Remember that celebrity winemaker single-vineyard Pinot by Melka from just a couple of days ago that got gobbled up all day? We just cannot seem to get enough of them. Hold on… here we go again!

Kirk Venge this time. Add a couple of GLOWING 94-point reviews, knock a jaw-dropping 40 something percent off the retail price, and KABOOM, watch it explode…

Bacio Divino Cellars is one sleek family of wines, from the knockout Janzen Cabs to the insanely delicious Pazzo (Call Me Crazy) Super Tuscan clone, to these sultry Lucie Chards, and Pinots, they have it all. And all masterfully crafted by the heir to America’s first 100-point winemaker throne, a chip of the ole ‘Nils’ block, the venerable Kirk Venge. Perfectionism runs in the family. Wow to the wowth power.

This sexpot of a Pinot instantly appeals with its lipstick cherry-red to ruby colors in sheer vibrance. The nose is extroverted with ample red raspberries, blueberry, blood orange, licorice, incense, and a mild yet wild edge of exotic mushrooms and spices. The palate is bright and bold, with more red and black fruits overflowing, with a refreshing lift of liveliness that brings it all together to a seamless balance. Poetically long, with gobs of fruit echoing in tandem with kisses of toast and vanilla. This impeccable, voluminous Pinot begs for barbecued ribs, or pork belly bao buns dripping with hoisin sauce.

It was Robert Parker who first hopped on the Venge bandwagon, so we’ll let him do the final pitch: “The legendary Nils Venge, one of the pioneers of Napa viticulture and winemaking, has been turning out great wines for nearly 50 years. He is right up there with the likes of Mike Grgich, Tim Mondavi, Rick Forman and Dick Arrowood over on the Sonoma side… Kirk Venge, Nils’ son too is doing a killer job, and has been over the last half-dozen or so years.”

Well, that quote is from 5 years ago, today that handover is complete, Kirk sure has the baton. And we must add, it’s not just the winemaker that counts here, but the vineyard, as Bacigalupi is quintessential Russian River Valley, it was after all a contributing source to the winner of the 1976 Judgement of Paris. The legacy of this 4th generation family vineyard carries on with their own label, along with those of Williams Selyem, Gary Ferrell, or Rudd Estate, just to name a few who rely on their fruit for outstanding wines.

There you have it. While it lasts!

94 Points – Jeb Dunnuck

“The 2016 Pinot Noir Lucie Bacigalupi Vineyard is classic Russian River Pinot Noir and has a ripe, sexy perfume of red and black currants, spice box, damp forest floor, and mint. Straight up beautiful on the palate, with a rounded, opulent texture, no hard edges, and medium to full body, it’s a beauty that can be drunk today with ample pleasure, yet it should evolve nicely for at least 4-6 years, although there’s no need to delay gratification.”

94 Points – Wine Enthusiast

“This wine has gorgeous aromatics of lavender and rose as it develops on the palate into puffy lush tannins. With a robust powerful backbone of body and oak, it offers strong flavors of cola, cherry and citrus, all seamlessly interwoven into a tapestry of bold intensity.”