
Technical Details
Blend | 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc |
Winemaker | Dan Petroski |
Country | US |
Region | California North Coast |
Appellation | Napa Valley |
Oak | 66% new French oak |
Alcohol | 13.8 |
Larkmead Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2018
Cabernet Blends | US
$99.95 $125.00 - 750mL
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!
Technical Details
Blend | 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc |
Winemaker | Dan Petroski |
Country | US |
Region | California North Coast |
Appellation | Napa Valley |
Oak | 66% new French oak |
Alcohol | 13.8% |
About The Producer
Reviews
Wine Enthusiast
This red is earthy in tones of barnyard, sage and crushed rock, with underlying plush fruit. With 15% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc included, it boasts rich red fruit that broadens and lengthens the midpalate. It shows an enduring succulence on the balanced finish.
Decanter
Very savoury and spice-laden on the nose, showing aromas of cigar box, chicory, sandalwood and redcurrants. The palate is beautifully multidimensional: deep but bright, weighty and forward but with great length and integration. A definitive showing of Calistoga, built for at least two decades in the cellar but will also reward those who want to check in at an earlier stage. Brought up in 66% new French oak.
James Suckling
Pretty aromas of currants, walnuts and fresh tobacco follow through to a full-bodied palate with dusty, chewy tannins and lots of berry, coffee and lightly toasted-oak undertones in the aftertaste. Needs some time to resolve the tannins. Very drinkable now, but better after 2025.
Wine Spectator
A flash of menthol leads off, followed quickly by intense cassis, blackberry preserves and plum reduction flavors. Notes of singed alder and cedar score the finish, with the menthol hint peeking back in for an encore. Distinctive. Best from 2022 through 2036. 1,939 cases made.
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