2014 Kapcsándy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Estate Cuvee 750 ml

From Nasa to Latour—Kapcsandy Pulls Out All the Stops

To some, Kapcsandy Family’s rise to Napa superstardom may have seemed impossibly fast. A closer look at their 15-year rise reveals the secret to their success was nothing short of the usual: the right place at the right time. The family knew that Napa’s best producers control their own vineyards, and waited stealthily for the perfect vineyard site...and then Yountville’s famed State Lane Vineyard—the plot that catapulted the Beringer State Lane Cabernet Sauvignon to stardom—went up for sale. Located in the heart of the valley, in a microclimate perfectly suited to luxury Cabernet Sauvignon, Kapcsandy pounced. Now, you could fill up more than three cases with the number of 96-100 point wines Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate has given them since. Granted, the family did take things up a notch across the 20-acre vineyard, using NASA satellite imagery to replant with laser precision.

Melding Bordeaux-like class and refinement with signature Napa Valley opulence, the 2014 State Lane Vineyard Estate Cuvée perfectly displays the balance and beauty that has earned Kapcsandy so many accolades. Since bursting onto the scene 15 years ago, the Kapcsandy (pronounced “Cup-chon-dy”) success has been staggering. Nor have the Jeb Dunnuck’s and Antonio Galloni’s of the world been shy. Dunnuck awarded today’s 2014 Estate Cuvee 97 points, hailing its “elegant, seamless style” while Galloni added, “I find the energy, tension and vibrancy here absolutely compelling.” Collectors, don’t think twice.

Then there’s the late, great Denis Malbec, who served as winemaking consultant at Kapcsandy until his untimely death in 2016. Malbec quite literally grew up at Château Latour in Pauillac, with a father who was cellar master there, and a grandfather who was a vigneron. Before taking the valley by storm, Malbec also served as cellar master at the chateau. He came to Napa in 2000 and made an immediate impact on the winemaking landscape, working at Charles Krug, Respite Wines, Sodaro Estate, and steering Kapcsandy to incredible success. Malbec has been succeeded at Kapcsandy by Tony Arcudi, a winemaker with his own stellar resume, who fine-tuned his chart-topping style under the legendary Heidi Barrett.

A blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, and 9% Petit Verdot the 2014 Estate Cuvée reflects Malbec’s Bordeaux roots in its seamless elegance, fine delineation, and balance. Brought up in 80% new French oak, the Estate Cuvee offers hints of spice and vanilla to complement rich black currant and plum. Lively acidity offers a lengthy, mouthwatering finish, while ultra-fine grained tannins provide ample backbone, and the stuffing to last 15 years in your cellar.