2016 Larkmead "Solari" Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2016 Larkmead "Solari" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

  This is a big and juicy red with dark berries, tobacco and hazelnuts. Iron too. Full body and layered, chewy tannins. Balsamic lilt to the red fruit on the palate. Ripe and beautiful. Brick and terracota character to the ripe fruit. Tar too. Needs time to soften.  

97 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

  Medium to deep garnet-colored, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Solari (Black Label) (made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon) bursts from the glass with vibrant black and red cherry preserves, dark chocolate, crushed black currants and warm plums scents plus hints of spearmint, roses, underbrush, truffles and bay leaves. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers a fantastic intensity of black fruit and savory layers, supported with a frame of wonderfully ripe, fine-grained tannins and great freshness, finishing long and minerally. (LPB) 97+  

97 points Vinous

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Solari is the wine where all the Larkmead signatures come together. Powerful, resonant and also savory, the Solari has so much to offer. Bright red cherry, plum, mocha, new leather and spice infuse this unctuous yet structured, powerful Cabernet Sauvignon. (AG)  [Inner quote mark]  (12/2018)

96 points Jeb Dunnuck

[Outer quote mark]  Another deep, powerful wine, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Solari (100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 21 months in 72% new French oak) reveals a ruby/purple-hued color as well as ample black, black fruits, charcoal, graphite, and tobacco-laced aromas and flavors. While it’s still in the firm, austere style of all these 2016s, this cuvée is one of the more rounded, supple, and textured, and is certainly the most drinkable today. Nevertheless, it needs at a minimum 7-8 years of cellaring to start to approach its window of prime drinking and will keep for decades.  [Inner quote mark]  (1/2019)

95 points Wine Enthusiast

[Outer quote mark]  Entirely varietal and made from a tiny yielding section of the estate vineyard, a force of nature and mineral. A substantial nose of baked black fruit, coffee bean and chewy, grippy tannin give it a tenacity and weight that finds length enough to smoothen out the sharp edges, dried herb and clove. This is one to let settle. *Cellar Selection* (VB) 

94 points Wine Spectator

[Outer quote mark]  Bright red currant, raspberry and damson plum coulis flavors race through, with tweaks of savory and sassafras as well. Rich and polished in feel, with a well-embedded singed juniper thread on the finish. Distinctive and long. (JM)  [Inner quote mark]  (10/2019)