2013 Kapcsàndy State Lane Vineyard Estate Cuvée
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Tasting notes
The pinnacle for Bordeaux varietals in the 38 years that I have been tasting California wines is 2013. There is just an extra gear in all of the wines, great acids, profound concentration and wonderful integrated tannin and massive concentration that should ensure an incredibly long life for all of the top efforts. In many ways it is a more recent version of 2001. The 2013 Estate Cuvée State Lane Vineyard, 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, spent 20 months in oak prior to being bottled unfiltered. They made 750 cases of it and it is a fabulous wine that is not far from being another perfect example. A classic, almost Médoc-like blend offers up notes of forest floor, blackcurrants, tobacco leaf, a touch of barrique, a saturated purple color, and, once past the gorgeous aromatics, a wine of phenomenal intensity, spectacular texture, length and overall balance. Look for it to evolve for 30 or more years.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2013 Estate Cuvée is dark, powerful and intense. Over the last few years the tannins have begun to soften. Black cherry, smoke, licorice and dark spices emerge nicely here. Powerful and brooding in style, the 2013 is showing better today than I would have thought. Creamy, exquisite and vivid in the glass, the Estate Cuvée is the one 2013 here that can be enjoyed now, although it will of course be better with more time in bottle. It is also the most subtle and gracious wine in the range.
The 2013 Estate Cuvée is dark, powerful and explosive, but also super-refined. Floral and spice notes appear first, followed by a host of balsamic-inflected overtones. Beams of tannin and acidity give the wine much of its energy, but the Estate Cuvée is, above all else, a wine of exquisite purity and finesse. I will not be surprised to see the 2013 show even better in another few years. With time in the glass, the 2013 fleshes out a touch, but the best is yet to come. The blend is 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot.
Will be 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 5% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Cask sample. Good dense colour. Very complex nose with real vitality. Cocoa note on the end. Dry and quite tannic. Appetising. Tastes quite dry and maybe could do with slightly more juice? (JR)