The 2014 Kapcsándy Roberta's Reserve State Lane is a proprietary blend primarily composed of 97% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. This red wine hails from the esteemed Napa region in California's North Coast. Produced by the Kapcsándy Family Winery, this vintage has garnered significant attention from several renowned wine reviewers.
Jeb Dunnuck of jebdunnuck.com awarded this wine an impressive 96 points, praising it as potentially the best Merlot example in the Valley. He noted its "deep ruby/purple" color and complex flavor profile, which includes "blackberries, dried herbs, earth, and loads of chocolate." Dunnuck added that the wine is "full-bodied" with "silky tannin, incredible purity, and a great, great finish." He also mentioned its aging potential, suggesting it will keep well for 15-20 years.
Vinous also scored the 2014 Roberta's Reserve at 96 points. Their review highlighted the wine's "soft and sensual" nature in this particular vintage, pointing out that it lacks some of the drive characteristic of other Kapcsándy wines. Despite this, Vinous appreciated its approachable style, noting that it could be enjoyed with minimal cellaring. They described it as an "especially laid back, almost translucent wine" and expressed curiosity about its future development.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, another prestigious publication, echoed the high praise with another 96-point rating. They described the wine's color as "deep garnet-purple" and its aroma as a mix of "warm plums, baked blackberries, and blueberry pie," complemented by "spice cake, violets, and licorice." The review emphasized its "rich, opulent, and seductive" mouthfeel, with "mouth-filling black and blue fruit" and "oodles of exotic spices," all framed by "velvety tannins and great freshness," culminating in a long finish.
James Suckling provided the most enthusiastic review, scoring the wine at 98 points. He extolled its aromatic profile, mentioning "violets, roses, incense, and currants." Suckling described the wine as "full-bodied" with "ultra-fine tannins" that are "so polished and integrated they become seamless and incredibly beautiful." He concluded that the wine has a "long and flavorful finish," offering both immediate enjoyment and potential for aging.
Overall, the 2014 Kapcsándy Roberta's Reserve State Lane is a highly acclaimed Merlot-dominant blend that showcases the finesse and complexity of Napa Valley wines. With its rich flavors, balanced structure, and excellent aging potential, it is a standout choice for enthusiasts and collectors alike.