Happy Mother’s Day! Opened this bottle after dinner and wanted the full expression of this Mountain Fruit! I believe that Napa Valley AVA of Spring Mountain and St Helena is the best region in not only California but rivals Bordeaux in every way. I opened this 2011 Barnett Rattlesnake Hill Cabernet Sauvignon and aeration and with a Dispensor directly into a glass. I let it stand for several minutes and swirled to open up. The noise was still fruit forward but had many hints of burnt cedar planks, Ripe Cherry, and a little “funk” of some musty wet stone and gravel notes. On the first taste, the smooth lushness and brilliant tannins are like drinking silk. The lingering notes of blueberries and wet stone predominate and what can only be described as a truly great example of Cabernet Sauvignon! Enjoy for those that have....seek for those that don’t!
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I have been a Larkmead collector for 15 years. I ended my allocation in 2017. The wines were getting priced higher than other Napa wineries that I also enjoy so it came down to just exploring other wineries. However, their customer service is impressive and I always hold Larkmead in high esteem. With that being said, of course I always prefer the Solari edition when it’s available but the Firebelle series of blend is always very enjoyable across many palates. So, I opened this wine paired with a perfectly cooked Filet and opened the wine with aerator not decanted and let the wine sit in glass for 30min. The wine is slightly brick color showing some age and slightly cloudy. The nose is still very floral and represents red fruit, cassis, coffee, aged tobacco, and slightly mushroom and earthy forest floor notes. On the palate, the tannins are firm, the acid is medium plus, and the structure is amazing. The softness on the mouth is pleasing. In the mid palate, notes of espresso and nuts, like Brazil nuts with a slight tartness are evident. The finish is nice and long and leaves a remnant of dark chocolate and licorice. My antipciation is that this wine could be stored a little longer but is drinking well now and in my opinion would probably not improve substantially. I would say drink now and for those that like more tertiary notes maybe go another 5 years max.
Opened and decanted. First note is intense Chocolate, dark Fruit and alcohol. After one hour, wine opened and it’s a little long but structure and balance is preserved. When paired with food, wine falls a little flat. Best if drank by itself with a loved one on a winter night with a fire.
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2011 Barnett Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Rattlesnake Hill
5/9/2021 - Maryannw2 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Happy Mother’s Day! Opened this bottle after dinner and wanted the full expression of this Mountain Fruit! I believe that Napa Valley AVA of Spring Mountain and St Helena is the best region in not only California but rivals Bordeaux in every way. I opened this 2011 Barnett Rattlesnake Hill Cabernet Sauvignon and aeration and with a Dispensor directly into a glass. I let it stand for several minutes and swirled to open up. The noise was still fruit forward but had many hints of burnt cedar planks, Ripe Cherry, and a little “funk” of some musty wet stone and gravel notes. On the first taste, the smooth lushness and brilliant tannins are like drinking silk. The lingering notes of blueberries and wet stone predominate and what can only be described as a truly great example of Cabernet Sauvignon! Enjoy for those that have....seek for those that don’t!
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2013 Larkmead Vineyards Firebelle
5/2/2021 - Maryannw2 Likes this wine: 90 Points
I have been a Larkmead collector for 15 years. I ended my allocation in 2017. The wines were getting priced higher than other Napa wineries that I also enjoy so it came down to just exploring other wineries. However, their customer service is impressive and I always hold Larkmead in high esteem. With that being said, of course I always prefer the Solari edition when it’s available but the Firebelle series of blend is always very enjoyable across many palates. So, I opened this wine paired with a perfectly cooked Filet and opened the wine with aerator not decanted and let the wine sit in glass for 30min. The wine is slightly brick color showing some age and slightly cloudy. The nose is still very floral and represents red fruit, cassis, coffee, aged tobacco, and slightly mushroom and earthy forest floor notes. On the palate, the tannins are firm, the acid is medium plus, and the structure is amazing. The softness on the mouth is pleasing. In the mid palate, notes of espresso and nuts, like Brazil nuts with a slight tartness are evident. The finish is nice and long and leaves a remnant of dark chocolate and licorice. My antipciation is that this wine could be stored a little longer but is drinking well now and in my opinion would probably not improve substantially. I would say drink now and for those that like more tertiary notes maybe go another 5 years max.
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2005 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon Cave Collection
6/28/2019 - Maryannw2 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Opened and decanted. First note is intense Chocolate, dark Fruit and alcohol. After one hour, wine opened and it’s a little long but structure and balance is preserved. When paired with food, wine falls a little flat. Best if drank by itself with a loved one on a winter night with a fire.
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