Cabernet Sauvignon, Larkmead Vineyards 2015

Moving to the 2015s, the largest production cuvee from younger vines is the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon and it includes 3% Cabernet Franc and spent 18 months in 65% new French oak. Possessing terrific richness in its dark fruit, tobacco and Graves-like minerality, this beauty is full-bodied, concentrated and layered on the palate. It’s a beautiful base cuvee that does everything right.

Cabernet is the king in this area, and looking at Larkmead’s 2015s, winemaker Petroski remarked on what a fine Indian summer it was, with 100 days separating bloom and harvest. The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon is aged in two-thirds new French oak and is their largest cuvée (2,850 cases). A blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc, this is a real winner. Concentrated, with an unctuous texture, an opaque purple color and notes of graphite, white chocolate, coffee bean, and plenty of blackberry and cassis, it will be a stunner when released and drink well early on, but it should be capable of lasting 20 or more years.

Larkmead's deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon shows a meaty/earthy nose of charcuterie, underbrush, damp soil and mossy bark with a core of cassis, black plums and espresso. Concentrated and rich in the full-bodied mouth, the tannins are firm and chewy, and it finishes with great length and depth.