A remarkable story about a man pursuing his American dream, Lou Kapcsándy came to the U.S. from his native Hungary in 1956, pursuing a successful career in chemical engineering and manufacturing in the Bay Area and Seattle. Over time he began sourcing some of the great French wines and was able to know some of the icons of the Washington State wine industry. Following a visit to Chat4au Leoville-Las Cases, Lou came to fall in love with the Napa Valley for producing Bordeaux varietals and he discovered a 20-acre parcel in Yountville, its vineyard ripped out after the pest Phylloxera had destroyed it the year before. In May 2000, they closed escrow on the historic Beringer Estate State Lane vineyard that had been the home base of that company’s Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon program. I have long admired these wines from the 1990s, as the terroir from this site is truly incredible.
The Kapcsándys then replanted their vineyard to 15 specific blocks, primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Within three days of harvest 2005, construction on a state-of-the-art winery was complete. Waling the rows with Lou several years back he talked about his passion for Cabernet Franc and Merlot, rather than Cabernet Sauvignon. I have found the Kapcsandy Cabernet Franc and Merlot to be some of the finest in North America. The lineup is one that shows restraint but also precision and power. These are wines that will cellar well for decades. I was completely blown away with the 2017 Kapcsandy ‘Rapszodia’ Cabernet Franc (WWB, 97) which is the best Cabernet Franc bottling I have tried over the past year. The elegance and sense of place is second to none. Just as good was the sensational 2017 Kapcsandy ‘Grand Vin’ Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 97) which is dense, massive and nowhere near ready. The wine is a head-turning wine that is highly nuanced and will be ready to consume after about four to six years in the bottle. Learn more about this famed Napa valley estate at https://www.kapcsandywines.com Here are the gorgeous new rele4ases by Kapcsandy.
2017 Kapcsandy ‘Estate Cuvee’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The ‘Estate Cuvee’ is largely Cabernet Sauvignon based with a touch of Merlot added, as the wine was aged in primarily new French oak barrels, with some Hungarian and second use oak prior to bottling. Right away the combination of red and dark fruits captivate the senses aromatically, as anise and creme de cassis, tar an shades of wild blackberry pie all come into play on the nose. The palate has exquisite balance with a great sense of weight but also a seamless effect mid-palate. Layers of dark fruits are woven together with shades of milk chooclate, sweet pipe tobacco, leather and creme de cassis on the palate. The combination of length, weight and acidity is seriously profound. A true heavyhitter, the 2017 ‘Estate Cuvee’ is remarkable in its youth and will provide drinking enjoyment for many years to come. Drink 2021-2040- 95
2017 Kapcsandy ‘Rapszodia’ Caberent Franc- ‘Rhapszodia’ is Hungarian for a great musical composition as this magical Cabernet Franc wine is truly a masterpiece in a bottle. The 2017 ‘Rapszodia’ shows incredible aromatics of red bell pepper, cassis, anise, dark cherry compote and shades of damp earth that all take shape in the glass. The palate is remarkably elegant with its silky texture as the wine effortlessly glides across the mid-palate. Layers of red and dark fruits with a light dusting of of cocoa powder, anise and black currant jelly all marvelously combine on the palate. The combination of acidity and gorgeous weight really make this sing. Get ready for the exceedingly long finish that drives home like a 50 yard field goal. If enjoying in its youth, be sure to give this at least a two hour decant. Drink 2022-2045- 97
2017 Kapcscandy ‘Roberta’s Reserve’ Merlot- I am comp[etely blown away with the 2017 ‘Roberta’s Reserve’ Merlot. Sourced from the famed ‘State Lane Vineyard’ the 2017 ‘Roberta’s Reserve’ Merlot is a scintillating new release by Kapcsandy. Weighing in at near 15% alcohol, the Merlot was aged in 70% new French oak and 30% second-fill French oak before bottling. The nose shows serious range from red bell pepper to shades of red cherry with sandalwood and dark currants that all meld in the glass. The silky mouthfeel provides an incredible feel of elegance to the wine. Milk chocolate covered cherry with cigar box, anise and suggestions of graphite all come together seamlessly on the palate. The length of the wine truly excites, as this glorious new Merlot will have an exceedingly long life ahead of it. Try to resist this glorious new release for at least a few more years. Drink 2022-2045- 97
2017 Kapcsandy ‘Grand Vin’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 ‘Grand Vin’ Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the great wines that I have sampled over the past year. Sultry, elegant and showing incredible poise, the 2017 ‘Grand Vin’ gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon has layers of dark currants and tobacco leaf with shades of clove and mocha, with tar and Asian spice accents the all knee in the glass. The palate is not only rich and decadent but has a seamless effect that is very hard to describe on paper. Rich and layered, while possessing a vibrant core of acidity, the wine unveils ripe dark currant and graphite tones that mingle with sandalwood, black currant cordial, Turkisich coffee and shades of creosote that all come together marvelously on the palate. Wait for the exceedingly long finish. Everything is magically put together right now as the stunning 2017 ‘Grand Vin’ will enjoy an exceedingly long life ahead of it. Drink 2023-2050- 97