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Larkmead Cabernet Sauvignon Solari Napa Valley 2018  - First Bottle

Reviews

97 Decanter -
The flagship single-vineyard wine from Dan Petroski at Larkmead is remarkable in 2018. Comprised of two parcels at the southern border of Calistoga, bordering St. Helena. Soils are a combination of Cortina gravel and Pleasanton clay. A major level up in every dimension from the already fantastic Napa Valley Cabernet, the nose is enthralling: savoury and floral, ripe but restrained, smoldering and spry. The texture is seamless, multidimensional, bubt has a rustic authentically to it. A truly fantastic wine, and one to be looked to as a benchmark for balance, complexity, age-worthiness and transparency. Drinking Window: 2026 - 2059
97 James Suckling -
Beautiful aromas of currants, blackberries and flowers follow through to a full body with ultra fine tannins that are polished and so long and persistent. Linear and very, very fine, yet structured. Try after 2025, but already very impressive to taste.
97 Wine Enthusiast -
This Cabernet Sauvignon is crunchy, textured and elegant. The palate is driven by grippy tannins, with lifted elements of herbs, crushed rock and violet lingering over ripe flavors of dark cherry and currant. Enjoy from 2028–2038.
96 Jeb Dunnuck -
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Solari is all Cabernet and was brought up in mostly new French oak. A gorgeous wine from this estate, it has incredible notes of blackcurrants, camphor, new leather, and dried tobacco. It takes some air yet gets even more complex, with ample licorice and loamy soil notes developing as it sits in the glass. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has terrific overall balance, lots of underlying structure, and a great, great finish. It's going to need 5-7 years for these tannins to melt away, but this is a beauty.
95 Wine Spectator -
Supersleek in feel, with a very precisely cut swath of cassis, bitter cherry and raspberry coulis notes coursing through, supported with sanguine and iron details and a flash of savory at the end. Restrained, refined and very long. Best from 2022 through 2036. 1,238 cases made.
94+ Robert Parker's Wine Advocate -
Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Solari (Black Label) was aged in French oak, 92% new. It sports a deep garnet-purple color and fragrant notions of boysenberries, black and red cherry preserves and black currant pastilles with hints of garrigue, sautéed herbs and tobacco leaf plus a waft of charcoal. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is elegant and refreshing, features a racy backbone and has finely grained tannins that support the intense red and black fruits, finishing with refreshing herbal lift. 1,238 cases were made.
94 Vinous -
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Solari is laced with the essence of wild cherry, tobacco, licorice and a whole range of earthy, savory notes. Dark and inward, but medium in body, the 2018 is a bit tightly wound today. I would give it a few years to soften. Like all the 2018s at Larkmead, the Solari is a wine of transparency and nuance. Its resonance is more implied than overtly stated.

Technical Details

  • BlendCabernet Sauvignon
  • WinemakerDan Petroski
  • CountryUS
  • RegionCalifornia North Coast
  • AppellationNapa Valley
  • Oak92% new French oak
  • Alcohol13.8%

Larkmead Cabernet Sauvignon Solari Napa Valley 2018

Cabernet Blends  |  US
D97, JS97, WE97, JD96, WS95, WA94+, VN94

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Dan Petroski is *almost* as legendary a winemaker in Napa as Larkmead itself! Founded in 1895, and one of the oldest continually family-owned winery/vineyards, Larkmead is now under the stewardship of proprietors Cam and Kate Solari Baker. Larkmead’s legendary vineyard features a remarkable diversity of soils that are more typical of a hillside than the valley floor.

Read the raft of huge scores below, but please know it's extremely rare to HAVE more than a few bottles to offer! We can still taste this masterpiece -- a savory yet ultra-polished and concentrated wine, with a feeling of “old Napa”, while still conveying brilliant, rich, plush, fruit and exquisite balance. Wow!!! This is as age-worthy as anything being made in Napa today, a wine that will cruise for 30 years with ease.

Kudos to those lucky enough to grab a few!

PAIRING IDEAS: We tried a sous vide steak the other day and were suitably impressed. If you have one, just pop a New York or something in the bag with some garlic, EVOO, a bit of rosemary, thyme, etc. Maybe even a bit of paprika, or even soy sauce. Cook to the temp you like and then take it out, and sear it. Delicious and easy!

MUSIC SUGGESTIONS: Listen to the “How I Built This” podcast about SubPop Records (Spotify link here). Then, put on some old punk!

About the Producer

The historic Larkmead estate is one of the oldest family-owned establishments in Napa Valley. Originally founded in 1895, Larkmead is now under the stewardship of proprietors Cam and Kate Solari Baker. Larkmead’s legendary vineyard features a remarkable diversity of soils that are more typical of a hillside than the valley floor. Centuries of alluvial flow have resulted in the accumulation of ancient riverbed gravel, clay, and loam. Winemaker Dan Petroski captures the nuance and complexity of this site by vinifying small lots according to clonal selection and soil type. The 110 acre vineyard is masterfully tended by vineyard manager Nabor Camerena and viticulturist Kelly Maher.