Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2008 Estate Cuvee State Lane Vineyard (68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot) is spectacular. In fact, I rated it the same as I did the 2007. A dense ruby/purple hue is followed by a gorgeous bouquet of espresso roast, chocolate, blackberries and black fruits. Full-bodied with extraordinary elegance as well as tremendous texture, intensity and length, this singular wine should drink well for two decades. For those who complain that California wines are too alcoholic, every one of the Kapcsandy wines is under 14.6% alcohol.
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Wine Enthusiast
Very fine, rich and dramatic, a wine that feels important all the way through. Dry and vital in concentrated blackberry and currant flavors, with a rich appliqué of smoky oak, it announces its terroir with authority. But it’s extraordinarily tannic, and needs lots of time. Try after 2015.
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James Suckling
Black currants, blueberries and stones on the nose. Full bodied with chewy tannins and a blackberry, chocolate, and mineral character. Give this two or three years. Pull the cork in 2013. 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petite Verdot. 825 cases.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
One of Napa Valley's most historic sub-appellations, Yountville spreads through some of the valley's ideal cooler sites and enjoys success with a handful of different and significant grape varieties.
Syrah competes strongly with Cabernet Sauvignon here for optimal vineyard real estate followed by Pinot noir, Pinot blanc and Sauvignon blanc.
This sub-AVA of Napa Valley is rich in the history that makes Napa Valley what it is today, and not just for red wines. Moët & Chandon entered the California winemaking business via Yountville in 1973 with the establishment Domaine Chandon. Their goal has always been to produce top quality méthode champenoise sparkling wines.
Christian Moueix, originally responsible for managing Chateau Petrus and La Fleur-Petrus in Pomerol, arrived in Yountville in the early 1980s. He formed a partnership with Rohin Lail and Marcia Smith, inheritors of Napanook vineyard from their father John Daniel of Inglenook in Rutherford. In 1995 Moueix became sole owner of Napanook and chose the name Dominus, which today produces some of Napa’s highest scoring, age-worthy Bordeaux Blends.