2018 Kapcsandy 'Roberta's Reserve - State Lane Vineyard' Yountville
Merlot dominated with just a kiss (2%) of Cabernet Franc, this is a prime example of Kapcsándy’s commitment to flawless wine – we only wish there were more than 175 cases of it to go around! This is as close as it gets to Chateau Petrus in California, a Merlot of such tremendous power and long-aging potential with incredible richness and elegance. Hide it for five years and enjoy it for two decades, just don’t miss the evolution of this creamy, expansive Merlot that Antonio Galloni calls, “In a word: Superb.”
Lou Kapcsándy has seen it all in his 80 years. He was a freedom fighter in the Hungarian revolution of 1956, a refugee from the Soviets, served proudly in the US Army, and had a highly successful career as a chemical engineer before starting his own Bordeaux import company with his son Louis Jr. in 1999. Lou first came to the Napa Valley in the early 1960s, so when in 2000 Yountville’s State Lane Vineyard—the core of so many great Beringer Private Reserve wines—became available, he pounced. He replanted the vineyard to tighter spacing, hired the late Denis Malbec of Château Latour as a consultant, and one of the great wines of the Napa Valley was born.
Vinous
The 2018 Roberta's Reserve is another magnificent wine from the Kapcsándy family. Beautifully ripe and deep, the Roberta's balances richness with elegance in a stunning style. Black cherry, chocolate, new leather, licorice, spice and menthol, build as this creamy, expansive Merlot opens over time. The 2018 is all class. In a word: superb.
96+WA
Wine Advocate
A blend of 98% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Roberta's Reserve State Lane Vineyard was aged in French oak, 75% new. Deep garnet-purple in color, it comes bounding out of the glass with energetic notes of crushed red and black plums, boysenberries and Morello cherries plus hints of blueberry pie, camphor, dark chocolate, star anise and bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a solid foundation of ripe, rounded tannins and bold freshness supporting the generous, crunchy black and red fruit, finishing long and lifted. 175 cases were made.