Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Another titan of Napa Valley is Larkmead’s 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Solari Reserve. Composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot, it is a sumptuous, virtually perfect expression of wine with an inky/purple color, beautiful floral aromas intermixed with sweet, pure black currants and hints of licorice as well as subtle oak. The extraordinary ripeness of the tannins, the flawless integration of acidity, tannin, wood and alcohol, the remarkable finish, and the full-bodied texture make for a tour de force in winemaking. It can be drunk now, but will benefit from another 2-3 years of cellaring. It will age effortlessly for 20-40+ years. How fun it would be to go through life arguing over which is the better wine, the 2004 Salon or the 2004 Solari Reserve.
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Wine Spectator
Rich and opulent, with a deep, plush offering of ripe plum, currant and black cherry fruit that's evenly distributed and impeccably balanced, ending with a broad range of complex, fleshy Cabernet fruit that's bold and expansive.
One of the most prestigious wines of the world capable of great power and grace, Napa Valley Cabernet is a leading force in the world of fine, famous, collectible red wine. Today the Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon are so intrinsically linked that it is difficult to discuss one without the other. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that this marriage came to light; sudden international recognition rained upon Napa with the victory of the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1976 Judgement of Paris.
Cabernet Sauvignon undoubtedly dominates Napa Valley today, covering half of the land under vine, commanding the highest prices per ton and earning the most critical acclaim. Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure, acidity, capacity to thrive in multiple environs and ability to express nuances of vintage make it perfect for Napa Valley where incredible soil and geographical diversity are found and the climate is perfect for grape growing. Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that express specific characteristics based on situation, slope and soil—as a perfect example, Rutherford’s famous dust or Stags Leap District's tart cherry flavors.