2010 Janzen, Cabernet Sauvignon, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, Napa Valley.
The Jansen by Bacio Divino Cellars, made by Claus Janzen with his son Kyle along with winemaker Kirk Venge is a label of single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, with this Beckstoffer To Kalon being to flagship. In case you haven’t heard of Beckstoffer or the famous To Kalon, this is one of Napa Valley’s most prized and heritage sites for Cabernet Sauvignon, part of Oakville and just south of Rutherford. Claus Janzen has been a long time client of Andy Beckstoffer and the grapes have always gone into the Bacio Divino blend, a Napa Super Tuscan wine, and Claus has made a single vineyard Cabernet from here since 2004, these are world class grapes, and the wines are simply fantastic. I think the 2010 might be the best yet from this small winery, especially the To Kalon, it reminds me of La Mission Haut Brion, Pontet Canet, Ridge Monte Bello, Shafer Hillside and strangely the 1994 Bryant! This is a wine of incredible class and detail, but still pure Napa Valley with concentration, terroir profile and depth. This beautiful Cabernet is not the over-blown Port like overripe wine that some producers have pursued in style, this wine has more a timeless character, and while cliche, it does show a bit more Bordeaux like restraint and poise, there is a real mineral streak and a certain chalkiness that comes from To Kalon along with deep black fruits, and the subtle French oak is already completely integrated into this glorious wine. The 2010 Janzen Beckstoffer To Kalon starts with hints of lilac, acacia and dusty coco powder along with creme de cassis leading to a dark mouth filling palate of black currant, blackberry and plum fruit with hints of smoke, stones, sweet tobacco leaf, black licorice, briar and spicy cedar. This wine has big structure and firm tannins, but remains remarkably balanced and refined for such a young wine. While a unbelievably drinkable Cabernet even now, this wine has even more potential and rewards to come, this is a sublime effort one of the best 2010 Napa Cabernets I’ve tasted to date, drink 2018-2030.
($165 Est.) 95 Points, grapelive
