Larkmead Vineyards
Firebelle Napa Valley Merlot Blend
Napa Valley, California, USA
The nose reveals; brambly, blackberries, dark cherries, stewed strawberries, blueberries, hints of slightly cooked rhubarb, mix of black plum & plum, creamed raspberries, vanilla, touch of cinnamon, clove and even less nutmeg, dark spice, underbrush, soft leather, fresh tobacco, limestone minerals, dry herbs-bay leaf, mid, mixed, berry cola, crushed, dry rock, steeped fruit tea, cherry kirsch, slight liqueur notes, candied; violets, fresh dark & red florals with hints of lavender.
The body is full, still youthful and lush. The palate & tannins are rounded but, teethe, tarry & a touch austere. The tension, structure, length and balance are very nice but, still have 7–10 years good drinking ahead. Brambly, blackberries, dark cherries, stewed strawberries, blueberries, hints of slightly cooked rhubarb, mix of black plum & plum, creamed raspberries, vanilla, touch of cinnamon stick, clove and even less nutmeg, dark spice, black licorice, underbrush, old, soft leather, fresh tobacco, limestone minerals, dry herbs-bay leaf, mid, mixed, berry cola, tarry notes, crushed, dry rock, dry top soil, steeped fruit tea, cherry kirsch, slight liqueur notes, candied; violets, fresh dark & red florals with hints of lavender.
One flaw, the first glass showed a little to much alcohol heat but, dissipated after. 14.5 ABV...seemed more like 15.5.
Photos of; our visit to Larkmead’s tasting room, the back courtyard and two aspects of their tasting patio.
The nose reveals; brambly, blackberries, dark cherries, stewed strawberries, blueberries, hints of slightly cooked rhubarb, mix of black plum & plum, creamed raspberries, vanilla, touch of cinnamon, clove and even less nutmeg, dark spice, underbrush, soft leather, fresh tobacco, limestone minerals, dry herbs-bay leaf, mid, mixed, berry cola, crushed, dry rock, steeped fruit tea, cherry kirsch, slight liqueur notes, candied; violets, fresh dark & red florals with hints of lavender.
The body is full, still youthful and lush. The palate & tannins are rounded but, teethe, tarry & a touch austere. The tension, structure, length and balance are very nice but, still have 7–10 years good drinking ahead. Brambly, blackberries, dark cherries, stewed strawberries, blueberries, hints of slightly cooked rhubarb, mix of black plum & plum, creamed raspberries, vanilla, touch of cinnamon stick, clove and even less nutmeg, dark spice, black licorice, underbrush, old, soft leather, fresh tobacco, limestone minerals, dry herbs-bay leaf, mid, mixed, berry cola, tarry notes, crushed, dry rock, dry top soil, steeped fruit tea, cherry kirsch, slight liqueur notes, candied; violets, fresh dark & red florals with hints of lavender.
One flaw, the first glass showed a little to much alcohol heat but, dissipated after. 14.5 ABV...seemed more like 15.5.
Photos of; our visit to Larkmead’s tasting room, the back courtyard and two aspects of their tasting patio.
Smooth, shrouded and intense. The nose was dark and rich, showing blueberry, cherry liquor, cola, tobacco and mint. On the palate I found velvety textures with dark red and blue fruit, bakers chocolate and licorice. It finished shorter than expected, but with a fresh fruit quality with lingering nots of cherry pit and spice.
Smooth, shrouded and intense. The nose was dark and rich, showing blueberry, cherry liquor, cola, tobacco and mint. On the palate I found velvety textures with dark red and blue fruit, bakers chocolate and licorice. It finished shorter than expected, but with a fresh fruit quality with lingering nots of cherry pit and spice.
Jul 19th, 2015
Great wine, but why are the newer vintages less accessable and with less fruit than ‘07 & ‘08
Great wine, but why are the newer vintages less accessable and with less fruit than ‘07 & ‘08
Dec 27th, 2019
Well balanced no food necessary but at Rusteak need to eat.
Well balanced no food necessary but at Rusteak need to eat.
Feb 17th, 2018
Will be drinking this tonight snuck a glass in before Santa got mad. That does it for my larkmead stock :(
Will be drinking this tonight snuck a glass in before Santa got mad. That does it for my larkmead stock :(
Nov 29th, 2016This is a big wine, that can stand on its own. Took abut an hour to open, its of black fruit, smooth tannins, toffee, toasted oak, this wine is still growing up
This is a big wine, that can stand on its own. Took abut an hour to open, its of black fruit, smooth tannins, toffee, toasted oak, this wine is still growing up
Oct 18th, 2016
