2016 Kapcsandy Family Winery, Roberta's Reserve, Yountville, Bottle (750ml)

JD99 Another wine that flirts with perfection is the 100% Merlot 2016 Roberta's Reserve, which was harvested at the end of September and spent 20 months in 70% new barrels. I finished my note on this wine with "Best Merlot in the New World," and I can't think of another wine that comes close to the layered, balanced, majestic style of this beauty. Offering up a kaleidoscope of black cherries, damp earth, chocolate, cedarwood, and spring flowers, it's full-bodied and rich, yet just glides over the palate with a seamless, elegant, pure style that needs to be tasted to be believed. As with all the Kapcsandy wines, it has the purity and balance to offer pleasure in its youth yet is going to evolve beautifully.

RP98 The deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Roberta's Reserve State Lane Vineyard (100% Merlot) has a totally seductive nose of Indian spices, fruitcake and sandalwood over a core of preserved plums, dried mandarin peel, blackberry pie and blueberry compote with a touch of cedar chest. The palate is medium to full-bodied with gorgeous plush tannins and balancing freshness supporting the boldly spicy black fruit preserves, finishing very long.

AG97+ The 2016 Roberta's Reserve is a powerful, dense wine with serious tannic clout. Beams of supporting tannin give the wine energy and drive. Reticent at first, the Roberta's fleshes out on the mid-palate and finish, where the succulence and intensity of the fruit is most apparent. Super-ripe red cherry, kirsch, pomegranate and dried flowers meld into the resonant, substantial finish. There is so much to the 2016.