2010 Larkmead Firebelle
Pulled this out of the cellar. The wine is simply a wonderful expression of a Bordeaux style wine. North of St Helena and south of Calistoga this is one of the premier vineyards in Napa Valley. Using 100% Estate grown grapes they combined 42% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc. They aged it for 20 months in 49% new French oak barrels. This produced on the eye, a dark ruby wine and medium heavy viscosity. On the nose and in the mouth a complex collection of sweet pipe tobacco, blackberry, floral notes, raspberry and black cherry. The finish had a definite chocolate taste and an extremely smooth ending. The texture and structure was also intriguing due the varietals used. This could have been cellared for another 10 years!
Slainte,
California Wines & Wineries 