Absolutely riveting, and even better than I predicted last year is the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon - Grand Vin State Lane Vineyard. Made from 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, and the rest tiny dollops of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot (400 cases produced), in two weeks of tastings, this wine stood out as one of those singular efforts that it is impossible to get out of your mind and off of your palate. A flawless, seamless, profound example of Napa Cabernet, it exhibits an opaque purple color along with a gorgeous perfume of lead pencil shavings, cedar, creme de cassis, ink, flowers, and espresso roast. With phenomenal depth, a multidimensional personality, unbelievable length, and an impeccable integration of all its component parts, this stunning wine lasts and lasts, with a finish approaching a full minute. Give this profound wine 3-5 years of cellaring, and drink it over the following 25-30 years. 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

Deep ruby. The nose offers an ineffable candied perfume of crushed dark berries, violet and licorice pastille, espresso and lavender. Then wonderfully precise and pure in the mouth, with outstanding inner-mouth aromatic character to the flavors of black and purple berries, lead pencil and flowers. I suspect this wine is in the process of shutting down in the bottle, and it may well need a decade or more to show its great inherent quality. Finishes with palate-saturating length and building but thoroughly ripe and fine-grained tannins. These 2007s have delivered splendidly on the outstanding potential they displayed from barrel a year ago.