.
Bacio Divino quickly became one of the few California
collectibles not made strictly from conventional Bordeaux or
Burgundy varietals. With auction prices that have occasionally
exceeded $150 a bottle, Bacio is now well-established on the
short list of highly sought-after California wines.
1997 Bacio Divino:
Claus has now released the 1997 Bacio, created from 63% Cabernet
Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese, 8% Petit Sirah and 9% Merlot. Once
again, Claus’ unique grape mix displays the same kind of alchemy
that marks such eccentrically constituted wines as Australia’s
Grange, Spain’s Vega Sicilia and Italy’s Solaia. It is a stylish
wine of remarkably deep color and serious complexity. While the
Cabernet has the upper hand, the other varietals make their
presence known.
Only 1000 cases of Bacio Divino are made. Of these, nearly half
goes to Europe, while a quarter goes to virtually every top
restaurant in Northern California, plus carefully chosen
restaurants elsewhere. A scant 100 cases are made available to a
handful of retailers of Claus’ choosing. We’re proud to say that
we’re at the top of Claus’ list.
Robert Parker has been a fan of Bacio from the beginning. In the
most recent issue of ‘The Wine Advocate’, he warmly reviewed the
newly released 1997 vintage.
^ TOP OF PAGE
Critical Acclaim on 1998
Bacio Divino
- Animalisch und wild in einer ausgesprochen hochklassigen
Auspraegung; schoene Schokonoten, saftig, klare Frucht,
freundlich und fein, nah der Perfektion.
….. rated 94 – A La Carte, Winter 2001
translated: >>>>Gamy and savage in an exceptional and
high-class expression; beautiful, choclate notes, juicy,
clear fruit, friendly and elegant, near to perfection.<<<<
….. rated 94 – A La Carte, Winter 2001
- Rather smart Sangiovese on the nose, muted by Cabernet
Sauvignon (surprising since the respective percentages of
these two varieties are 25 and 62 plus 11 per cent of Petite
Sirah). This wine is certainly impressive and very well
balanced but fiendishly expensive. Dry finish. ….Rated
17/20, Jancis Robinson, February 2002
- Recommended New Releases: California
(A small percentage of recommended wines, only 300 out of
759 tasted)
Bacio Divino 1998, Proprietary Red Wine, California, rated: 90
- The 1998 Bacio Divino (a 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25%
Sangiovese, and 11% Petit Sirah blend) is a fuller-bodied,
more textured, layered effort exhibiting an opaque purple
color, and lush, delicious, plum, cherry, black currant, and
sweet new oak notes. Deep, chewy, intense, and elegant, it
is on a fast evolutionary track. An undeniable success for
the vintage, it should be consumed over the next 6 - 7
years. ...Robert Parker Jr.'s, The Wine Advocate, June
29, 2002
^ TOP OF PAGE
Critical Acclaim on 1999
Bacio Divino
- This is Claus' most exotic and enticing wine to date,
very forward, colorful, floral and elegant. The nose is
outstanding, marked by violet, blackcurrant, and a mélange
of other floral and fruit aromas, all enveloped in a
soothing sweetness. The wine has an excellent weight on
the palate and has a leaner structure than past vintages
of Bacio Divino, more understated and elegant, with lovely
oak flavors around the fruit core. This is a food wine and
opens up nicely as it breathes. My one knock on the wine
is that the explosive nose (incredible!) doesn't carry
over to the backbone of the palate, which is differently
structured than past Divinos, with leaner tannins and less
voluptuousness on the palate, a more understated and
elegant palate presentation. After one to two hours open
(not decanted) and with food, the wine opened up nicely.
How it develops in bottle will be very interesting. I
think it will score very well. .... Richard Mendelson,
February 1, 2002
- Bacio Divino: Deep velvet purple with opaque centre.
Aromas of coffee and chocolate with a touch of pepper.
Powerful flavours of coffee, chocolate, berries, and
vanilla, with mouth-filling substance, nicely judged
acidity and good length. Tannins fairly soft but very much
there. This also had softened considerably the next day.
...James Doidge, London, Feb. 2002
- "Rarely does a Super-Tuscan-style blend demonstrate
such accessibility in its youth. Slightly more predominant
in cabernet than in previous vintages, the '99's fruit
attack soars like a meteor shower, then seethes in the
palate like a cosmic bath of nearly unplumbable depths. Of
all the Bacio Divino vintages I've been privileged to
taste, the '99 may be the most inviting and the most
obliging complement to a fine meal. But it's no simpleton:
like an unforgettable encounter with a raven-haired
ingénue, one is left feeling exhilarated, intrigued, and
ultimately covetous."
- " Damsons, berries and a beautifully balanced nose.
The extra sangiovese gives this delightful blend a
softness and elegance that belies the undercurrent of
power and finesse. Deep purple with just a hint of
licorice, the wine whilst young and assertive nevertheless
has a truly ethereal quality and will mature to drink well
for many years"
MO rating 93.5, March 2002
- "Rarely does a Super-Tuscan-style blend demonstrate
such accessibility in its youth. Slightly more predominant
in cabernet than in previous vintages, the '99's fruit
attack soars like a meteor shower, then seethes in the
palate like a cosmic bath of nearly unplumbable depths. Of
all the Bacio Divino vintages I've been privileged to
taste, the '99 may be the most inviting and the most
obliging complement to a fine meal. But it's no simpleton:
like an unforgettable encounter with a raven-haired
ingénue, one is left feeling exhilarated, intrigued, and
ultimately covetous." …..Robert Draper, GQ Magazine,
February, 2002.
- This is Claus' most exotic and enticing wine to date,
very forward, colorful, floral and elegant. The nose is
outstanding, marked by violet, blackcurrant, and a melange
of other floral and fruit aromas, all enveloped in a
soothing sweetness. The wine has an excellent weight on
the palate and has a leaner structure than past vintages
of Bacio Divino, more understated and elegant, with lovely
oak flavors around the fruit core. This is a food wine and
opens up nicely as it breathes. ….Noted winemaker -
Richard Mendelson, February 1, 2002
- Deep velvet purple with opaque centre. Aromas of
coffee and chocolate with a touch of pepper. Powerful
flavours of coffee, chocolate, berries, and vanilla, with
mouth-filling substance, nicely judged acidity and good
length. Tannins fairly soft but very much there. This wine
had softened considerably the next day, suggesting a very
long wine life. …Wine professional - James Doidge,
London, Feb. 2002
- Belle couleur rubis violacée, le nez esr très charmeur,
avec des arômes de cassis, de cerise noire, odeur
d'estragon et vanille. En bouche, le fruit est très
présent, cerice, alcool de prune, vanille et chêne. Très
belle acidité, tannins soyeux et élégants, vin bien
équilibré, finale très longue. ****(*)
….Daniel Dumais, Montreal, Quebec, February 2002
translated version:
Beautiful, purple, ruby colour, the nose is very charming
and seductive, with aromas of black currant, black cherry,
and scents of vanilla and tarragon. In the mouth the fruit
is very noticeable, with cherry, plum brandy, vanilla and
oak overtones. Very good acidity, silky and elegant
tannins; a well-balanced wine with a very long finish.
- Aromas full, rich, ripe character; licorice, sweet
plum, sweet oak, spicy Flavors ripe fruit characters -
plum, black stone fruits; rich, thick and fleshy - soft,
resolved tannins excellent body and finish Very cool wine
- a winner. Unique and distinct in character. I like the
PS with the Cab in the same way and for the same reason I
like Malbec with Cab. Unfortunately Malbec is not in our
repertoire. …..Kate, Eric and Michael Weiss,
winemakers, Groth Vineyards, March 2002
- I had your wine last weekend with three other people.
I thought it was great. The wine had plenty of stuffing.
What impressed me was the beautiful tannins, very fine,
dissolving, but persistent and served the fruit nicely.
Overall I thought it is a great vintage for you.
…..Scott Mcleod, winemaker, Niebaum Coppola Winery, March
2002
- "Another outstanding effort from Bacio Divino, this
distinctive blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28%
Sangiovese, and 10% Petit Sirah may be Napa's finest
interpretation of a proprietary red wine from Italy's
Tuscan coastline. A dense ruby/purple color accompanies
sweet notes of black fruit, charcoal, licorice, new saddle
leather, and dried herbs. This rich, mulitlayered, medium
to full-bodied red possesses a lush, hedonistic mouthfeel,
complex aromatics, and a fabulous finish. This is the real
deal! Enjoy it over the next 6 - 8 years." rated 92,
outstanding. Issue 142, 8/31/02, Robert Parker's, The Wine
Advocate
- Wine Spectator Weekly
Bacio Divino
Napa Valley 1999
92 points / $80 / 1,600 cases made
Smooth-textured, with pretty currant, cedar, coffee and
blackberry flavors.
Complex and concentrated, without being too heavy.
Cabernet, with
Sangiovese and Petit Sirah. Best from 2003 through 2010. -
J.L.
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2001 Bacio Divino Press
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, December 2003
issue: Bacio Divino. 2001 Napa ($90) Red Rated 93+,
Outstanding. The flagship offering, and one of the
most interesting blends from northern California, is
the proprietary Red Wine. Composed of 64% Cabernet
Sauvignon, 22% Sangiovese, and 14% Petit Syrah, it is
a structured, closed, but dense, promising, rich,
deep, and full-bodied effort. Aromas of black fruits,
loamy soil, incense, minerals, pepper, and cedar are
present in this impeccably balanced offering. With
good underlying acidity and ripe tannin, this
knock-out red should handsomely repay cellaring. Give
it 1-3 more years of bottle age, and drink it over the
following 10-12.
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