Larkmead Vineyards

  I had been on the Larkmead Allocation list since 2010 and this fall I decided to cancel my allocation due to increasing prices and a need to cut down my wine purchases. I actually mentioned this recently in a thread on the Wine Berserkers forum and received a nice email from Colin, the GM at Larkmead explaining the philosophy and reasons for the rising costs along with a nice offer. So I decided to open a Larkmead 2009 LMV Salon last night and to go over some older notes to help reevaluate my position. I have always thought the wines are a great value for the price range, but after 3 mediocre to poor years of business I was a little put off by the pricing and now I'm thinking maybe I made the decision for the wrong reasons. These wines are still a value, even for the higher priced wines.
http://www.larkmead.com/larkmead_vineyards/

2009 Larkmead Vineyards LMV Salon

 

2 hr decant. Big expressive nose of blackberry, dark cherry, licorice and tobacco. Rich and well built full of everything that I love in California cabernet. Red and black fruits, cedar, floral notes and a long sweet pipe tobacco finish. 93

2008 Larkmead Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Solari

2 hr decant. Expressive nose of blackberry, creme de cassis, camphor and cocoa. Medium plus body of blackberry, black cherry, tobacco leaf and semi sweet chocolate. Long silky finish. 93

 

 

2009 Larkmead Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

 1 Hr decant. Moderate nose of black cherry, blackberry, violet and espresso bean. Medium plus body of blackberry liqueur, mocha, cedar and spice. Medium plus drying finish this wine was pretty tight and would benefit from more air. 91

2009 Larkmead Vineyards Firebelle

 1 hr decant. Expressive nose of black cherry, currants, mocha and sandalwood. Medium body takes on weight as the night goes on. Blackberry, cherry, vanilla bean and some spice notes. Long smooth finish.92

 

2007 Larkmead Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon.

1 hr decant. Expressive nose of creme di cassis, blackberry, cigar box, violets and soy. Medium plus body blackberry liqueur, kirsch, vanilla, and camphor. Long smooth silky finish. 93

 

2006 Larkmead Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

 1 hour decant, consumed over 2 hours. Wonderful nose of black currant with some floral and graphite notes. On the palete the dark fruits are really well balanced with some earth, chocolate and subtle spice notes. Really well balanced, with nice lift and well integrated tannins. Drinking very well right now. 92

2007 Larkmead Vineyards Firebelle

 1 Hr decant. Very expressive nose of dark cherry, currant, herbs and vanilla. Great mouth feel with ripe dark fruits surrounded by chocolate and caramel with a hint of green pepper adding complexity. Really long finish. looking forward to watching this progress over time. 93

 

2008 Larkmead Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

 Pop and pour. Big nose of sweet dark fruits with a hint of spice. The palete is dominated by blackberry, cassis and a suprising amount of pepper, with some vanilla and a slight herbal note in the background. really drinking well with moderate tannins and silky texture. 92

 

 2006 Larkmead Vineyards Firebelle

 1 hr decant. Expressive nose of chocolate covered cherries, tobacco leaf and herbs. Medium plus body with blackberry, black cherry, tobacco, and some bell pepper. Long chocolate covered fruit finish, with moderate tannins. 92

2008 Larkmead Vineyards LMV Salon

2 hr decant expressive nose of black cherry cassis earth and sandalwood. Medium plus body of fresh blackberry, cherry, cedar, spices and a long mocha finish. Integrated tannins 93

 

2008 Larkmead Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc

 P&P. Good nose of citrus fruit, lemon grass and pineapples. Creamy start with meyer lemon, pineapples and herbs. With a more acidic lemon lime finish. 90

 

2007 Larkmead Vineyards LMV Salon

 1 hr decant. Expressive nose of blackberries, cherry, cedar and herbs. Blackberries, currants, espresso and vanilla bean on the palate. Long tannic finish. 92

 

2008 Larkmead Vineyards Firebelle

 Really big nose of sweet dark fruits and spice. I hr decant and drinking very well for a young wine loads of black and blue fruits with some vanilla and mocha finishing off with a nice earthy streak at the end. 93