O Produtor, tasting note published in September 9th 2016
Petit Verdot, even in the small amounts present in this wine, exudes its signature textural density and floral nose of purple and blue flowers that complement the macerated red and blue fruits of the Cabernet so well. Cassis, graphite and crushed stone follow on the palate, with a vibrant cherry cola undertone playing on the finish.
The fruit for this wine was picked from predominantly young vines, and its youthful energy resonates on the palate. It's medium weight, with a juicy, smooth core of blackberries, which is lifted by notes of red liquorice and spice. There is an expansiveness to the finish, as the tannins coat the palate. The tannins themselves are very dusty, like a powdery cherry-flavoured talc.
The Larkmead Sauvignon was aged for 19 months in oak barrels.
Allergens information
Contains sulphites.
SKU: 105904
Larkmead Vineyards
Larkmead Vineyards, based in Calistoga, is one of the oldest family-owned estates in the Napa Valley. Founded in 1895 by Lillie Hitchcock Coit and prior to Prohibition, it was considered one of the four great Napa Valley wineries, along with Inglenook, Beringer and Beaulieu.
The flagship of the Larkmead wine portfolio is The Lark, a Cabernet Sauvignon varietal released on an allocated basis. First produced as a barrel selection of the best Cabernet Sauvignon blends, it has evolved into a selection of Cabernet Sauvignon from older vines at least 17 years old. Before release, it is aged in French oak barrels for 21 months. Other notable wines in the collection include the 125th Anniversary Cuveé, a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with small portions of Petit Verdot released to celebrate Larkmead’s 125 years of vintages. Lillie is the only white wine, an age-worthy Sauvignon Blanc varietal, that spends ten months aging in barrels, both foudre and hogshead. Overall, white wine makes up less than 10 per cent of Larkmead’s portfolio. Unusual in the Napa Valley, Larkmead also produces a small amount of the Italian grape variety Tocai Friulano from vines planted before Prohibition.
The estate vineyard covers 61 hectares (150 acres) in the Napa Valley. This is divided into three blocks based on the estate’s diverse terroir. Block A is situated on deep, sandy soils and is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon. Block B is predominantly Merlot with some Sauvignon Blanc, and Block C is planted with a blend of other varieties. All of Larkmead’s wines are made entirely from fruit from estate vines, and the company also sells fruit to several other prestigious wine producers in Napa.
Address
1100 Larkmead Lane, Calistoga, CA 94515
USA (California)
+1 707 942 0167
+1 707 942 6934
