Producer | Larkmead |
Country | USA |
Region | California |
Subregion | Napa Valley |
Varietal | Bordeaux Blend |
Vintage | 2014 |
Sku | 1703227 |
Size | 750ml |
One of the parents of Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc has historically played a supporting role in our LMV Salon. Cabernet Franc is a noble variety that has an uneven (qualitative and stylistic) history in Napa Valley. At Larkmead Cabernet Franc in heavier richer soils and look forward to the stylistic variances seen with a new planting of Cabernet Franc on Cortina soils. The goal is to allow this wine to differentiate itself by including a higher percentage of Cabernet Franc (up to 70%). Larkmead's goal is to elevate the variety’s complimentary characteristics (spice herb) to Cabernet Sauvignon and produce a wine that exalts the complexity of the Estate. "
Even more prodigious is the 2014 LMV Salon. Composed of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Cabernet Franc from the sandy Bale Loam soils of the 110 acres Larkmead possesses it is a bigger boy at 14.9% alcohol but shows lots of crushed rock and wet gravel minerality a beautiful cedary blackcurrant nose with notes of forest floor allspice and soy with more blackberry on the palate as well as some savory herbs and spice. Hints of licorice also make an appearance in this broad fleshy juicy and succulent style of wine meant for drinking now and over the next 20 years.
Full ruby-red. Wonderfully complex nose melds red fruits and dried herbs with the floral Cabernet Franc element adding aromatic lift. Concentrated and sharply delineated with its very pure red fruit spice and floral flavors displaying a restrained sweetness. Really lovely depth of flavor here. Finishes with firm spreading tannins that avoid coming off as dry. This wine is the highest in total polyphenols of all of the LMV Salon vintages but does not come across as overly tannic. Very impressive! Winemaker Petroski added that 2014 and 2013 yielded wines with "the biggest tannins" noting that the '14s "may have more energy." (15.3% alcohol) (Drink between 2024-2037)
vStrong oak is the dominant aroma flavor and texture overshadowing the rich blackberry plum currant and anise flavors for now. Ends long pure and chewy. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2018 through 2028. 804 cases made.
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