Larkmead Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

$64.99 -- 94 points Robert Parker

Purchase Larkmead Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

The 4,400-case cuvee of 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (96% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot and Cabernet Franc) is brilliant. It would probably be hard to find a Cabernet Sauvignon of this quality with this production level, all estate fruit, and such impeccable viticulture and winemaking. This wine reminded me of a great vintage of Pontet Canet in Pauillac, Bordeaux. The deep creme de cassis flavors intermixed with charcoal and lead pencil shavings soar from the glass. Its full body, stunning ripeness, sweet tannin, and substantial flavor authority make for a brilliant Cabernet Sauvignon to drink over the next two decades.

This is one of the reference point as well as historic vineyards of Napa Valley, yet remarkably, Larkmead is not as well known as the quality of these wines or the stature of this vineyard merits. With 145 acres in vines and a vineyard established in the late 1800s by the Solari family, it has been run for multiple decades by Kate Solari Baker and her husband Cam. Perhaps the fact that the vineyard and winery have an actual road named after them (Larkmead Lane) says it all. Andy Smith, who has done such a brilliant job at DuMOL and a few other places, is the consulting winemaker, and he seems to be going from strength to strength with these wines. As much as I loved what Larkmead did in 2004 and 2005, their 2006s are among the vintage’s most compelling, Larkmead is a sensational producer, and the prices seem incredibly fair for wines of such quality. The seamlessness of the tannins, the purity of the fruit, and the undeniable concentration suggest these wines will be absolute crowd pleasers when released, but are easily capable of lasting 20-30 years for the top cuvees.

Purchase Larkmead Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Vintage: 2006

Region: Napa Valley

Rating: 94 Wine Advocate

Lifespan: drink thru 2020

Grape: 96% Cabernet Sauvignon

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