Larkmead Vineyards Larkmead Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 750ml

This Cabernet Sauvignon is lifted by the addition of aromatic Cabernet Franc, creating a red wine of depth, concentration and persistence. The intensity of flavors still offers restraint and smart structural balance. Both red and black fruits intermingle with sage, licorice, coffee grounds and a hint of caramel. Impressive persistence.

Aromas of blackberries, dark plums, bark and baking spices on the nose, followed by a medium to full body with fine tannins. Well-built and balanced, with a delicious core of berries and wild herbs on a velvety texture. Focused and flavorful finish. Drink or hold.

Red currant, cherry and raspberry coulis notes weave together, along with singed cedar and sandalwood, sanguine and savory accents. Lingering echoes of warm humus and red tea add perfume to the finish. Elegant in style. Drink now through 2036. 2,368 cases made.

Aromas of hot stone, leather, sliced plums and dried herbs. Full-bodied with silky tannins. Bright acidity helps to bring definition to the well-ripened red and black fruit. Steady, lingering finish. Savory, but remains fresh. Drink now.

Moving to the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, its deeper ruby hue is followed by classic Larkmead notes of savory red and black fruits, camphor, loamy earth, and dried tobacco-like nuances. It's textbook Calistoga with its savoriness and minerality, and it s medium-bodied, with an elegant, focused mouthfeel and outstanding length. It has plenty of charm today (if you don't mind some tannins) and I suspect will evolve for 10-15 years.

Pushes a warm loamy note to the fore, along with steeped black currant and blackberry paste flavors, while bittersweet cocoa, worn leather and savory accents fill in through the finish. Shows a grippy back end, so give this a couple of years to fully open up. Best from 2024 through 2035. 2,418 cases made.

The only wine produced by this great estate in the vintage, the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon reveals a deep ruby/plum hue to go with terrific aromatics of ripe black fruits, graphite, iron, and background spicy wood. With tons of minerality on the palate as well as medium to full-bodied richness, it has ripe tannins, plenty of mid-palate depth, and outstanding length. It’s a terrific wine in the vintage that should have 15-20 years of overall longevity.