2016 Larkmead Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

WE98 This stellar, powerhouse wine is perfumed in aromas of pencil, leather and sage that season a core of mineral and crushed rock. The fruit is equally savory in currant and plum, with a dusting of dark chocolate. Enjoy now–2029.
JS94 Dense and fruity with lovely, layered tannins and lots of blueberries, blackberries and hints of dried flowers. Full body, dusty, gritty tannins and a flavorful finish. Chewy, yet will come around with two or three years of bottle age.
JD92-95 Moving to the barrel samples, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is a pretty, elegant wine that lacks the richness of the 2015 yet has perfumed notes of red and black currants, spring flowers, and spice. A blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot that was harvested early in September, it’s going to need short-term cellaring.
Estate Notes: The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon leads with an alluring amount of spice and red fruit that sits atop a black soy note and an earthy and loamy base. The aromas are warm and inviting: a bit of leather and bittersweet chocolate wrap around notes of purple flowers and the flesh of ripe plums, graphite, and tobacco.
Bramble, earth, dried herb, red cherry and blackberries are all interwoven on the palate. There is a succulent amount of red and black fruit painted with a chocolate coating. This is a timeless Cabernet Sauvignon that engages your palate, finishing with a dry, dusty tannin that feels like it is not born in the Napa Valley. The drying tannins leave you desirous of a second sip. Varietal composition: 94% CABERNET SAUVIGNON 6% PETIT VERDOT. Aged 19 MONTHS, 60% NEW French Oak.

Larkmead Vineyards dates back to the late 1800s, is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2020, and has been owned by the SolarI/Baker family since 1948. The historic Larkmead Estate is composed of 150 acres contiguous to the winery with 110 planted to Bordeaux varieties. 

The true character of Larkmead and its unique wines are a direct result of the topography, climate, and the exceptional geology of the soils. Larkmead manages the dramatic variation in soil types In order to maximize fruit and subsequent wine quality, which creates a diversified flavor profile. Larkmead is 100% Estate fruit; it is therefore imperative that the land is treated as an ecosystem with all factors interrelated and focus on long term soil health. 
Larkmead is always seeking environmentally sound, long term solutions that promote the natural expression of their vineyards, resulting in wine that is unique in its purity, texture, and complexity.

Larkmead’s vineyard is bordered by Selby Creek and the Napa River at the conjunction point of two colluvial fans that extend from the Mayacamas and the Vaca mountain ranges. The main difference between this site and others bordering Napa waterways is that most of the finer material has been “washed out” and carried down the valley. The result is that nearly 300 feet of ancient riverbed gravel lies directly beneath the topsoil. This well-draining environment provides the valley floor location of Larkmead with a rare character typically found in hillside vineyards.

The winemaker is Dan Petroski: The San Francisco Chronicle’s 2017 Winemaker of the Year, owns his own brand (Massican) and is part of Band of Vintners (Consortium).