Cathy Corison

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

9.2

1989 Bordeaux PNV Retrospective at Larkmead. Ringer! Purported itself very well. Pretty perfume, hint of capsicum. Cedar. Warm. Coffee. — 7 years ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.5

The best white made in Napa today! — 7 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.6

Cayuse was called for after a long week at the office which consisted of tastings at Larkmead and Skipstone (not to mention tasting each barrel of 2016 Theorem) and visits to our two new vineyard sites (Moon Mountain and Dry Creek). The highlight of the week, though, was my first working lunch at Diavola in Geyserville. I get it now... anytime close and it’s mandatory.

As for this Cayuse... the 2011 God Only Knows Grenache comes from a 7 acre parcel of the Armada Vineyard in Walla Walla Valley. The other 25 acres or so are planted to Syrah. While close to being ready immediately, an hour open really helps it work out the kinks, which should almost be expected for a wine this exotic. At its core it is kirsch infused with fresh cracked pepper, forest floor, and Herbes de Provence, with a pure minerality that adds just enough acid, but not too much that it keeps the Strawberry from shaking its ass. Stunning. — 7 years ago

Felipe Zardo

9.5

Amazing. Eucalyptus on the nose. Black cherries and velvety tannins. — 8 years ago

with Malee

Isaac Pirolo

9.3

From the folks who brought you (in label order from top to bottom) Anamoly and Zeitgeist, Hyde de Villaine and Long Meadow Ranch, Terra Valentine, Massican and Larkmead, Hobel and Milton Road Trading Co., lead by a Master Sommelier employed by Dana Estates, previously with Harlan, Bond, and Promontory, and the sell side being handled by a VP of marketing from Michael Mondavi's Folio.

The stated goal was to create the best pound for pound Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa (highest QPR). The band pooled resources and pulled favors, sourcing the grapes from "one of 'those' vineyards" that cannot be named due to a NDA. 18 months in 1-year old French oak. 15% Merlot and 2% Cab Franc round the balance of Cabernet Sauvignon.

I knew going in this would not be an over extracted fruit bomb, but upon opening I had my concerns that this might be too far in the opposite direction. Fortunately, after 30-45 minutes, it started adding weight like a prize fighter after weigh-in. Acacia flowers, melted licorice, black fruit, with plenty on mineral laced, satiny tannin. Give this an hour, wait for your second glass, and it will envelop you. 93+

And for the record, my guess is they sourced the grapes from a Spring Mountain vineyard. — 9 years ago

David Devan

9.0

Beautiful... Aged nicely — 10 years ago

Jimmy Hayes

Estate Director Mayacamas Vineyard

9.2

Zero expectations, so it wasn't easy to surpass them, but a pretty awesome surprise. Very dense and fruity driven wine, indicative of North Valley floor for sure. A bit of cellar must but all in all very much alive and drinkable. — 10 years ago

M Lawin

9.0

2010 vintage - Happy Thanksgiving ! — 11 years ago

Tim Gray

9.0

Actually very beautiful and right on time. — 12 years ago

Cathy Corison

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

9.3

1989 Bordeaux PNV Retrospective at Larkmead. Very mature. Dried herbs. Perfume emerges. Modest acidity. Tannis. — 7 years ago

Cathy Corison

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

9.6

1989 Bordeaux PNV Retrospective at Larkmead. Cinnamon and clove spice. Canned peaches. Explosive aromatics. Floral perfume, earth. Full, powerful. Long. Love. — 7 years ago

Ben Harris

8.9

We opened this after a long day of tasting,so maybe my palate was exhausted, but it felt one dimensional. — 8 years ago

with Nate

Bruce Evans

9.7

OMG....1939 and this wine is still alive! A once in a lifetime experience. Thank you Larkmead Vineyards! — 8 years ago

with John and Alex

Justin Brilman

9.0

Had this after a Larkmead LMV Salon and it lacked a little depth in the mid palate. Nice fruit and texture for a tough year. — 9 years ago

William Feinstein

9.0

Picked this up in Napa a few trips ago while stopping at Twomey on way to Larkmead. They were clearing out the cellar and we picked up a case. Beautiful expression of well aged merlot. Still has plenty of stuffing and drinking beautifully. Great bargain if you can find it. — 10 years ago

with Maryalice

Shae Kinsman

9.7

Floored. So silky on entry, gorgeous juicy red fruits, wild herbs. Generous mid-palate, then insanely delicate tannins, creeping in, building up. Dark cherries, earth, coffee. Thought it was neb!! Truly amazing. A delight. I wish I'd had more than the last sip of the bottle!! — 10 years ago

Rob Sternthal

9.2

Very similar to Larkmead. An excellent wine. — 10 years ago

Michael Townley

9.3

Nice dark fruit with a taste of licorice. Continues to get better as it breathes. — 10 years ago

Jimmy Lake

9.3

Excellent. More fruity than larkmead — 11 years ago

Cathy Corison

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

9.2

1989 Bordeaux PNV Retrospective at Larkmead. Spearmint, weedy. Very mature (past?). Fruit gone- all about bottle bouquet. — 7 years ago

Steve Anderson

9.3

Pre-Larkmead bottling. Didn’t have the telltale Cab nose of the Arrowood or Forman, and not sure I would have pegged it as Cabernet if tasted blind. That said, this was a beautiful wine. Soft fruit, great balance, and in a word, elegant. Nice surprise. And no, @Bill Bender that is not The Skipper on the label. — 7 years ago

Joe Kaiser

9.2

What a wonderful wine, and in a good place, wonderful mouth feel, tropical fruit, with hint of vanilla, on the palate apple, pear, with hints of spice giving away to balance & finesse. Beautiful wine! Thanks David @RameyWineCellars! Think I'll take my double mag 05 Larkmead Cab to 4th cookout tomorrow. — 8 years ago

Dr Glen Spinelli

9.5

Fruit on par with my favorite Larkmead cabs. This one is in my top three Cali cabs ever! — 8 years ago

Bill Crites

9.1

Need to taste this again in a different setting. It was overwhelmed by a Larkmead and a Moone-Tsai. Restrained flavors and nose. — 9 years ago

with Dave

Steve Gerths

9.5

Gamba 2007 Zin Magnum, 2009 Larkmead LMV Salon, Gamba 2009 Zin, 2012 Caymus Cab. All spectacular wines. Drank with friends at Chops in Naples, FL — 10 years ago

Matt Austin

Owner/Winemaker, Grosgrain Vineyards, Walla Walla, WA

9.0

Declassified Larkmead juice, hence the clever name. Better on day two, which usually means it could use more time in the cellar, but for some reason I wouldn't suggest it. — 10 years ago

Justin Brilman

9.0

Back to back with Ramey 05 larkmead and this was nice but still a little hot. Needs more time in the cellar. Looking forward to 3-5 years... — 10 years ago

Michael Townley

9.1

Softer sweeter cherry notes with lite hints of chocolate on the finish. 100% cab and 2nd year of making this wine. — 10 years ago

Joshua Thomas

Wine Director/Sommelier Prospect Restaurant SF

9.1

Pretty cool to taste some of the oldest Tocai Friulano vines in Cali. Crisp and fresh with great texture. — 11 years ago

Steve Herndon

9.6

08 Larkmead Syrah, their last vintage of Syrah, was the wine of the night — 12 years ago