Let’s Go Crazy!

I'll never forget my first encounter with Bacio Divino's hedonistic red blend called "Pazzo" when I was a wine director in Las Vegas 20 years ago. Proudly poured next to fancy Cabernets, Pazzo was a staple BTG at the best steakhouses, favored for its bold, rich, yet approachable and polished style. And in the years since, Pazzo continues to walk the line between serious and fun, a true Cab alternative that features prominently at steakhouses.

Indeed, the newly released 2022 Bacio Divino "Pazzo" ("call me crazy" in Italian) is an increasingly rare, well-made version of its ilk.While The Prisoner, Leviathan and Machete have been snapped up by corporate wineries, "scaled" to fill the shelves of Safeway, rendering them mere shadows of the wines that made them such hits, Pazzo is aligned with what those wines "used to be" when they were made by rock star winemakers in small batches from brilliantly sourced fruit.

Pazzo is foremost a "serious" wine made by the masterful Kirk Venge since the inagural vintage. The sourcing for Pazzo is now primarily from Alexander Valley and Dry Creek in Sonoma while still includes juice from some of the best sites in Napa, including Beckstoffer To-Kalon and Missouri Hopper (aka "crazy"!). Anchored by Cabernet and Merlot with a sprinkling of Cal and Ital varieties, it is very much a California wine with a subtle nod towards Italy with its approachability.

The 2022 Bacio Divino Pazzo is deep in color with a dark purple center. On the nose is a healthy pop of new oak, vanilla and spice along with a heady floral note. The palate is lush and rich with plenty of black fruit and cassis along with mocha and a touch of pepper and leather. It’s unabashedly a modern new world wine and it’s a bit of a more serious glass than it once was. 

Just like it did 20 years ago, Pazzo can swap out for a Napa Cab lover who wants something a touch more approachable in style. To offer so much wine at such a value, you can see why they call it "Pazzo," especially at this price.