Inky garnet in color, this wine smells of bright black cherry and cassis mixed with wet earth and forest floor and just a hint of green herbs. In the mouth, gorgeously bright cassis and black cherry fruit are wrapped in a tightly coiled spring of taut, muscular tannins that have a smooth, velvety texture. Fantastic acidity and real depth, this is a wine that will blossom over time, and despite being delicious now, should wait 2-3 years before being consumed.

Kapcsandy Winery

The State Lane Vineyard was made famous by Beringer Estate as one of the original components of their Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon program. In 1976 they signed a 30-year lease and planted a 16-acre vineyard with Roy Raymond (later of Raymond Cellars). In 1999 Phylloxera destroyed the vineyard and it had to be ripped out. In 2000 their family purchased the property. Upon taking ownership of the vineyard, they conducted extensive soil and microclimate tests, discovering in the process how extraordinary the vineyard site is. In 2002, the entire vineyard was replanted to 5 blocks of Merlot, 7 blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon and 1 block each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, utilizing specific rootstocks and varietal clones to optimize the terroir. All of their wines are Estate Grown & Bottled and all carry the vineyard designation of State Lane Vineyard. Their first commercial vintage (2004) was produced by Helen Turley. For the 2005 and 2006 vintages, Helen's protege Rob Lawson (Napa Wine Company), was hired, along with Denis Malbec, from Chateau Latour, Pauillac, to oversee winemaking duties. As of 2007 Denis Malbec became their sole winemaking consultant. Denis along with Lou Sr. and Louis Jr., by virtue of extensive blending trials and redevelopment of the vineyard, are the driving forces behind Kapcsandy Family's rise to prominence in the world of fine wines. (kapcsandywines.com)