From a vintage loved by the estate (they consider 2015 more California in style and 2014 more Bordeaux-like), the 2014 Estate Cuvee State Lane Vineyard is another beautiful wine from Kapcsandy. A blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 9% Petit Verdot brought up in 80% new French oak, it offers an elegant, seamless style as well as classic Cabernet note of blackcurrants, spice-box, dried earth-like minerality and background oak. With full-bodied richness, ultra-fine tannin, no hard edges and a beautiful sweetness to its fruit, enjoy this beauty anytime over the coming 20 years.

The 2014s were also harvested early at Kapcsándy, largely finished before the end of September, much like 2015. The one difference is that 2015 was a tiny crop, with significantly less production than 2014, which was generous as well as early. The 2014 Estate Cuvée State Lane Vineyard is a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 9% Petit Verdot aged in 80% new French oak. It is soft, round, juicy, front-end loaded, sexy and lush. The wine’s gentle tannins and overall plush, forward style with chocolate and blackcurrants in abundance, as well as a touch of oak, make for a sensual wine to drink over the next 15 or more years. To give an example of how big 2014 was compared to 2015, there are 450 cases of this cuvée made in 2015 and 730 in 2014. - RP