2010 Larkmead LMV Salon
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Tasting notes
Bright dark red. A bit darker and more claret-like on the nose than the 2010 Solari, offering aromas of black raspberry, black pepper, graphite, leather and smoky oak along with a subtle herbal element. Densely packed, broad and thick, displaying vibrant peppery lift to its highly concentrated flavors of dark raspberry, cherry and spices. Aeration brought a building floral perfume. A wine of great finesse, featuring broad tannins that dust the front teeth and a slowly building whiplash of a finish. This is actually significantly higher in total polyphenols than the 2010 Solari (due to the Petit Verdot component?) and can't quite match that wine for nobility of tannins, but I'm splitting hairs as this is a spectacular vintage in which Larkmead's distinctive terroir is manifest in its wines. (ST)
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
What a finish on this with great fruit intensity. Full-bodied, firm and velvety. Lots of fruit and tannin tension. It has a fabulous finish. Wonderful elegance.
Super aromas of dark berries, bay leaf, stones and mint, including spearmint. It's full-bodied, with a fabulous texture of polished tannins and a long, long finish. A wine with tension and energy.
The 2010 Proprietary Red LMV Salon (78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc and 9% Petit Verdot) possesses a European-styled structure imposed on its white chocolate, black currant, cedarwood and Christmas fruitcake notes. This classic Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine reveals abundant aromas, rich fruit and a medium to full-bodied, youthful, firmly structured finish. Drink it over the next 15-20 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