2017 Larkmead Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
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Tasting notes
Starting with the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, it comes all from the estate in the north part of the valley and is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. It has a deep, serious bouquet of scorched earth, graphite, crushed rocks, new saddle leather, and smoked tobacco all ground by a core a ripe dark fruit. With medium to full-bodied richness on the palate, building tannins, and the classic, focused style of the vintage, it's going to benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for two decades.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is a real overachiever in its peer group. Wonderfully layered and vibrant, the 2017 is just magnificent. All the elements come together in a sublime, wonderfully nuanced Cabernet. Larkmead ultimately decided not to bottle their Dr. Olmo Cabernet and instead used that wine (which was fabulous from barrel) to improve this blend - which it most certainly did.
Composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, aged in French oak barrels, 75% new, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon (White Label) sports a deep garnet-purple color, revealing notes of blackcurrant pastilles, Black Forest cake and black raspberries with touches of wild sage, pencil lead and damp soil with a waft of cedar. Medium-bodied, the palate has compelling vivacity and freshness with plenty of juicy black fruit and well-played, grainy tannins, finishing with lovely purity.
Larkmead's 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is pliant, open-knit and wonderfully fleshy. Floral overtones perk up a core of bright red cherry and plum fruit. This is one of the more gracious, refined wines of the vintage. There is so much to look forward to.