The 2017 Kapcsandy Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin State Lane Vineyard is a distinguished wine from the Kapcsandy Family Winery in Napa, California. This vintage marks a notable shift, as it is composed entirely of Cabernet Sauvignon, diverging from previous blends. The wine is aged in French oak barrels, with 90% being new, and has an alcohol content of 13.7%.
Jeb Dunnuck awarded this wine a remarkable score of 98, likening it to a Bordeaux, such as Latour, due to its density and regal style. Dunnuck described the wine as having "blackcurrant, graphite, crushed rock, and lead pencil shaving aromas and flavors," and praised its full-bodied, supple, and seamless palate. He noted the wine’s "polished, elegant style," flawless balance, and exceptional finish, predicting it will age gracefully for 30-40 years.
Antonio Galloni of Vinous gave the wine a score of 95, emphasizing its potential for future development. He observed that the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin is "one of the more reticent wines in this range" and will require time to soften its tannic structure. Galloni highlighted aromatic notes of "cedar, leather, and spice," and commended its "rich, brooding and quite powerful" nature. He suggested that patience would allow this wine to reach its full potential.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also reviewed the wine favorably, awarding it a score of 96. The publication’s critic, LPB, highlighted the wine’s deep garnet-purple color and its complex bouquet, which unfurls to reveal "chocolate-covered cherries, wild blueberries, and crème de cassis" along with "pencil lead, bouquet garni, tree bark, and crushed rocks plus a waft of iron ore." LPB described the palate as "full-bodied, rich and concentrated yet with fantastic tension," and noted the wine’s firm backbone of grainy tannins that support a long, mineral-tinged finish. Only 500 cases were produced.
In summary, the 2017 Kapcsandy Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin State Lane Vineyard is a highly acclaimed wine noted for its complexity, potential for aging, and distinct shift to a pure Cabernet Sauvignon composition. It has received excellent reviews for its balance, depth, and aromatic richness.