Larkmead Solari Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Professional Ratings

• 99 Jeb Dunnuck
  From clay soils, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Solari is borderline perfection and reminds me of a young Montrose with its deep cassis and currant fruit, graphite and lead pencil nuances, full-bodied richness, and a powerful, yet opulent personality. This is a gorgeous wine that is certainly approachable today given its purity and balance, yet needs a decade to hit prime time and is going to keep for 2-3 decades.
• 97 Wine Enthusiast
  This is 100% varietal and packed in flavor and body. Low yields make for a densely rich and concentrated experience on the palate—an intense, slightly reduced tangle of chocolate, caramel and dusty compressed black fruit. Earthy, it flaunts crushed rock, gravel and graphite elements, with a streak of fresh acidity on the finish. Enjoy best 2025–2030.
  Cellar Selection
• 97 James Suckling
  So much tile and black-tea character on the nose with bark undertones. Full body and finely layered tannins. Focused and bright. A gorgeous finish. This is all about natural beauty. Smooth and intense power. Drink or hold.
• 93 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Solari displays an opaque purple-black color with an intense mocha, baked blackcurrants and stewed plums nose plus hints of sautéed herbs, underbrush and tapenade. Full-bodied, concentrated and very firm in the mouth, it offers great ripeness and plenty of power but is just a little chewy and lacking that next-level finesse.
  Rating: 93+
• 91 Wine Spectator
  Intense and well-centered on dark berry, black cherry, anise, cedar and crushed rock flavors, this sails along until the graceful tannins weigh in on the finish, bringing this to an abrupt halt. Drink now through 2029.
• 90 Decanter
  Inviting, savoury nose, a medley of grilled plums and cherries with toasty, creamy oak. Succulent and juicy, charming with a long, peppery finish.