Praise for Janzen Beckstoffer To Kalon
2007
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate Dec 2009 Rating:94-96
Janzen’s other 2007s were still in barrel, but readers should keep an eye out for the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard. Offering abundant aromas of creme de cassis, licorice, and smoked herbs as well as admirable density, opulence, and richness, it has 20 years of drinkability ahead of it.
2006
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate Dec 2009 Rating:93
The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard exhibits a deep ruby/purple color, more apparent tannin than the 2007, lots of cedarwood, smoke, earth, and licorice notes, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and a structured finish. It will benefit from several years of bottle age, and should keep for 15 years.
Wine Spectator June 15, 2009 Rating:92
Very ripe and fleshy, with full-bodied plum and black cherry fruit that's complex and elegant, ending with supple, fine-grain tannins and cedary oak. Best from 2010-2016
Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine April 2009 Rating:94 TWO PUFFS
Classic Napa Valley cassis, cherry and rooty, loamy notes are joined by sweet, hardwood smoke smells in this wine's outgoing yet still developing aromas. Full in palate feel without pushing into heaviness, the wine is inviting and promising at the same time, boasts concentrated cassis, cola and creamy oak flavors of impressive depth. It will certainly live for years to come, and its keen focus on varietal character and its good balance indicate that real complexity will develop with six to ten years in the cellar.
2005
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate Dec 2006 Rating:92
A slightly lighter version of the 2004, the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Janzen To Kalon Vineyard displays meaty black cherry and currant characteristics interwoven with dusty herb and earth notes. Medium-bodied, with an elegant, streamlined style, it should drink well for 10-12 years.
2004
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate Dec 2005 Rating:92-94 Drink 2005-2020
This innovative effort from Claus Janzen is made with the assistance of Nils Venge's winemaker son, Kirk Venge. A new offering is the limited production 2004 Janzen Cabernet Sauvignon from the famed To Kalon Vineyard. It boasts superb creme de cassis notes intermixed with notions of acacia flowers, new oak, and spice. Low in acidity, but ripe, rich, and concentrated, this looks to be an outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon that should drink well young yet age for 10-15 years.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate Dec 2006 Rating:93 Drink 2006-2021
A sleeper selection from Claus Janzen is his 300-case cuvee of 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Janzen To Kalon Vineyard, a beautifully opulent wine displaying the wonderful cedar, spice box, black currant, and earthy personality of an Oakville Cabernet. Flashy, rich, full-bodied, pure, and deep, it should drink well for 10-15 years.
Praise for Janzen Cloudy's Vineyard
2007
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate Dec 2009 Rating:90-93
Almost as strong is the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Cloudy’s Vineyard. Displaying plenty of black and blue fruits along with subtle hints of flowers, licorice, graphite, and spice box, this dense 2007 seems as strong as the To-Kalon.
2006
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate Dec 2008 Rating:90-92+
The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Cloudy’s Vineyard reveals the vintage’s abundant tannin as well as enough concentration and fruit depth to balance out the wine’s structure. This 2006 will undoubtedly be closed for 3-4 years, so the 2005 Cloudy’s Vineyard is a safer bet at this time. However, the 2006 will age well.
2005
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate Dec 2008 Rating:91
Sadly, there are only 100 cases of this cuvee, which tastes like a Napa Version of a Bordeaux Pauillac. Tobacco leaf, cassis, licorice, and spice box aromas are followed by a wine with medium to full-bodied flavors, silky tannins, and significant concentration. Enjoy this beauty over the next 10-15 years.
2004
Somm Selections Summer 2007 Rating: 94 Drink 2010-2020
AROMA 14/15 - bright red cherry, raspberry jam, anise: FLAVOR 15/15 red jam, pretty herb quality, soft oak; STRUCTURE 14/15 lush palate/not unctuous, soft fine tannin; LENGTH 14/15 decent length of red berry, flowers; BALANCE 37/40 harmonious, floats across the palate; TOTAL RATING 94."This is a new offering from Claus Janzen, proprietor of Bacio Divino. Comprised of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a well-made, well-balanced, almost seamless wine. The fruit is from a vineyard on Silverado Trail. Only 600 six packs produced.
Praise for Janzen Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvingon
2007
Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine April 2010 Rating:91 TWO PUFFS
So rich and luscious in its aromas as to suggest far more Merlot in its cepage than actually exists, this outgoing, full-bodied effort comes with an invitingly supple texture at entry and flavors that do not stop. Late-arriving tannins provide a fair bit of grip and also insure that this likeable bottling will have plenty of growth ahead of it with four to five years of quiet cellaring.
2006
Wine Spectator June 15,2009 Rating:90
Complex earth, currant, sage and anise flavors have a chewy, pencil-lead shavings and cheese-rind edge. Full-bodied, tight and Bordeaux-like in its austerity. Firmly tannic. Best from 2010-2017.
2005
Wine Enthusiast May 31, 2008 Rating:92
This comes from Bacio Divino, which has been crafting wines under that label for some years. The consulting winemaker was the veteran Nils Venge. The wine is dry, full- bodied and very ripe, showing classic Napa cassis flavors wrapped into superfine tannins.
