The 2012 Estate Cuvee State Lane Vineyard, which is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot aged in a combination of mostly new French oak, but some Hungarian oak as well, represents 1,190 cases, or 50% of the production from their estate vineyard. This wine shows beautiful floral notes along with hints of earth, chocolate, espresso, licorice and blackcurrants. It is elegant, medium to full-bodied, with impressive purity, texture and length. The wine shows relatively sweet tannin, but then so do most of the top 2012s. It should drink nicely for 15-20 more years.

Dark cherry, plum, smoke, licorice and melted road tar all take shape in the glass in the 2012 Estate Cuvee. Today, the 2012 is first and foremost a wine of impact. There is plenty of depth and density in the glass, but at the same time there is a wild, raw quality to the 2012 that suggests it needs quite a bit more time in barrel. The 2012 is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot.

(an 80/20 blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot; aged in 100% new oak, 84% French and 16% Hungarian): Dark ruby-red. Crushed blackcurrant, mint, wild herbs and rose petal on the nose and in the mouth. Riper and deeper than the Endre but still with an exciting high pitch that serves to intensify the mid-palate. This wonderfully silky, tactile wine finishes with outstanding length.

Usually the largest production – 50% in 2012. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot. Deeper crimson than the 2011. Great bite, almost Italianate on the nose. Real grip and graphite with masses of structure but again quite marked VA. Different! (JR)