Kapcsándy Roberta's Reserve State Lane Vineyard Merlot Napa Valley 2021

Kapcsándy Family Winery's first commercial vintage was in 2004. If there is such a thing as perfection, their wines have summited many times over, and today have become the pinnacle for stately, world-class, age-worthy red wines from the Napa Valley.  Year after year, critics have been bestowing high 90s and 100-point scores on these wines, of which they are rightfully deserving.

Founder and owner Lou Kapcsándy was born in Budapest, Hungary, where he played professional soccer. He left his homeland in 1956 and eventually came to the USA, working in various and diverse businesses before co-founding Grand Cru Imports, a company focused on importing fine wines from Bordeaux, Hungary, and Spain into the U.S. Lou had long been interested in fine wine leading up to this moment, taking his first trip to Napa Valley in 1962, followed by many trips after that, where he remembers knowing "all 14 winemakers in the valley" back then. Upon retirement, Lou decided to expand and follow his passion and, with some luck, found a jewel-box property on State Lane in Yountville (formerly a cattle farm that ceased operations in 1975.) Today, his son Louis Jr. manages the winery operations with winemaker Anthony Arcudi, formerly Heidi Barrett's assistant winemaker, meticulously crafting the spectacular wines from this coveted property.

100% Merlot in 100% new French Oak for 20 months: "The 2021 Roberta's Reserve is smoking good and shines for its incredible purity and finesse while bringing beautiful intensity. Ripe black cherries, darker chocolate, graphite, and hints of flowers all define the bouquet, and it's medium to full-bodied, with ultra-fine tannins and flawless balance. You could drink this even today, yet it's going to gain even more complexity and nuance with 4-6 years of bottle age and will shine for at least two decades." Jeb Dunnuck