2007 Kapcsandy, Estate Cuvee, State Lane Vineyard, Yountville, Napa Valley.
This vineyard, planted and started by Helen Turley and her husband for Lou Kapcsandy has become one of the so called First Growths of California and is up there with Harlan and Screaming Eagle as one of the top wineries in the State. The wine meets every expectation and is wonderfully textured and amazingly deep. This Cabernet blend is the third tier wine in their lineup after the Grand Vin and Roberta’s, but it is as good in this vintage as anything you might find in Napa bar none. The color is darkly purple and garnet and the palate has layers of richness with cassis, currant, blackberry, plum and cherry fruit, while lovely cedar, tobacco leaf, licorice and smoky wood add complexities to this fine and Bordeaux like wine. While very Californian, this wine really does have that Left Blank style of Pauillac or Margaux, and I think it shows balanced tannins and it doesn’t get too heavy, keeping it pure and lively. Denis Malbec, formerly of Chateau Latour is making the wines at Kapcsandy and he has brought a light touch and helped put the label to the top echelon and the latest releases look to even be better.
($150-200 Est.) 95 Points, grapelive
