Wine reviews
The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon To-Kalon Vineyard appears to be an equally strong offering. Slightly more powerful and structured with plenty of black fruit, smoke, burning ember, cedar, and crème de cassis notes, it will benefit from several years of bottle age, and should keep for two decades. Pazzo remains the perfect bistro wine from proprietor Claus Janzen’s blend of Sangiovese and a few other grapes. Claus Janzen has been branching out into single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons, of which there are three – one from the Janzen estate vineyard, one from Cloudy’s Vineyard, and one from the renowned To-Kalon Vineyard owned jointly by Andy Beckstoffer and the new owners of Robert Mondavi.
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. Interesting wines are produced by longtime winemaker, Claus Janzen.