![Larkmead Cabernet Sauvignon "The Lark" 2016 (Napa Valley, California) - [JS 98] [WE 97] [VM 97] [JD 95+] [WA 95-97] [WS 94]](http://artisan.wine/cdn/shop/products/LarkmeadTheLarkBTL_{width}x.png?v=1631660230)
Larkmead Cabernet Sauvignon "The Lark" 2016
(Napa Valley, California) - [JS 98] [WE 97] [VM 97] [JD 95+] [WA 95-97] [WS 94]
Regular price $324.00 Sale price $319.97 Save $4.03
About the Winery:
The historic Larkmead estate is one of the oldest family-owned establishments in Napa Valley. Originally founded in 1895, Larkmead is now under the stewardship of proprietors Cam and Kate Solari Baker.
Larkmead’s legendary vineyard features a remarkable diversity of soils that are more typical of a hillside than the valley floor. Centuries of alluvial flow have resulted in the accumulation of ancient riverbed gravel, clay, and loam. Winemaker Avery Heelan captures the nuance and complexity of this site by vinifying small lots according to clonal selection and soil type.
Tasting Notes:
The grape growing conditions in the 2016 vintage were some one of the finest on record for Larkmead. Thus, this bottling rivals the depth and power of its older sibling, the 2013, to which Robert Parker bestowed a perfect 100-point score.
Black cherry liquor and cured meat dominate the early bouquet, while licorice and graphite follow. The wine’s aromas finish with savory sage notes and a little lavender brightens it up.
Though all Larkmead wines are blessed with a signature core of ripe blue fruit, dried herbs, and bittersweet chocolate, The Lark bottling consistently wraps these nuances into the perfect silk and velvet package. Suppleness of palate is also characteristic of The Lark. It touches and softens all of the corners of your mouth, elegantly releasing its perfume for 30 seconds or more. This is a profound wine and its brilliance is unmatched.
CLASSIFICATION: LARKMEAD
PRODUCTION: 283 CASES
VARIETAL COMPOSITION: 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON
SOIL PROFILE: BALE LOAM (SAND)
ALCOHOL: 14.6%
FRENCH OAK AGING: 21 MONTHS, 83% NEWTONNELLERIE SYLVAIN
CELLARING: DRINK NOW AND FOR 20-30 YEARS
The historic Larkmead estate is one of the oldest family-owned establishments in Napa Valley. Originally founded in 1895, Larkmead is now under the stewardship of proprietors Cam and Kate Solari Baker.
Larkmead’s legendary vineyard features a remarkable diversity of soils that are more typical of a hillside than the valley floor. Centuries of alluvial flow have resulted in the accumulation of ancient riverbed gravel, clay, and loam. Winemaker Avery Heelan captures the nuance and complexity of this site by vinifying small lots according to clonal selection and soil type.
Tasting Notes:
The grape growing conditions in the 2016 vintage were some one of the finest on record for Larkmead. Thus, this bottling rivals the depth and power of its older sibling, the 2013, to which Robert Parker bestowed a perfect 100-point score.
Black cherry liquor and cured meat dominate the early bouquet, while licorice and graphite follow. The wine’s aromas finish with savory sage notes and a little lavender brightens it up.
Though all Larkmead wines are blessed with a signature core of ripe blue fruit, dried herbs, and bittersweet chocolate, The Lark bottling consistently wraps these nuances into the perfect silk and velvet package. Suppleness of palate is also characteristic of The Lark. It touches and softens all of the corners of your mouth, elegantly releasing its perfume for 30 seconds or more. This is a profound wine and its brilliance is unmatched.
Technical Information
WINE: 2016 THE LARKCLASSIFICATION: LARKMEAD
PRODUCTION: 283 CASES
VARIETAL COMPOSITION: 100% CABERNET SAUVIGNON
SOIL PROFILE: BALE LOAM (SAND)
ALCOHOL: 14.6%
FRENCH OAK AGING: 21 MONTHS, 83% NEWTONNELLERIE SYLVAIN
CELLARING: DRINK NOW AND FOR 20-30 YEARS
Ratings & Reviews
98 Points - James Suckling:
"So much tile and brick character, highlighting the cherries and currants. Dark chocolate too. Hints of fresh herbs. Full body, soft, chewy tannins and such beautiful currant, coffee and chocolate flavors. Very long. 2020 release. Try after in 2023." (2/9/2019)
97 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Made entierly from Cabernet Sauvignon, this top tier wine offers dark, brooding flavors of coffee, toffee, sage and earth. It is robust in feel, showing up-front power and structure that's balanced by nuanced oak. This deserves more time in the cellar; enjoy 2026–2031." - Virginie Boone (11/1/2019)
97 Points - Vinous Media:
"Gravel, smoke, game, licorice and tobacco are some of the many notes that take shape in the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon The Lark. Powerful, vertical and explosive, the 2016 possesses tremendous depth and intensity. In the glass, The Lark is vertical in shape and intensely mineral-driven in profile. I can't wait to see how it ages. Lavender, menthol, spice and new leather add the closing layers of complexity." (12/2018)
95+ Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Brought up in 83% new French oak, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon The Lark (and actually the whole lineup in 2016) is one for the old-school California Cabernet lovers out there, with a firm, focused, old-school feel that's going to require serious bottle age to be drinkable. A complex bouquet of lavender, sage brush, graphite, blueberries, and iron all emerge from this deep, intense, yet inward wine that has tons of tannins yet matching depth and intensity. It's a brilliant wine but needs at least a decade of bottle age and I suspect will be a 50-year wine." (1/31/2019)
95-97 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate;
"A barrel sample of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon The Lark (Black Label) has a fantastically expressive nose of crème de cassis, preserved plums and blackberry compote with suggestions of sautéed herbs, tobacco leaf, scorched earth and smoked meats. The full-bodied palate is built like a brick house, with a very firm frame of ripe, grainy tannins and compelling freshness supporting the taut, muscular fruit, finishing long and earthy. 290 cases are expected to be made." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown (6/29/2018)
94 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This sports prominent sage and bay leaf notes out front, followed by dark berry and bitter plum compote flavors. Focused and fine-grained in feel, with a lingering tug of warm earth on the finish. Should be interesting to watch this evolve. Best from 2022 through 2035. 283 cases made." - JM (11/15/2020)
"So much tile and brick character, highlighting the cherries and currants. Dark chocolate too. Hints of fresh herbs. Full body, soft, chewy tannins and such beautiful currant, coffee and chocolate flavors. Very long. 2020 release. Try after in 2023." (2/9/2019)
97 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Made entierly from Cabernet Sauvignon, this top tier wine offers dark, brooding flavors of coffee, toffee, sage and earth. It is robust in feel, showing up-front power and structure that's balanced by nuanced oak. This deserves more time in the cellar; enjoy 2026–2031." - Virginie Boone (11/1/2019)
97 Points - Vinous Media:
"Gravel, smoke, game, licorice and tobacco are some of the many notes that take shape in the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon The Lark. Powerful, vertical and explosive, the 2016 possesses tremendous depth and intensity. In the glass, The Lark is vertical in shape and intensely mineral-driven in profile. I can't wait to see how it ages. Lavender, menthol, spice and new leather add the closing layers of complexity." (12/2018)
95+ Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Brought up in 83% new French oak, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon The Lark (and actually the whole lineup in 2016) is one for the old-school California Cabernet lovers out there, with a firm, focused, old-school feel that's going to require serious bottle age to be drinkable. A complex bouquet of lavender, sage brush, graphite, blueberries, and iron all emerge from this deep, intense, yet inward wine that has tons of tannins yet matching depth and intensity. It's a brilliant wine but needs at least a decade of bottle age and I suspect will be a 50-year wine." (1/31/2019)
95-97 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate;
"A barrel sample of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon The Lark (Black Label) has a fantastically expressive nose of crème de cassis, preserved plums and blackberry compote with suggestions of sautéed herbs, tobacco leaf, scorched earth and smoked meats. The full-bodied palate is built like a brick house, with a very firm frame of ripe, grainy tannins and compelling freshness supporting the taut, muscular fruit, finishing long and earthy. 290 cases are expected to be made." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown (6/29/2018)
94 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This sports prominent sage and bay leaf notes out front, followed by dark berry and bitter plum compote flavors. Focused and fine-grained in feel, with a lingering tug of warm earth on the finish. Should be interesting to watch this evolve. Best from 2022 through 2035. 283 cases made." - JM (11/15/2020)