Grand Vin State Lane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Popped and poured on July 4th after enjoying the day’s frivolities; enjoyed over the following few days and consistent throughout. The 2011 pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart and ripe dark fruits: plums, brambles, cassis, espresso, mushrooms, leather, purple flowers, toe jam, earth and Christmas fruit cake. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose though the fruit comes across much fresher on the palate. The finish is medium+. The texture is soft and super silky. Despite 2011 being a challenging vintage from a Napa perspective, this was quite distinctive and complex, though maybe lacking a bit of stuffing. Stylistically however, this Kapcsándy is a refreshing take on a modern Napa Valley, Cabernet-based blend at a svelte 13.9% ABV. Bravo! Drink now through 2031.

Stunning. Brooding and complex. Utterly smooth and rounded. There's so much that is appealing here. Endlessly complex. I hope to try this again in a few years.

A blend of 56% Merlot, 36% Cab Sauv, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Cab Franc, dark Ruby with aromas of berry fruit, sweet herb and earthy spice. On the palate flavors of cherry, ripe blackberry and currants with notes of cacao and sweet herbs. Long finish, soft ripe tannins ending with earthy mineral. Drink now & over next few years.

Bright full ruby. Very dark nose combines black fruits, violet, graphite and river rock, plus subtle hints of molasses, tobacco and leather; less relentlessly primary than more recent vintages, but then 2010 widely produced explosive, complex, soil-driven aromas. This wine, too, shows a slightly liqueur-like quality yet seems less evolved than the Roberta's. Stunningly silky yet penetrating too, with its dark fruit, mineral and floral flavors conveying terrific vinosity and cut. A firm tannic spine gives this savory wine terrific grip on the palate-staining back end. A distinctly European style in the context of Napa Valley, with its outstanding flavor complexity aided by alcohol below 14%. (100% new French oak). (Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, May 2020)

The 2012 Grand Vin from Kapcsàndy is an absolutely fascinating wine, which is composed of 99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Merlot. This fabulous wine instantly impresses as it bursts open to a seductive nose, with captivating aromas of sweet ripe black currants, blueberries, violets, graphite and hints of sweet spices all taking shape. This goes on to impress with its full-bodied richness and gorgeous plush, utterly seamless texture that gracefully envelops the palate. It displays wonderful overall balance, concentration and depth with enough structure to support the layers of ripe dark fruits that expand all the way through the beautiful long finish. The 2012 Grand Vin has it all and is clearly one of the finest wines from this vintage. While this is certainly nothing short of marvelous today, it also possesses the characteristics that will allow this to age marvelously for decades.

The 2009 Grand Vin from Kapcsándy is utterly fascinating and one of the finest wines from the vintage. Composed of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, 1%Cabernet Franc this instantly beings to impress with is upfront and profound personality, offering seductive aromas of ripe blackberries and blueberries woven together with graphite, crushed violets, sweet spices all explode from the glass. On the palate this is full-bodied and voluptuous with beautifully polished tannins and wonderful overall structure. This continues to impress as displays incredible concentration and balance with gorgeous finesse leading up to the stunning finish. There is so much to love with the 2009 Grand Vin, it is an absolute delight today and should continue to age marvelously for decades to come.

The 2015 Kapcsandy ‘Grand Vin’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a stunning wine by this storied estate. This wine was aged in 88% new French oak prior to bottling and utilizes a touch of Hungarian oak. The nose imparts creme de cassis, wild blackberry and chocolate aromas. The mouthfeel is simply marvelous and coats the mid-palate. Wild blackberry pie, huckleberry compote, black tea and anise flavors all beautifully combine in the glass. The bright acidity and salinity of the wine impresses as well. A stunner, this beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon will have an exceedingly long life in the cellar. Drink 2019-2040- 97

"If you can't make a great wine in this vintage, you should get another job," Lou Kapcsándy told me in the Spring of 2013, when I first tasted this wine with Kapcsándy, his son Louis, and the late Denis Malbec. It was a fascinating tasting because the wines were all still in separate lots, unblended, and we tasted each lot cooper by cooper...one of the most instructive tastings I have ever done anywhere. Today, a few years later, the 2012 Grand Vin is still stellar. 😱❤️😋

Again sorry forgot to take picture so stock photo - was afraid it was flat but was better after sitting in the glass - finish was not what I had hoped

Happy 4th of July! Three American classics from a recent dinner in London. The Kapcsandy was as phenomenal as it has always been. Simply tremendous....