Larkmead Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2018

When you are looking for truly age worthy, classically styled Napa Valley cab, look no further than the Napa icon, Larkmead. These wines are so harmonious, lush, yet precise, finely tuned, and structured. This legendary property has been making great wines for years, but MAN! This ‘18 is truly fantastic!

At the center of Larkmead’s genius is the remarkable diversity of soils (and the fact that they own an incredible swath of vineyards that are ideally situated). Centuries of alluvial flow have resulted in the accumulation of ancient riverbed gravel, clay, and loam. Located just north of St. Helena, the winery first began in 1895, and is still family-owned today by Cam and Kate Solari Baker. Then there’s Dan Petroski (Google him!) -- a master winemaker and one of the coolest, mellowest, wine-loving guys we know, who makes incredibly fine wines from the vineyard, along with his own label, Massican.

We just fell for this wine on first whiff with sandalwood, sage, cassis, spice and everything nice. The real magic is once it hits your lips, there is cool currant and pencil shavings, with almost mountain grown structure and tannic power that hints at the long evolution that this wine surely has in front of it. We have a particularly compelling price on this...while supplies last!

PAIRING IDEAS: For us? A Charter Oak (in St. Helena) burger. Smashburger (2 patties), thin, crispy, salty, with real American cheese and a bit of roasted pepper. So hedonistic. Gotta love a simple burger with a big young Napa Cab!

MUSIC SUGGESTIONS: “Santa Monica” by Everclear. Yeah, it’s old, but you can’t help to rock out and scream along with it!