Introduction

Larkmead is one of the oldest estates in Napa, founded in 1895, and one of the very few in California that is a single, contiguous block of vines. It is an unusually special site of 150 acres comprising three distinct soils, and no less than 28 different par-cels, each with its own unique terroir.

Winemaker Dan Petroski produces six cuvées, three white labels from blended par-cels and three more expensive and limited black labels, from single parcels express-ing three unique terroirs. The Autumn release is exclusively black label, which we are delighted to offer today. Alongside the 2014 Solari and Dr Olmo we see the release of 2013 The Lark. It is also the very first time ever that we have been allo-cated a parcel of back vintages from the estate. These have been kept in perfect conditions in the cellars of the property, and all wines are exclusive to Wine Source in the UK.

New Releases

2014 Larkmead Vineyard Dr Olmo @ £810 In Bond per 6 bottles / 3 magnums

2014 Larkmead Vineyard Solari @ £1,080 In Bond per 6 bottles / 3 magnums

2013 Larkmead Vineyard The Lark @ £POA

Back Vintages

2009 Larkmead Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon @ £750 In Bond per 6 bottles

2006 Larkmead Vineyard Solari @ £1,290 In Bond per 6 bottles

2009 Larkmead Vineyard The Lark @ £POA

New Releases

W I N E : 2 0 1 4 D R . O L M O

C L A S S I F I C A T I O N :L A R K M E A D

P R O D U C T I O N : 1 , 4 1 8 C A S E S

VA R I E TA L C O M P O S I T I O N : 1 0 0 % C A B E R N E T S A U V I G N O N

S O I L P R O F I L E : C O R T I N A ( G RAV E L )

A L C O H O L :1 4 . 5 %

F R E N C H O A K A G I N G :2 0 M O N T H S , 6 2 % N E WT O N N E L L E R I E S Y LVA I N

TASTING NOTES

Shy and restrained upon opening, the 2014 Dr. Olmo has a compact core of black licorice, black cherry and forest floor. After an hour in the glass, however, the aromas become more secondary and poetic, displaying hints of candied orange rind and crushed, dried flowers. There is a lack of “juiciness” to the this wine; fruitfulness is not part of its perfume, a characteristic that is echoed in the flavors and the texture of the first sip.

The build of this wine is one of its most alluring parts; while The Lark is sumptuous and round, and Solari is broad and deep, Dr. Olmo’s texture feels almost weightless and ethereal. The wine dances on your palate, lightly coating each corner with its essence of dried rose, bramble, coffee beans and cigar tobacco. This is the most complex and nuanced, if understated, Cabernet in the Fall lineup.

DRINKING WINDOW

The natural style of the Dr. Olmo really responded well to 2014’s vintage characteristics of freshness and energy, but though it appears inviting, the compact nature of its frame and its general agility will only become more graceful over the course of the next 10 years. Should you prefer to consume it upon release, we recommend opening the wine two hours before drinking, or to at least decant it. However, due to the wine’s classic structure, another 5-10 years of cellaring will add to its depth and nuance.

2014 Larkmead Vineyard Dr Olmo @ £810 In Bond per 6 bottles / 3 magnums

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Dr. Olmo is holding back quite a bit of its potential. Dark cherry, smoke, licorice, tar and menthol give the Dr. Olmo much of its brooding personality. The tannins are quite firm, but that should be less of an issue as the wine won’t be released for about a year. -- Antonio Galloni, score: (92-95) drink: 2019 - 2034

New Releases New Releases

2013 Larkmead Vineyard The Lark @ £POA

The 2013 Lark is an utterly magnificent, complete wine that brings together power, density and finesse. Graphite, lavender, crushed rocks, cassis, blueberry jam, and mint all blossom in the glass. Savory overtones add freshness and complexity. The Lark shows the pedigree and stunning beauty that is the signature of this great Napa Valley vintage. -- Antonio Galloni, score: (95-98) drink: 2023 - 2043

W I N E : 2 0 1 4 S O L A R I

C L A S S I F I C A T I O N :L A R K M E A D

P R O D U C T I O N : 7 9 3 C A S E S

VA R I E TA L C O M P O S I T I O N : 1 0 0 % C A B E R N E T S A U V I G N O N

S O I L P R O F I L E : C O R T I N A ( G RAV E L )P L E A S A N T O N L O A M ( C L A Y )

A L C O H O L :1 4 . 9 %

F R E N C H O A K A G I N G :2 0 M O N T H S , 8 1 % N E WT O N N E L L E R I E D E M P T O S

TASTING NOTES

There is uniqueness to Solari that cannot be found anywhere else on the Larkmead estate. The bouquet is almost dense, and builds with each swirl of the glass. From blackberry jam to purple flowers, the aromas swell slowly, drawing you in with their momentum.

In the mouth the wine rumbles across the palate, like the engine of a train transferring its weight with each turn of the wheel. Macerated black cherries and cassis coat the sides of the mouth and as they fade, dried herb, graphite, gravel and cacao emerge, leaving you craving a second sip.

DRINKING WINDOW

Every vintage, Solari is the cream of the Larkmead crop. The vines are fairly young (only 14 years in the 2014 vintage) but produce a wine of purity, balance, and power-- characteristics that presents themselves very early in the wine’s lifecycle. There is a nobility to this wine, and a remarkable ability to both provide pleasure in its youth and stand the test of time. The 2014 Solari will age impeccably for more than two decades. If drinking in its youth, please open and decant for 2-3 hours before serving and enjoy it slowly over the course of the evening.

2014 Larkmead Vineyard Solari @ £1,080 In Bond per 6 bottles / 3 magnums

The 2014 Solari is wonderfully deep, pliant and expressive, but also shows all the restraint of the vintage. Gravel, graphite, menthol, smoke, licorice, herbs and inky blue fruits are front and center. The 2014 possesses striking inner sweetness and fabulous overall balance . Creamy, nuanced and expressive, the 2014 will likely start drinking well with just a few years in bottle. -- Antonio Galloni, score: 95 drink: 2020 - 2034

2009 Larkmead Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon @ £750 In Bond per 6 bottles

Back Vintages Back Vintages

2006 Larkmead Vineyard Solari @ £1,290 In Bond per 6 bottles

Ruby-red. Blackberry, licorice, minerals and chocolate on the nose, plus a whiff of shoe polish. Dense, spicy and nicely delineated, with excellent intensity to the dark cherry and mineral flavors. Firmly structured cabernet with granular tannins and a suggestion of medicinal reserve. This will need at least four or five years of bottle aging. -- Stephen Tanzer, score: 93 (tasted May 2012)

Absolutely brilliant, the 100% Cabernet Sauvignon cuvee, the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Solari Reserve (825 cases) has gorgeous notes of cedar wood, creme de cassis, creosote, and forest floor in its fragrant, full-bodied, velvety textured, opulent style. It must be considered in the running as a candidate for wine of the vintage in Napa. Just sensational stuff, this wine should drink well for at least 20-30+ years. — Robert M. Parker, Jr., score: 96 drink: 2008 - 2038 (tasted Dec 2008)

Back Vintages

2009 Larkmead Vineyard The Lark @ £POA

Just as impressive as it was last year, the 2009 Proprietary Red Wine The Lark is all pencil shavings, graphite, incense and smoke. A deep, beguiling wine, the 2009 stands out for its perfumed aromatics, delineated fruit and phenomenal overall balance. Still powerful and implosive, the 2009 will require patience. It has much less of the early appeal and sheer sexiness of the other 2009s here. -- Antonio Galloni, score: 97 drink: 2019 - 2039 (tasted Dec 2012)