The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon - Grand Vin State Lane Vineyard is a 650-case blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc. A candidate for “wine of the vintage,” it boasts an extraordinary perfume of lead pencil shavings, plums, licorice, black currants, and white chocolate as well as a firm, Bordeaux-like structure, good purity, and incredibly sweet fruit. It will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age, and last for 20-25 years. Those consumers who complain about high alcohol in California Cabernets should realize that this offering possesses less than 14% alcohol. This is a superb line-up of wines from Lou Kapcsandy, who emigrated from Hungary to set up a construction business in Seattle, which he gave up for his true love - making wines along with his wife, Bobbi, and son, Louis. They were fortunate to be able to purchase Beringer’s State Lane Vineyard in Yountville, and have it completely replanted by Helen Turley and John Wetlaufer. They then brought in Bordelais Denis Malbec to help produce the wines, which have gone from strength to strength. The 2006s are magnificent, but may be eclipsed by the 2007s.Tel. (707) 948-3100; Fax (707) 948-3106

Good full, deep ruby. Deep, brooding aromas of dark fruits, licorice, violet, bitter chocolate and minerals. At once denser and tighter than the Estate Cuvee, showing a rather muscular, claret-like minerality today but also a stronger fruit component. Finishes with terrific spine for aging. Lay this one down. With the 2007 vintage, the label will say Grand Vin. Incidentally, the winery maximized the quality of its 2006s by selling off more than 500 cases' worth of wine through a private label.