2011 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Mocha, espresso, licorice, tobacco, dried herbs and leather are some of the many notes that emerge from the glass in the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, a wine with distinct Old World overtones. Savory herbs, cedar and dried flowers continue to develop in the glass, adding complexity to the fruit. The 2011 is best enjoyed sooner rather than later.

The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) offers up notes of mulberries, licorice, plums and tobacco leaf in its medium-bodied, surprisingly concentrated, well-made personality. There are over 3,000 cases produced, and it is one of the top wines made on the valley floor in 2011. The healthy deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by lots of fruit, soft tannins and low acidity. Consume it over the next 8-10 years. This splendid estate situated in the heart of Napa Valley, just north of St. Helena, has enjoyed a reputation for high quality for well over a century. Tasting with winemaker Andy Smith and Larkmead’s proprietor Cam Baker demonstrated once again just what brilliant wines these can be. All of the top cuvees (Solari, LMV Salon and the Lark) were declassified and not produced in 2011. 2012 appears to be a fabulous vintage for proprietor Cam Baker. Tel. (707) 942-0167

(100% cabernet sauvignon): Medium ruby-red. Aromas of blueberry, mint and pepper. Juicy and intense but on the lean side, showing more perfume than real depth to the lively dark fruit and herb flavors. The tannins here are surprisingly suave for a vintage that involved "a lot of hand-wringing in the vineyard," leading me to believe that this wine will gain with its last months of barrel aging and time spent in bottle.