Larkmead Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

The 2022 Larkmead Cabernet Sauvignon is a compelling expression of one of Napa Valley’s most historic vineyard sites, combining power, precision, and longevity in a wine built to both impress today and evolve gracefully for decades. Produced entirely from Larkmead’s estate vineyards in Calistoga, this limited bottling of just 2,239 cases reflects meticulous vineyard selection and thoughtful winemaking under the direction of Winemaker Avery Heelan.

The blend is anchored by 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by 18% Cabernet Franc, a noteworthy inclusion that, for the first time in over a decade, incorporates nearly all of the Cabernet Franc planted across the estate. This addition brings lift, aromatic brightness, and refined texture, enhancing both complexity and balance. The vineyards span diverse soil profiles, including Cortina gravel and Pleasanton loam, contributing structure, minerality, and depth to the finished wine.

Aged for 22 months in French oak, 71% new, the wine opens with an expressive and layered aromatic profile. The nose is immediately captivating, revealing vibrant red plum and dark cocoa, followed by wild raspberries still on the vine. Subtle herbal notes of crushed sage give way to spiced winter fruits, with hints of cinnamon, anise, vanilla, and clove. As the wine evolves in the glass, deeper tones of cedarwood and graphite emerge, underscoring its complexity and age-worthy character.

On the palate, the 2022 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is broad, seamless, and beautifully composed. Bright red currant and berry flavors are interwoven with nuanced accents of dried tobacco and chamomile tea. Fine-grained tannins coat the mid-palate, providing structure without heaviness, while maintaining a vivid, expressive core of fruit that carries through to a long, polished finish. The integration of oak is precise and restrained, layering notes of vanilla, cocoa, and warm spice without overshadowing the vineyard’s natural freshness and purity.

At 14.9% alcohol, the wine strikes an impressive balance between richness and elegance, making it both immediately appealing and profoundly cellar-worthy. According to its drinking window, this is a Cabernet Sauvignon that can be enjoyed now, yet will continue to gain complexity and nuance over the next 15 to 30 years, rewarding patient collectors.