Larkmead Vineyards
Firebelle Napa Valley Merlot Blend
Napa Valley, California, USA
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.
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.
Larkmead always makes me smile. :)
Larkmead always makes me smile. :)
1 person found it helpfulJul 11th, 2014Perfect way to toast our little family Christmas. Still tons of red fruit on the palate and some menthol in the nose. And millions of good memories make it even better.
Perfect way to toast our little family Christmas. Still tons of red fruit on the palate and some menthol in the nose. And millions of good memories make it even better.
Jan 8th, 2017
Merlot, Cabernet, Malbec
Merlot, Cabernet, Malbec
Jun 8th, 2014
Great mag. Prefer this to their straight cabs.
Great mag. Prefer this to their straight cabs.
Mar 7th, 2021Great wine, and still young, dark fruit, mild oak, this one is still growing up
Great wine, and still young, dark fruit, mild oak, this one is still growing up
Mar 20th, 20162007 Larkmead Firebelle.... Earthy, Minerals, licorice , smooth!
2007 Larkmead Firebelle.... Earthy, Minerals, licorice , smooth!
Aug 13th, 2015
