2017 Janzen 'Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard' Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Production on this beauty was too limited to keep up with demand, so cancel your plans and call your Scout to ensure this is safely in your hands when it reaches perfection in another half-decade! Red fruit and lovely acidity lend a brightness that only serves to highlight the understated, crushed-rock power in this breathtaking bottle.
Claus Janzen doesn't shy away from taking the road less traveled. He originally made his mark on the local wine scene with the wholly unique "Bacio Divino," arguably Napa's most successful Tuscan-inspired red. When he moved that project into the world of Cabernet, he did so with the philosophy that it would be the vineyards rather than the blend that would drive the program's success. So, like many other notable Cabernet producers, Claus turned to vine guru Andy Beckstoffer for fruit, and the rest as they say, is history. With the help of lauded winemaker Kirk Venge, he has created a range of Napa Cabernets with completely unique personalities, and the critics have taken note. He's even dialed in a sensational Pinot Noir from a serious vineyard down south. Some of our favorite wines year in and year out, you'd be wise to pay attention to this lauded producer.
Wine Advocate
A barrel sample, the very deep purple-black coloUred 2017 Janzen Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is a little closed at this nascent juncture, offering glimpses of warm blackberry and spice cake notions with hints of incense, garrigue and hoisin. Full-bodied, rich and seductive, it has a lovely velvety texture and is packed with expressive fruit just waiting to unfurl, finishing long and multilayered.
JD95Jeb Dunnuck
Plenty of crème de cassis, black raspberries, flowery incense, chocolate, and loads of spice emerge from the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Janzen Beckstoffer To Kolan Vineyard, a plusher, sexier wine compared to the Missouri Hopper. With a super lush, full-bodied, seamless texture and not a hard edge to be found, it's another stunning wine from this estate that makes the most of the vintage. It's actually every bit as good as the 2016.
WE95Wine Enthusiast
Only a tiny amount of this wine was made, 100% varietal from the famous site in the heart of Oakville. Lovely red fruit and ample acidity give it a lift of brightness that persists across a palate of supple power, dusted in crushed rock, dried herb and clove. This will do well over time; enjoy best from 2027–2030.