Winemaker Notes:
Alcohol 14.7%
100% Estate grown fruit produced and bottled at Larkmead Vineyards
96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc
Aged for 20 months in 57% new French oak barrels from Tonnelleries Darnajou, Demptos & Sylvain
4,450 cases produced

"Deep ruby red-purple color. Intensely aromatic aromas of ripe raspberry and black cherry darkened by cocoa powder and sweet tobacco notes. Initially elegant and a touch reserved, the palate opens with aeration to show spicy licorice and black cherry flavors which precede a rich core of classic Larkmead cassis purity. The wine maintains its central theme of concentration allied to elegance, growing in volume as it sits in the glass. The finish is long and pure combining lively acidity with dense chewy tannins.

Our 2006 Larkmead Estate Cabernet balances the fruit concentration and sweetness of our 2001 with the structure of our 1999 release. The long cool growing season was punctuated by a heat spike in late July which thickened the grape skins adding an extra structural dimension to the wine. Coupled with naturally prominent acidity, this structural combination in turn offers aging potential of at least a decade. For those with good memories this year's style most closely resembles the Napa Cabernets from 1996, a set of wines that have aged beautifully and continue to offer great pleasure.

Fortunately there is abundant fruit richness and vineyard character to absorb the wine's structure making this Estate Cabernet our best ever candidate for in-bottle development. Decanting for an hour in its youth will allow the wine's generous richness to come forth and trademark elegance and aromatic freshness to shine."

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