2010 Bacio Divino Janzen Cabernet Sauvignon Cloudy's Vineyard

The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Janzen Cloudy’s Vineyard comes from a tiny 2-acre estate vineyard high on the hillsides in the eastern side of Napa Valley, in an area often referred to as Dutch Henry Canyon. This wine exhibits lots of blueberry, blackberry, licorice and graphite notes, soft tannins and a rich, heady mouthfeel. It appears to be the most precocious and forward of the 2010s. Full-bodied and juicy, it possesses notions of roasted herbs and vanillin in its fruit profile. This elegant, impressive 2010 can be drunk now or cellared for another 10-15 years. This project of Claus Janzen and his son continues to turn out a lot of seductive, rich wines that merit serious attention. If you look at his portfolio, Janzen has five separate entities, including Bacio Davino, Pazzo (his value-based blend of Bordeaux varietals with Sangiovese included), Vagabond (Syrah), Janzen (single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons) and most recently, Lucie (the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir program). Some of the barrel samples I tasted included all the 2011 Cabernets and the Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon under the Bacio Davino label. These all appeared to be successful wines in this difficult vintage. Both the 2011 Beckstoffer cuvees are much lighter than their 2010 counterparts, but the 2011 Cloudy’s Vineyard is nearly as seriously endowed and rich as the 2010. The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve also looked very strong. I’m not sure any of them will merit 90 points or higher, but it’s possible. Once they are in bottle, I’ll comment on them. The three 2012s I tasted with proprietor Claus Jenzen and his son, the Beckstoffer To Kalon, Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper and the Cloudy’s Vineyard, were blockbuster Cabernet Sauvignon fruit bombs with inky purple colors and lots of creme de cassis, spring flower, graphite an oak characteristics. They are big, thick, juicy, succulent, full-bodied reds with tannins that are largely concealed by the lavish amount of fruit, but I think the structure is there and will become increasingly apparent in bottle. Tel. (707) 942-8101