2006 vintage                                           
                                                                     

As our vineyard transitions its energies from shoot growth and grape cluster-sizing to verasion (the glorious process when the grape-berries begin changing color from dark-green pea and spotted-violet to full black-purple), reflections…….

At Kapcsandy Family Winery, our guiding principle has and will always be "selection." As we near the final stages in the development of our ranch, selection has afforded us many key opportunities to better care for our soils, vines and terroir. As custodians of this vineyard on State Lane in Yountville (made famous by Beringer Estates), every decision we make, during the growing season and throughout fermentation and barrel-aging, is rooted deep in the criteria of “selection”.

The determination of our final blends is a clear example of our "selection principle". As we continue to be doggedly determined to maximize the quality of our wines, the often painful decisions we must make in the vineyard lay the foundation for the wine that eventually makes it to your table.

Over 50% of what could be our maximum volume production in grape tonnage was purposely dropped on the ground throughout August and September, in order to concentrate flavors and protect the vines from the stress they would inevitably face attempting to feed and mature 6.5 tons/acre. By the time any harvested grapes saw the inside of a fermentation tank, another 10% was removed in the field, prior to picking, and still another 12% was discarded by18 lovely ladies who hand-sort the individual berries on our 24+ ft. final sorting table. The resulting 2006 wines were produced from a net of only 2.7 tons/acre  which is equal 36.6 hectoliters/hectare.

Each year the winemaking team faces the task of evaluating and optimizing several parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc from a variety of vine-clones, and the fermentation results that follow, with the ultimate goal of producing the finest, most faithful expressions that will eventually receive our stamp-of-approval, the Kapcsandy Family Winery label proudly carrying our family crest.

We are proud and excited to offer the first release from our 2006 vintage ~ the Kapcsandy Family Estate Cuvée (a blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc). The wine exhibits finesse, powerful, ripe tannins as well as sweet red and black fruits, hints of dried herbs, tobacco, and spice. It will provide immediate pleasure upon release, but also be cellar-worthy for 10-12 years. Shipments will begin in October 2008, weather permitting.

Offers on our 2006 Roberta’s Reserve and Cabernet Sauvignon will follow in early 2009 with shipments scheduled for spring 2009, weather permitting.

Please review more detailed wine description in “Our Wines” and wine critics ratings in “What’s New?”

Respectfully,

Louis Kapcsandy, Jr.

Robert Parker

WineAdvocate

Issue #174

December 2007

2006 Barrel Sample 

2006 Estate Cuvee State Lane Vineyard (650 cases) is a blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 48% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. It is an exceptionally elegant, pretty wine that does not have the power and depth of the 2005. However, it exhibits beautiful finesse, and a style reminiscent of a clone from a second or third growth Bordeaux. Velvety tannin as well as sweet red currant, black currant, cedar, menthol, and spice box characteristics are found in this beauty. It will be drinkable upon release, and should keep for 12-15 years….. 91-93 points

2006 Roberta’s Reserve State Lane Vineyard is a blend of 94% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. There are only 250 cases of this cuvee, which exhibits chocolate, espresso roast, licorice, roasted herb, black currant, mocha, and wild mountain berry fruit notes. Vibrant acidity, medium to full body, and good freshness are surprising for a Napa-based wine, but the winemaking team is undoubtedly seeking freshness and vibrancy. This 2006 should drink well for 12-15 years…… 92-94 points

There are 560 cases of the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon State Lane Vineyard, a combination of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc. Its intense fragrance of charcoal, black currants, pain grille, and espresso is followed by a deep, full-bodied, ripe, fleshy wine with considerable finesse and elegance in the finish. This beauty should drink superbly for two decades or more. It appears to be the strongest of these three 2006s, a vintage that produced somewhat atypical light, more Bordeaux-styled, higher acid wines than the 2005s at Kapcsandy...92-94 points 

2006 Rose
"If you are a buyer of the Kapcsandy wines, don’t miss their fabulous 2006 Rose. They made 275 cases, which are being sold only at the winery. It is one of the finest roses I have tasted over the last several years." - (56% Cabernet Sauvignon – 40 % Merlot – 4% Cabernet Franc)