Larkmead Vineyards

Firebelle Napa Valley Merlot Blend

9.359 ratings
9.212 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Merlot Blend
Top Notes For
Cathy Corison

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

8.9

Very ripe

Very ripe

Dec 9th, 2021
Sipping Fine Wine

Dates back to the late 1800s, & have been owned by Solari family since 1948. The historic Estate has 145 acres. Deep Ruby with complex aromas of fruit, sweet cacao & spice for this Bordeaux blend of 42% Merlot, 35% Cab Sauv, 13% Malbec. 5% Petit Verdot & 5% Cab Franc. On the palate well structured with big fruit flavors of blackberry, raspberry & sweet cherry with espresso & cacao notes adding a bit of leather. Fine tannins, big finish, pops out of the glass ending with beautiful fruit & a bit of sweet oak.

Dates back to the late 1800s, & have been owned by Solari family since 1948. The historic Estate has 145 acres. Deep Ruby with complex aromas of fruit, sweet cacao & spice for this Bordeaux blend of 42% Merlot, 35% Cab Sauv, 13% Malbec. 5% Petit Verdot & 5% Cab Franc. On the palate well structured with big fruit flavors of blackberry, raspberry & sweet cherry with espresso & cacao notes adding a bit of leather. Fine tannins, big finish, pops out of the glass ending with beautiful fruit & a bit of sweet oak.

Aug 25th, 2020
Sipping Fine Wine

Dates back to the late 1800s, & have been owned by Solari family since 1948. The historic Estate has 145 acres. Deep Ruby with complex aromas of fruit, sweet cacao & spice for this Bordeaux blend of 42% Merlot, 35% Cab Sauv, 13% Malbec. 5% Petit Verdot & 5% Cab Franc. On the palate well structured with big fruit flavors of blackberry, raspberry & sweet cherry with espresso & cacao notes adding a bit of leather. Fine tannins, big finish, pops out of the glass ending with beautiful fruit & a bit of sweet oak.

Dates back to the late 1800s, & have been owned by Solari family since 1948. The historic Estate has 145 acres. Deep Ruby with complex aromas of fruit, sweet cacao & spice for this Bordeaux blend of 42% Merlot, 35% Cab Sauv, 13% Malbec. 5% Petit Verdot & 5% Cab Franc. On the palate well structured with big fruit flavors of blackberry, raspberry & sweet cherry with espresso & cacao notes adding a bit of leather. Fine tannins, big finish, pops out of the glass ending with beautiful fruit & a bit of sweet oak.

1 person found it helpfulOct 14th, 2018
Paul Weil

An amazing Napa Merlot blend with lots of bright cherry and dark chocolate flavors, and a body on the larger side of medium.

An amazing Napa Merlot blend with lots of bright cherry and dark chocolate flavors, and a body on the larger side of medium.

1 person found it helpfulSep 4th, 2018
Bill Bender

Dark blue fruit, chocolate covered cherries, liquid smoke and power. It comes across like a young super Tuscan tonight.

Dark blue fruit, chocolate covered cherries, liquid smoke and power. It comes across like a young super Tuscan tonight.

1 person found it helpfulOct 22nd, 2017
Kenneth Korsbæk

Tight juicy compact structural Wine from Larkmead, one of my favorite cab producers in Napa.

Tight juicy compact structural Wine from Larkmead, one of my favorite cab producers in Napa.

Jun 1st, 2013
Steve Gerths

Great wine from historic vineyard

Great wine from historic vineyard

May 18th, 2019
Daryl Calhoun

Friday afternoon before vacation week! What better a moment to enjoy a glass or two? Been sitting on some Firebelle bottles for (probably) too long, and the first sip post-cork says the wait was worthwhile. Yes, I know, it’s a Merlot blend and probably shouldn’t age too long, but I don’t think this bottle suffered at all. Inky dark, rich, smooth mid-mouth feel. Light finish with just a hint of strawberry. Very little mineral effect usually typical of Larkmead due to mid valley floor. Enjoy the weekend, all. Headed out to Tahoe...

Friday afternoon before vacation week! What better a moment to enjoy a glass or two? Been sitting on some Firebelle bottles for (probably) too long, and the first sip post-cork says the wait was worthwhile. Yes, I know, it’s a Merlot blend and probably shouldn’t age too long, but I don’t think this bottle suffered at all. Inky dark, rich, smooth mid-mouth feel. Light finish with just a hint of strawberry. Very little mineral effect usually typical of Larkmead due to mid valley floor. Enjoy the weekend, all. Headed out to Tahoe...

Mar 15th, 2019
John Zuzek

Expansive nose of dark berry compote and a little anise. Dark and brooding. Tannins have mellowed somewhat but still going strong. Lots of dark fruit, allspice and cherry cola.

Expansive nose of dark berry compote and a little anise. Dark and brooding. Tannins have mellowed somewhat but still going strong. Lots of dark fruit, allspice and cherry cola.

Oct 22nd, 2018
.
9.3

Beautiful, delicious, ready to go.

Beautiful, delicious, ready to go.

Apr 25th, 2018