Bought this recently at the Benchmark Bin Sale for $45. I’m unsure of its storage. But based on the bottle, cork, what’s in the glass…over delivering for $45. Decanted 2 hours. Having said that, the wine is sound. However, the wine appears cloudy…in the glass it visually almost seems a bit broken down. Seems earlier than I’d expect for an 07. Still delicious. Elegance, floral, balanced fruit & earth. Might have been better in proper storage. Think this bottle in good storage would hold another 3-5 yrs and then fade rather quickly.
The ripe, juicy, floral fruits are; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums but more plum, dark cherries, strawberries, boysenberries, raspberries, mixed mid berry cola/licorice, anise, almost sweet, dark, rich soil with dry leaves, dry herbaceousiness-sage, bay leaf, hints of thyme, semi-dry tobacco, sandalwood leaning into cedar, mid intensity dark spice-box, wafting nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, sandstone, steeped tea, touch of raisins, fig & dates, grilled meats, just a touch with of black pepper, dry brush, dry top soil, limestone marl, withering; dark, purple flowers framed in violets with a touch of lavender, excellent acidity with excellent integration & evolution, tall structure, well balanced fruit & earth with a long finish that last minutes falling onto dry, volcanic minerals.
96% Cabernet, 3% Merlot, 1% Cab Franc.
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Part of an odds and ends event for my wine group. All the wines were opened, but not decanted for at least 45 minutes before serving. I keep finding more bottles of this vintage in my cellar! This should be the last of them. Sadly, notes of stewed fruit cost this wine some points. Still very good, and some of my group had it as their favorite, but for me it was 4th in a 4 horse race. The Merlot made it very approachable, but the longer it sat int the glass the more downhill it went.
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I thought I had finished all my 2007 Firebelles, but found this hiding in my cellar. Still drinking very well! I shared this with my wine group as part of a Napa tasting at steakhouse. We had, in order, 2007 Larkmead Firebelle, 2009 Larkmead Vineyards LMV Salon, 2010 Beau Vigne Cabernet Sauvignon Romeo, and the 2012 O'Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder. We all enjoyed the Firebelle, as a group we had it in 3rd place, just a bit behind the O'Shaughnessy and the LMV Salon.
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Drinking very well. Smooth, dark berry, smooth tannins with hint of cocoa. not a big cab feel to this blend. Time to drink. Pairing well with food as it does not over power.
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PnP this wine, then consumed the bottle over 10 hrs or so. No formal TN, but this is my final of 3 bottles of this wine (last tasted 3 years ago). Black cherry and plum fruit, alongside wet soil, espresso grounds, with savory and vegetal notes, adding to the wine's complexity. Chewy and round tannins, with med acidity, giving the wine a full-bodied mouthfeel and a long and black-fruited finish. Delicious now, but will drink well another 5 years or so. Delicious.
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Very aromatic, but showing it's age. Mostly merlot, and this shows as the wine at this age has only some structure. Really nice now but on the way out.
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Ruby Red with garnet shades. This bottle tasted young and fresh. The fruit had dark burly characteristics. There was dark licorice on top of a very clean and very interesting architecture. The tannin structure was apparent, and supportive of the full experience.
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This bottle was popped and poured and was a little dull at first. Gave it 45 minutes in the glass and it open up somewhat. Nice Bordeaux style nose. Medium body with nice dark fruit profile. Some notes of cedar, coffee and dark chocolate. Moderate finish with smooth tannins. This wine improved over the course of 3 hours. Based on this showing i would think this wine will remain at this level for at least 5 more years and will still drink nicely for longer than that. Great wine from the good QPR Larkmead era.
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My last bottle from this vintage, and I enjoyed every one! This was decanted and sat for 45 minutes before pouring. Some soft edges, probably due to the high percentage of Merlot.
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A classy Merlot-based blend that should be drunk now. Light crimson in color, medium in body, nose of tart cherry and cedar. Tastes of chocolate, boysenberry, gravel, and plum, with an open, somewhat sweet finish. (This finish is what makes me think it should be drunk now.) Blend of 62% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 9% Malbec. 14.5% alcohol. I give the edge to the 2009 and 2010, but this is quite good.
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And my final bottle splits the difference between the other 2. Showing very well either at peak or very slightly past with very smooth tannins. Merlot adds some nice dark chocolate notes and softens this a bit. Fruit more balanced with the more earthy notes which I prefer for this wine.
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So delicious, enjoyed this bottle with friends prior to going out to dinner. No formal TN but all enjoyed it and commented to that effect multiple times. Drink this wine now through 2019+.
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62 merlot, 29 CS, 9 Malbec. Solid but not great. Lots of dark fruit, but it's not all well integrated. Expected better. There are better Firebelle vintages out there, like 2008.
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Last bottle in our cellar. Is in a perfect place right now, and so yummy! Larkmead almost always needs to be decanted, even for distant vintages, but this is PNP. Drink and enjoy as a wonderful Napa version of a Right Bank Bourdeax.
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Really, really good. The Merlot in this Right Bank blend sings. Larkmead really benefits from good cellaring. Everything is right and in order. Suggest not waiting on drinking because it's in a perfect place right now. Paired wonderfully with the marinated skirt steak grilled medium. Nice!
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Delicious! After drinking a not so great bottle the night before I found this to hit my palate perfectly. Beautiful nose and fruit with a smooth finish.
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It's amazing what three years in the cellar has done here, the nose was remarkably fresh with sage and mint up front, followed by ripe raspberry, blueberry, hints of graphite, black currant and the slightest touch of dark chocolate. On the palate, silky textures were met by vibrant acidity, pushing mineral-tinged cherry and blueberry notes. It turned slightly tart toward the finish, yet the mouth continued to water throughout. Long with saturating dark fruit and hints of spice on the close. Beautiful and still quite youthful.
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Really showing its merlot side today with its chocolate notes on nose and palate. More fruit dominated than I remember, would have preferred a tiny bit more earthiness but still excellent as always.
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From the good old days, when this used to be reasonably priced as a $50 wine. Is it $80 now? Geez. My wife and I both love this wine - and all of the Larkmead reds, in fact. Rich red and black fruits accented by notes of dark spice, bourbon vanilla, and eucalyptus. Long, mildly tannic finish. To my palate, this is still on the young side, although I remember the '06 turning the corner somewhat abruptly. It'll be interesting to watch this one develop.
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Really quite good. This was the first Firebelle we pulled out of our cellar from the stellar '07 vintage. Deeper side of red, with almost a PS type of opaqueness. Bouquet gave us mint, some cedar, vanilla, and fresh-cut blueberry pie. On taste, nice tannins and acidity, but nothing overpowering. They were there just in the proportion you would want. The Bordeaux varietals were in lovely balance, with that harmonious taste that can make a fine Bordeaux so sought after. Again, really nice! Despite being an '07, the wine benefitted from a pour through a Vinturi, and was even smoother the next day. Not surprising: I don't think I've ever had a Larkmead that didn't benefit from at least some air, no matter what the vintage.
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Dense purple color, almost a magenta hue to it. Fragrant nose, really came alive during the decant. Dark fruits and floral nose. Red and black fruits, coffee grounds, chocolate, black currant, earth. Plush texture on the mid palate, showing the merlot in the blend. Medium tannins. Long finish 30+ seconds. Drinks a little hot, seemed to mellow about an hour in. Will decant for a bit with next bottle.
Will likely mellow and add complexity with time. Drinks well now but has a good arc in its window
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Decanted for 2 hours. Nose black fruit, plums and graphite. Similar on the palate with a bit of pepper - finishes a bit hot. Probably could use some more time - but will the fruit last?
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Decanted 2 hours and rebottled. Consistent with notes from 3/5/2013. Medium plus body with a nice attack of red and black fruits which persists through the mid-palate. Secondary notes of chocolate and coffee and a long finish. Drinking very well with a little air time. Excellent Bordeaux blend.
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This is in a really nice place for my palate. Beautiful floral nose. Notes of black cherries, chocolate and a touch of herbs. Full bodied with sweet tannins. Should continue to age well for several more years.
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Popped and poured. Very bordeaux like nose with dark cherry fruit and a nice floral component. Lovely array of red and black fruits on the initial attack. After a couple of hours of aeration the cab franc starts to become more noticeable giviing the wine a slightly more austere profile although it still remains smooth and elegant. Plenty of secondary notes including roasted cofee and dark chocolate. Long finish with moderate tannins. This is extremely good and promises to improve over time. (93+ pts).
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one of our favorite wines from a tough tasting - merlot provides tons of fruit but the cab franc adds richness and character. very nice wine and drinking perfectly right now.
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Decanted 8 hours prior to tasting. Nice texture, spot on bordeaux flavor profile with noticeable restraint, like an ensemble of dignified actors underplaying their roles. Worthy of more than polite applause, but a little disappointing that each did not put a little more of themselves out there.
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PnP over 2 hours with steak dinner at Tony's. Clear in appearance, dark ruby in color, barely fading to med ruby at the rim. The nose is deep and voluptuous, offering up developing, med intensity aromas of black currant, tar, black cherry, and wet soil. The palate is dry, showing full body and med(+) alcohol. There are med intensity flavors of black cherry and cassis, moist soil, coffee, and some underlying minerality. The med acidity is bolstered by med level tannins that are rounded yet still a bit persistent, allowing this nicely balanced wine to drink beautifully right now. The finish is med(+) in length, echoing dark forts and minerality for 30-45 secs. This is a high quality wine that is in a great drinking window, and should stay there nicely for 10 more years. Paired beautifully with filet and NY Strip tonite. A silky and well balanced wine.
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Slow O'd for 30 minutes. A little disjointed on the pour; vibrant red fruit, seems young. After an hour it came together: a delicious Bordeaux blend. Very approachable with a little time; should only improve over the next few years.
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River of deep merlot that segues briefly to another note -- perhaps chocolate and cassis? --and all the while you realize there is this pronounced sustained dark berry fruit. An imaginative approach to merlot that elevates it and transitions to something better.
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14.5% ABV. Pretty much opaque dark garnet in the glass. Somewhat smoky nose with a bit of mocha and violet. Medium full bodied (full bodied?) with dark berry fruit. Ripe, but with some lingering soft tannins. Rather elegant with good length and complexity. Nice.
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A tale of two wines. The first night this was closed off, no fruit and no finiah. The second night the fruit opened up and this was a very good cab. An 86 night one and 91 on night 2.
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A bit more time in bottle has done wonders for this wine, it has been tamed down just the right amount, it is still big CA fruit but with the great Larkmead complexity - including graphite and herbs. Only quibble is the alcohol is a bit high on the nose, but otherwise this is drinking beautifully!
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Terrific bordeaux blend in a modern style with abundant dark fruits that are restrained and nicely integrated into the tannins. While beautifully structured, this wine needs at least 30 minutes to fully enjoy. Think this wine will only get better with age.
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No formal notes taken, popped with my parents to celebrate baby Cole coming into our lives. This showed very well with the merlot really shining through, very round and balanced.
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Dinner at MH Place, Cooked by Chef Weston (Eugene, Oregon): Well Forgot to actually write down a note, must of been that good, this wine from memory was amazing [like all Larkmeads it seems] Good power/fruit/brightness never feeling goopy or over done
Conc: Cheers!
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Pop and pour - note after 3 hours. This opened up nicely and paired well with a steak. Ripe red and blue fruits on the nose. Soft tannins and some pepper and spice on the finish.
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This is drinking so nicely now. Loads of complexity. Continuously developed and showed more and more new dimensions over the couple of hours we enjoyed it.
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Lived up to what I remembered from the tasting at the winery. Napa meets Bordeaux. Black currant and loam (borrowing that idea from Tanzer I) but that describes it best actually. Nose is currant with slightly herbal notes. Wish I had more than my 1 remaining. Drink or hold.
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Dark color. The nose displays currant, dusty minerality, and some red fruit. It is a little reticent. It becomes a little more complex when it is in the mouth. The oak influence is detectable. The tannins are noticeably smoother and riper than the 2006.
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Very good, although it did not excite me as much as the prior bottle. Complex with dark fruit, wood and mineral. A bit hot towards the end - I probably should have decanted. Still, showing very well with two bottles left.
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Knockout dark cherry nose with vibrant, tasteful fruit and underlying smoke, spice, and minerality. There's a sudden sharp acidity on the mid-palate that adds complexity and power, but more importantly displays aging potential, as fruit forward as it may taste. This wine has shifted strictly to the allocated list, and is noticeably outperforming the 2007 cabernet sauvignon. Looking forward to seeing how this wine evolves over the next five years, but expect it to peak in 2012.
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I love this wine. Beautiful floral nose. Notes of black cherries, chocolate and a touch of herbs. Full bodied with sweet tannins. Very nice and will only get better with time.
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What a nose on this wine tonight with rich, dusty black currant, dry coca, graphite and the slightest hint of bell pepper. This wine pulls you in and makes you swoon. The palate shows black cherries on a full bodied frame with mouth watering acidity. Notes of dark chocolate and licorice make an appearance on the long, robust finish and stays with you for over a minute.
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California Wine Tasting Adventure; 8/2/2010-8/6/2010 (Napa, Sonoma): Tasted at winery. Nice proprietary blend. Dark color. Red fruit on nose, with some mocha and cocoa underneath. Palate had initial red fruit with some darker berries, plum and a hint of tobacco. Smooth fine tannins with nice moderate finish. Tasty wine for what it is. Lacked a bit of concentration and depth.
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Bordeaux-like bouquet of leather and cassis; full mid-palate balanced well by its tannins accented by its acid. Somewhat floral for a 2007 CA cab. I really liked this wine as I have the 2005 every time I've had it. Consumed next to 1998/2000 St. Emilions and it showed very well. I will drink my other 3 from 2012-2017.
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1 Hr decant. Very expressive nose of dark cherry, currant, herbs and vanilla. Great mouth feel with ripe dark fruits surrounded by chocolate and caramel with a hint of green pepper adding complexity. Really long finish. looking forward to watching this progress over time.
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Deep and dark color. Cassis and acetone on the nose. Early fruit is overcome by somewhat harsh tannins that linger. Finish is strong. This wine needs time in the cellar and will shine in several more years. Glad I have a couple more bottles
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Another beautiful effort from Larkmead. Drank right out of the bottle with no decant and it was impressive. Nose was more floral than the cabernet, with a pleasant hazelnut and rich dark cherry mix. Slight alcohol burn on first sip, but mellowed quickly revealing lush dark fruit, with a very slightly minty finish. Full bodied with a ton of fruit. I expect this wine to smooth out and be absolutely beautiful in 2 years, and the LMV Salon (the "upscale" version of the Firebelle blend) should be stunning in 5 - 10.
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14.5% ABV. Dark garnet, opaque in the glass. Sweet smelling with a nuance of vanilla creme brulee in the toasty oak. Rich with mocha, mint, and black fruit. Coming back to it I noticed a touch of cocoa/chocolate. Nice richness and complexity.
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Tasted at Larkmead. Lively acid shows through in this Merlot based prop blend. A nice taste that got less acidic the more you drank it - some people like that kind of thing. Tastes like it needs food to bring it back down a bit - probably wouldnt drink it on its own.
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Total dark fruit and cream explosion on the nose and palate. Raspberry, cassis, vanilla and cream for days. Palate coating mouthfeel and long finish. It's hard to score this wine right now because it is so massive but based on what it has going on, this could be a 94+ pointer with some bottle age, maybe 3-5 years.
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Delicious, with creamy notes on the nose and a great mouthfeel. I think this wine is definitely too young now, even with decanting I felt like it was a bit too early for this one. Should be a knockout in a few years!
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I could tell while decanting that this was a winner. Deep, deep ruby in color lighting slightly at the edges. Nose of understated ripe fruit and floral notes of lavender. Thick and chewy. In the mouth more ripe fruit including cranberries and black cherries. Balanced with more floral notes, some earth and a bit of mineral. Long, smooth and satisfying finish that leaves you wanting another taste. Should cellar well, and I will hold my remaining bottles for a while.
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Drank this over two nights. An amazing nose with cranberries, raspberries, and mint. Maybe some floral aromas too. On the palate, very ripe fruit. Not much green at all in this blend. Amazing mouthfeel, especially considering the youth of this wine. The black fruit was masked a bit by a ton of spice especially on the mid-palate. Longggg finish. The nose is worth the price of admission alone - another good value from an underrated producer. Can't wait to try this again in few years.
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Deep purple color at it's core which fades to dark ruby red at the edges. The aromatics are intense and rich but at the same time fresh with aromas of dusty red fruit, wild berries and a floral nose that swings through violets, mint and lavender. All of this with a hint butterscotch that lingers with each sniff. On the palate you find a mouth coating yet utterly electric collection of flavors. Blueberries and black currants with herbs and earth. Mocca and dark fruits on the long finish. Well Done.
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11/29/2023 - Tarpon222 wrote: 90 Points
Drink up and enjoy NOW
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10/13/2023 - Somm David T wrote: 94 Points
Bought this recently at the Benchmark Bin Sale for $45. I’m unsure of its storage. But based on the bottle, cork, what’s in the glass…over delivering for $45. Decanted 2 hours. Having said that, the wine is sound. However, the wine appears cloudy…in the glass it visually almost seems a bit broken down. Seems earlier than I’d expect for an 07. Still delicious. Elegance, floral, balanced fruit & earth. Might have been better in proper storage. Think this bottle in good storage would hold another 3-5 yrs and then fade rather quickly.
The ripe, juicy, floral fruits are; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums but more plum, dark cherries, strawberries, boysenberries, raspberries, mixed mid berry cola/licorice, anise, almost sweet, dark, rich soil with dry leaves, dry herbaceousiness-sage, bay leaf, hints of thyme, semi-dry tobacco, sandalwood leaning into cedar, mid intensity dark spice-box, wafting nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, sandstone, steeped tea, touch of raisins, fig & dates, grilled meats, just a touch with of black pepper, dry brush, dry top soil, limestone marl, withering; dark, purple flowers framed in violets with a touch of lavender, excellent acidity with excellent integration & evolution, tall structure, well balanced fruit & earth with a long finish that last minutes falling onto dry, volcanic minerals.
96% Cabernet, 3% Merlot, 1% Cab Franc.
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5/27/2023 - SMHalps wrote: 90 Points
Part of an odds and ends event for my wine group. All the wines were opened, but not decanted for at least 45 minutes before serving. I keep finding more bottles of this vintage in my cellar! This should be the last of them. Sadly, notes of stewed fruit cost this wine some points. Still very good, and some of my group had it as their favorite, but for me it was 4th in a 4 horse race. The Merlot made it very approachable, but the longer it sat int the glass the more downhill it went.
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9/18/2022 - SMHalps Likes this wine: 93 Points
I thought I had finished all my 2007 Firebelles, but found this hiding in my cellar. Still drinking very well! I shared this with my wine group as part of a Napa tasting at steakhouse. We had, in order, 2007 Larkmead Firebelle, 2009 Larkmead Vineyards LMV Salon, 2010 Beau Vigne Cabernet Sauvignon Romeo, and the 2012 O'Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder. We all enjoyed the Firebelle, as a group we had it in 3rd place, just a bit behind the O'Shaughnessy and the LMV Salon.
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4/16/2022 - sdahar Likes this wine: 93 Points
Excellent sophisticated tannins and balancing fruit with multiple levels of flavor. As other have written at peak but no rush.
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4/2/2022 - tgkswine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking very well. Smooth, dark berry, smooth tannins with hint of cocoa. not a big cab feel to this blend. Time to drink. Pairing well with food as it does not over power.
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12/25/2021 - lewisrise wrote: 95 Points
Nose of plums, blackberry , and nutmeg. Smooth tannins and gobs of dark fruit and plums with a long finish.
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11/7/2020 - JuliannaDHS Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very good. Loads of pure cherry fruit and dark berry, mocha, plenty of acidity, and a hint of earth. Tannins are well resolved.
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4/25/2020 - srshane Likes this wine: 95 Points
Drinking near perfection now. Good balance. Good fruit. Refined tannins. It does not hava a lot more time. Drink now.
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11/15/2019 - lewisrise Likes this wine: 94 Points
Nose of black cherry and dirt. Raspberry and plumb with a coffee finish. Soft mouthfeel
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6/9/2019 - drrobvino wrote: 93 Points
PnP this wine, then consumed the bottle over 10 hrs or so.
No formal TN, but this is my final of 3 bottles of this wine (last tasted 3 years ago).
Black cherry and plum fruit, alongside wet soil, espresso grounds, with savory and vegetal notes, adding to the wine's complexity.
Chewy and round tannins, with med acidity, giving the wine a full-bodied mouthfeel and a long and black-fruited finish.
Delicious now, but will drink well another 5 years or so. Delicious.
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6/7/2019 - prism wrote: 92 Points
Slow O’d for for 90 minutes. Drinking beautifully now, but should stay at this peak for a couple of years. With grilled pork chops. Drink or hold.
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5/9/2019 - smphelps wrote: 91 Points
Very aromatic, but showing it's age. Mostly merlot, and this shows as the wine at this age has only some structure. Really nice now but on the way out.
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3/13/2019 - soyhead wrote:
delicious cornucopia of red fruit. and big red fruit at that. but also high toned with good lift.
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12/31/2017 - Jim B Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drank with 5 07s. Solari, lark cab, Pride cab, Frank Cab, Firebelle
quite the selection. All great
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12/11/2017 - prism wrote: 92 Points
Slow O’d for an hour. A nice Bordeaux blend, but the oak was a bit too assertive in this bottle.
Day two: everything in balance.
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12/3/2017 - Roentgen Ray Likes this wine: 92 Points
Ruby Red with garnet shades.
This bottle tasted young and fresh.
The fruit had dark burly characteristics.
There was dark licorice on top of a very clean and very interesting architecture.
The tannin structure was apparent, and supportive of the full experience.
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6/10/2017 - redpinot wrote: 88 Points
I wonder if it has passed its prime. From impression, it was better a few years back.
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4/25/2017 - Coachron13 Likes this wine: 90 Points
No change from our prior bottle. It's fine but there's no wow.
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12/25/2016 - Yamadori Likes this wine: 93 Points
This bottle was popped and poured and was a little dull at first. Gave it 45 minutes in the glass and it open up somewhat. Nice Bordeaux style nose. Medium body with nice dark fruit profile. Some notes of cedar, coffee and dark chocolate. Moderate finish with smooth tannins. This wine improved over the course of 3 hours. Based on this showing i would think this wine will remain at this level for at least 5 more years and will still drink nicely for longer than that. Great wine from the good QPR Larkmead era.
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12/23/2016 - SMHalps Likes this wine: 93 Points
My last bottle from this vintage, and I enjoyed every one! This was decanted and sat for 45 minutes before pouring. Some soft edges, probably due to the high percentage of Merlot.
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10/22/2016 - Jarndyce Likes this wine: 94 Points
Drank with Monica and Pan seared skirt steaks with shallot butter - Awesome
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10/4/2016 - MLwine Likes this wine: 91 Points
Surprisingly good, well-balanced, merlot-dominant Bordeaux blend. In a great place right now but still has a few years of life left.
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8/23/2016 - msuwine Likes this wine: 92 Points
A classy Merlot-based blend that should be drunk now. Light crimson in color, medium in body, nose of tart cherry and cedar. Tastes of chocolate, boysenberry, gravel, and plum, with an open, somewhat sweet finish. (This finish is what makes me think it should be drunk now.) Blend of 62% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 9% Malbec. 14.5% alcohol. I give the edge to the 2009 and 2010, but this is quite good.
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8/9/2016 - yeti575rider wrote: 92 Points
And my final bottle splits the difference between the other 2. Showing very well either at peak or very slightly past with very smooth tannins. Merlot adds some nice dark chocolate notes and softens this a bit. Fruit more balanced with the more earthy notes which I prefer for this wine.
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4/2/2016 - drrobvino wrote: 94 Points
So delicious, enjoyed this bottle with friends prior to going out to dinner. No formal TN but all enjoyed it and commented to that effect multiple times. Drink this wine now through 2019+.
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3/26/2016 - prism wrote: 93 Points
Excellent. Much more together than the last bottle; this is singing now. A beautifully structure blend with everything in its proper place.
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2/18/2016 - Coachron13 Likes this wine: 90 Points
62 merlot, 29 CS, 9 Malbec. Solid but not great. Lots of dark fruit, but it's not all well integrated. Expected better. There are better Firebelle vintages out there, like 2008.
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12/29/2015 - trey.johnson3@verizon.net Likes this wine: 92 Points
Delicious. Fruity yet refined. Medium tannins. Looking forward to my next one.
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11/4/2015 - kennyd Likes this wine: 93 Points
Last bottle in our cellar. Is in a perfect place right now, and so yummy! Larkmead almost always needs to be decanted, even for distant vintages, but this is PNP. Drink and enjoy as a wonderful Napa version of a Right Bank Bourdeax.
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9/14/2015 - kennyd Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really, really good. The Merlot in this Right Bank blend sings. Larkmead really benefits from good cellaring. Everything is right and in order. Suggest not waiting on drinking because it's in a perfect place right now. Paired wonderfully with the marinated skirt steak grilled medium. Nice!
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8/6/2015 - kennyd wrote: 92 Points
See 7/20/14 note. Consistent. No rush to drink remaining bottles. Btw a touch better the second day.
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8/6/2015 - brubron Likes this wine:
terrific.
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5/22/2015 - GARDEN Likes this wine: 93 Points
This was the wine served with the main course at our dinner party. It was a great hit.
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5/12/2015 - EMTAME wrote: 92 Points
Not as stellar as my bottle in December but still a solid winner. Drink up.
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5/1/2015 - mccaffery Likes this wine: 97 Points
Delicious! After drinking a not so great bottle the night before I found this to hit my palate perfectly. Beautiful nose and fruit with a smooth finish.
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12/28/2014 - EMTAME wrote: 94 Points
Star of the night at a recent wine dinner. This is at peak and is just fabulous at the moment...approachable but also showing fine depth.
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12/7/2014 - Eric Guido Likes this wine: 93 Points
It's amazing what three years in the cellar has done here, the nose was remarkably fresh with sage and mint up front, followed by ripe raspberry, blueberry, hints of graphite, black currant and the slightest touch of dark chocolate. On the palate, silky textures were met by vibrant acidity, pushing mineral-tinged cherry and blueberry notes. It turned slightly tart toward the finish, yet the mouth continued to water throughout. Long with saturating dark fruit and hints of spice on the close. Beautiful and still quite youthful.
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7/26/2014 - yeti575rider wrote: 91 Points
Really showing its merlot side today with its chocolate notes on nose and palate. More fruit dominated than I remember, would have preferred a tiny bit more earthiness but still excellent as always.
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7/12/2014 - EMTAME wrote: 92 Points
From the good old days, when this used to be reasonably priced as a $50 wine. Is it $80 now? Geez. My wife and I both love this wine - and all of the Larkmead reds, in fact. Rich red and black fruits accented by notes of dark spice, bourbon vanilla, and eucalyptus. Long, mildly tannic finish. To my palate, this is still on the young side, although I remember the '06 turning the corner somewhat abruptly. It'll be interesting to watch this one develop.
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7/2/2014 - kennyd Likes this wine: 92 Points
Really quite good. This was the first Firebelle we pulled out of our cellar from the stellar '07 vintage. Deeper side of red, with almost a PS type of opaqueness. Bouquet gave us mint, some cedar, vanilla, and fresh-cut blueberry pie. On taste, nice tannins and acidity, but nothing overpowering. They were there just in the proportion you would want. The Bordeaux varietals were in lovely balance, with that harmonious taste that can make a fine Bordeaux so sought after. Again, really nice! Despite being an '07, the wine benefitted from a pour through a Vinturi, and was even smoother the next day. Not surprising: I don't think I've ever had a Larkmead that didn't benefit from at least some air, no matter what the vintage.
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4/11/2014 - walkerjfw wrote: 92 Points
At home with burgers, first bottle of this lot.
Dense purple color, almost a magenta hue to it. Fragrant nose, really came alive during the decant. Dark fruits and floral nose. Red and black fruits, coffee grounds, chocolate, black currant, earth. Plush texture on the mid palate, showing the merlot in the blend. Medium tannins. Long finish 30+ seconds. Drinks a little hot, seemed to mellow about an hour in. Will decant for a bit with next bottle.
Will likely mellow and add complexity with time. Drinks well now but has a good arc in its window
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2/9/2014 - Thornhaven wrote: 94 Points
Dense purple color, raspberry, currant, mocha. Ripe tannins silky finish.
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8/11/2013 - cookie7 wrote: 89 Points
Decanted for 2 hours. Nose black fruit, plums and graphite. Similar on the palate with a bit of pepper - finishes a bit hot. Probably could use some more time - but will the fruit last?
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6/18/2013 - Yamadori wrote: 93 Points
Decanted 2 hours and rebottled. Consistent with notes from 3/5/2013. Medium plus body with a nice attack of red and black fruits which persists through the mid-palate. Secondary notes of chocolate and coffee and a long finish. Drinking very well with a little air time. Excellent Bordeaux blend.
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5/1/2013 - wdb001 Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is in a really nice place for my palate. Beautiful floral nose. Notes of black cherries, chocolate and a touch of herbs. Full bodied with sweet tannins. Should continue to age well for several more years.
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4/29/2013 - Silveradoup wrote: 95 Points
Delicious, give this a 3-4 hour decant if you are going to drink now. It brings out way more of the fruit and body of the wine. Great stuff!
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3/5/2013 - Yamadori wrote: 93 Points
Popped and poured. Very bordeaux like nose with dark cherry fruit and a nice floral component. Lovely array of red and black fruits on the initial attack. After a couple of hours of aeration the cab franc starts to become more noticeable giviing the wine a slightly more austere profile although it still remains smooth and elegant. Plenty of secondary notes including roasted cofee and dark chocolate. Long finish with moderate tannins. This is extremely good and promises to improve over time. (93+ pts).
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2/19/2013 - sjdcellar wrote: 93 Points
one of our favorite wines from a tough tasting - merlot provides tons of fruit but the cab franc adds richness and character. very nice wine and drinking perfectly right now.
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2/17/2013 - jeagle wrote: 92 Points
Decanted 8 hours prior to tasting. Nice texture, spot on bordeaux flavor profile with noticeable restraint, like an ensemble of dignified actors underplaying their roles. Worthy of more than polite applause, but a little disappointing that each did not put a little more of themselves out there.
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1/23/2013 - drrobvino wrote: 92 Points
PnP over 2 hours with steak dinner at Tony's.
Clear in appearance, dark ruby in color, barely fading to med ruby at the rim.
The nose is deep and voluptuous, offering up developing, med intensity aromas of black currant, tar, black cherry, and wet soil.
The palate is dry, showing full body and med(+) alcohol. There are med intensity flavors of black cherry and cassis, moist soil, coffee, and some underlying minerality. The med acidity is bolstered by med level tannins that are rounded yet still a bit persistent, allowing this nicely balanced wine to drink beautifully right now. The finish is med(+) in length, echoing dark forts and minerality for 30-45 secs.
This is a high quality wine that is in a great drinking window, and should stay there nicely for 10 more years. Paired beautifully with filet and NY Strip tonite. A silky and well balanced wine.
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12/24/2012 - prism wrote: 93 Points
Slow O'd for 30 minutes. A little disjointed on the pour; vibrant red fruit, seems young. After an hour it came together: a delicious Bordeaux blend. Very approachable with a little time; should only improve over the next few years.
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12/22/2012 - AMM3RD Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very had not to like this wine, very easy to drink and delicious. Dark fruit for days. Full flavored, but medium bodied on the palate, which is nice.
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11/6/2012 - Amerique wrote: 90 Points
Very soft and smooth, wine seemed to lack distinction and elegance, nevertheless clearly well made, but very expensive for given quality
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11/4/2012 - MLwine wrote: 91 Points
Solid fruit; enjoyable. Not much complexity. A little too much alcohol on the finish.
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9/16/2012 - mccaffery wrote:
Sept 16 post steelers loss
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8/22/2012 - oeno1820 wrote: 92 Points
River of deep merlot that segues briefly to another note -- perhaps chocolate and cassis? --and all the while you realize there is this pronounced sustained dark berry fruit. An imaginative approach to merlot that elevates it and transitions to something better.
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5/12/2012 - OneLastSyrah Likes this wine: 93 Points
14.5% ABV. Pretty much opaque dark garnet in the glass. Somewhat smoky nose with a bit of mocha and violet. Medium full bodied (full bodied?) with dark berry fruit. Ripe, but with some lingering soft tannins. Rather elegant with good length and complexity. Nice.
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3/11/2012 - tgkswine wrote:
A tale of two wines. The first night this was closed off, no fruit and no finiah. The second night the fruit opened up and this was a very good cab. An 86 night one and 91 on night 2.
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3/3/2012 - wirelesswine wrote: 94 Points
A bit more time in bottle has done wonders for this wine, it has been tamed down just the right amount, it is still big CA fruit but with the great Larkmead complexity - including graphite and herbs. Only quibble is the alcohol is a bit high on the nose, but otherwise this is drinking beautifully!
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3/3/2012 - Schiffy wrote: 93 Points
Terrific bordeaux blend in a modern style with abundant dark fruits that are restrained and nicely integrated into the tannins. While beautifully structured, this wine needs at least 30 minutes to fully enjoy. Think this wine will only get better with age.
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1/29/2012 - bobpsi wrote: 93 Points
Similar to previous notes. Delicious.
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1/26/2012 - Dasher wrote: 92 Points
Still needs some time in the bottle
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12/31/2011 - JoelZ wrote: 95 Points
Excellent drink. The acid is there to keep the fruit balanced. The year in the cellar was a plus I think.
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12/18/2011 - jdabrowski1027 wrote:
No formal notes taken, popped with my parents to celebrate baby Cole coming into our lives. This showed very well with the merlot really shining through, very round and balanced.
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10/4/2011 - eschuldt wrote: 93 Points
Excellent wine, nice round profile with spice and enough tannin to provide structure.
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9/30/2011 - Amerique wrote: 91 Points
Smooth, restrained black cherry fruit with slight smokey, vanilln oak flavors, very good structure, medium finish
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9/8/2011 - oeno1820 wrote: 92 Points
Merlot but with depth and dimension and ... zest.
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8/15/2011 - Weston3220 wrote: 92 Points
Dinner at MH Place, Cooked by Chef Weston (Eugene, Oregon): Well Forgot to actually write down a note, must of been that good, this wine from memory was amazing [like all Larkmeads it seems] Good power/fruit/brightness never feeling goopy or over done
Conc: Cheers!
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6/30/2011 - cookie7 wrote: 91 Points
Pop and pour - note after 3 hours. This opened up nicely and paired well with a steak. Ripe red and blue fruits on the nose. Soft tannins and some pepper and spice on the finish.
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5/23/2011 - elamasters wrote: 93 Points
This is drinking so nicely now. Loads of complexity. Continuously developed and showed more and more new dimensions over the couple of hours we enjoyed it.
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2/21/2011 - BobMilton Likes this wine: 92 Points
Good fruit, nicely balanced, smooth. Perhaps could use another year or two in the bottle, though it is quite nice now.
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2/10/2011 - sterin wrote: 95 Points
Stunning. The nose is amazing and it is so delicious already.
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2/6/2011 - yeti575rider wrote: 93 Points
Lived up to what I remembered from the tasting at the winery. Napa meets Bordeaux. Black currant and loam (borrowing that idea from Tanzer I) but that describes it best actually. Nose is currant with slightly herbal notes. Wish I had more than my 1 remaining. Drink or hold.
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1/13/2011 - jaylew1 wrote: 94 Points
Better than the Solari. Good balance, and restraint. Maybe 94 is generous, but not less than 92-3. Very worthwhile for the $.
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1/8/2011 - tumble wrote:
At Vavra's
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12/26/2010 - Dasher wrote: 92 Points
Dark in color, inky, inky. A little age it will be wonderful.
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12/10/2010 - Roentgen Ray wrote: 90 Points
Dark color. The nose displays currant, dusty minerality, and some red fruit. It is a little reticent. It becomes a little more complex when it is in the mouth. The oak influence is detectable. The tannins are noticeably smoother and riper than the 2006.
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11/13/2010 - BobMilton Likes this wine: 94 Points
An excellent red - smooth, fruit forward, with enough earth and acid to balance. Primary flavors are dark fruits (black cherry, currant).
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11/7/2010 - dontime wrote: 92 Points
Very good, although it did not excite me as much as the prior bottle. Complex with dark fruit, wood and mineral. A bit hot towards the end - I probably should have decanted. Still, showing very well with two bottles left.
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10/17/2010 - Robert Pavlovich wrote: 93 Points
Knockout dark cherry nose with vibrant, tasteful fruit and underlying smoke, spice, and minerality. There's a sudden sharp acidity on the mid-palate that adds complexity and power, but more importantly displays aging potential, as fruit forward as it may taste. This wine has shifted strictly to the allocated list, and is noticeably outperforming the 2007 cabernet sauvignon. Looking forward to seeing how this wine evolves over the next five years, but expect it to peak in 2012.
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8/16/2010 - wdb001 wrote: 93 Points
I love this wine. Beautiful floral nose. Notes of black cherries, chocolate and a touch of herbs. Full bodied with sweet tannins. Very nice and will only get better with time.
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8/7/2010 - Eric Guido Likes this wine: 94 Points
Popped and poured without any decant.
What a nose on this wine tonight with rich, dusty black currant, dry coca, graphite and the slightest hint of bell pepper. This wine pulls you in and makes you swoon. The palate shows black cherries on a full bodied frame with mouth watering acidity. Notes of dark chocolate and licorice make an appearance on the long, robust finish and stays with you for over a minute.
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8/5/2010 - jrobs7777 wrote: 90 Points
California Wine Tasting Adventure; 8/2/2010-8/6/2010 (Napa, Sonoma): Tasted at winery. Nice proprietary blend. Dark color. Red fruit on nose, with some mocha and cocoa underneath. Palate had initial red fruit with some darker berries, plum and a hint of tobacco. Smooth fine tannins with nice moderate finish. Tasty wine for what it is. Lacked a bit of concentration and depth.
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7/21/2010 - Franklin wrote: 93 Points
Bordeaux-like bouquet of leather and cassis; full mid-palate balanced well by its tannins accented by its acid. Somewhat floral for a 2007 CA cab. I really liked this wine as I have the 2005 every time I've had it. Consumed next to 1998/2000 St. Emilions and it showed very well. I will drink my other 3 from 2012-2017.
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7/19/2010 - bobpsi wrote: 93 Points
1 Hr decant. Very expressive nose of dark cherry, currant, herbs and vanilla. Great mouth feel with ripe dark fruits surrounded by chocolate and caramel with a hint of green pepper adding complexity. Really long finish. looking forward to watching this progress over time.
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7/7/2010 - Dasher wrote: 92 Points
Great bottle of wine. Still needs a few years, however great taste.
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6/27/2010 - jdabrowski1027 wrote: 93 Points
excellent.
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5/10/2010 - mokadamn wrote: 92 Points
Deep and dark color. Cassis and acetone on the nose. Early fruit is overcome by somewhat harsh tannins that linger. Finish is strong. This wine needs time in the cellar and will shine in several more years. Glad I have a couple more bottles
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5/8/2010 - jcvalenti wrote: 92 Points
Another beautiful effort from Larkmead. Drank right out of the bottle with no decant and it was impressive. Nose was more floral than the cabernet, with a pleasant hazelnut and rich dark cherry mix. Slight alcohol burn on first sip, but mellowed quickly revealing lush dark fruit, with a very slightly minty finish. Full bodied with a ton of fruit. I expect this wine to smooth out and be absolutely beautiful in 2 years, and the LMV Salon (the "upscale" version of the Firebelle blend) should be stunning in 5 - 10.
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3/22/2010 - OneLastSyrah Likes this wine: 93 Points
14.5% ABV. Dark garnet, opaque in the glass. Sweet smelling with a nuance of vanilla creme brulee in the toasty oak. Rich with mocha, mint, and black fruit. Coming back to it I noticed a touch of cocoa/chocolate. Nice richness and complexity.
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3/20/2010 - sswine wrote: 90 Points
Tasted at Larkmead. Lively acid shows through in this Merlot based prop blend. A nice taste that got less acidic the more you drank it - some people like that kind of thing. Tastes like it needs food to bring it back down a bit - probably wouldnt drink it on its own.
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3/20/2010 - Rich S wrote:
Total dark fruit and cream explosion on the nose and palate. Raspberry, cassis, vanilla and cream for days. Palate coating mouthfeel and long finish. It's hard to score this wine right now because it is so massive but based on what it has going on, this could be a 94+ pointer with some bottle age, maybe 3-5 years.
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3/19/2010 - wirelesswine wrote: 93 Points
Delicious, with creamy notes on the nose and a great mouthfeel. I think this wine is definitely too young now, even with decanting I felt like it was a bit too early for this one. Should be a knockout in a few years!
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3/18/2010 - elamasters wrote: 90 Points
Very dark with lots of chocolate, mocha, and cocoa flavors. Very mouth-filling. Good with burgers.
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3/15/2010 - Bakek wrote: 91 Points
This will be an excellent wine, but it was very tight and just didn't seem to open up -- even with decanting. Great color, very chewy.
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3/12/2010 - dontime wrote: 94 Points
I could tell while decanting that this was a winner. Deep, deep ruby in color lighting slightly at the edges. Nose of understated ripe fruit and floral notes of lavender. Thick and chewy. In the mouth more ripe fruit including cranberries and black cherries. Balanced with more floral notes, some earth and a bit of mineral. Long, smooth and satisfying finish that leaves you wanting another taste. Should cellar well, and I will hold my remaining bottles for a while.
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3/10/2010 - cbkamp wrote: 92 Points
Drank this over two nights. An amazing nose with cranberries, raspberries, and mint. Maybe some floral aromas too. On the palate, very ripe fruit. Not much green at all in this blend. Amazing mouthfeel, especially considering the youth of this wine. The black fruit was masked a bit by a ton of spice especially on the mid-palate. Longggg finish. The nose is worth the price of admission alone - another good value from an underrated producer. Can't wait to try this again in few years.
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3/2/2010 - Eric Guido Likes this wine: 94 Points
Deep purple color at it's core which fades to dark ruby red at the edges. The aromatics are intense and rich but at the same time fresh with aromas of dusty red fruit, wild berries and a floral nose that swings through violets, mint and lavender. All of this with a hint butterscotch that lingers with each sniff. On the palate you find a mouth coating yet utterly electric collection of flavors. Blueberries and black currants with herbs and earth. Mocca and dark fruits on the long finish. Well Done.
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2/28/2010 - redrules wrote: 94 Points
Best Merlot blend I have had. Great fruit and complexity. Finsih lasts. Full- bodied powerhouse.
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