Larkmead, Proprietary Red, Napa Valley

One hour decant in glass. Inky, opaque dark purple with dark purplish-pink edge in color. Somewhat muted nose (it continued to open over the course of the meal) of brambleberry, damson plum, espresso and alcoholic heat. On the palate: brambleberry compote and five spice powder. Grainy tannins are perceivable on cheeks and gums--well integrated, but feel more prominent due to the alcoholic heat. Medium to long finish of brambleberries and wood spice. As noted by other commenters, the alcoholic heat …

Tough to even find /impossible this blend in my area Great search hereafter Wife and I really enjoyed

Been a while since I opened one of these bottles. Much improved — still a lot of heat but better balance in the blend.

Pungent nose of dark fruit and violets leading into huckleberry jam, black currant and glints of gravel on the palate. Tertiary flavors of anise, warm spice and black tar. Still needed ~1 hour in the glass to open up, but did not develop much over the next night, so I would say this is in the prime drinking window. Its very extracted with a long finish--truly a lovely wine, but is just missing magic. Best way I can explain is …

A bit earthy. Better after a few days.

Don't have much to add to the other reviews... comments and rating seem about right to me. Good stuff.

Ruby red edge, dark garnet core. Aromas of dark berry fruit, cassis, cherry, vanilla From French oak, and a touch of heat. Silky in the mouth, medium bodied with fully resolved tannins and low to medium acidity. This is well polished and balanced if you’re looking for something fruit forward and approachable. Drink now and over the next 5 years.

A brambly and earthy Malbec and Cabernet blend that needs another year or two in order to come into its own. Purple in color, medium in body, nose of boysenberry, cedar, and olive. Tastes of tart cherry, mountain blueberry, graphite, pepper, gravel, with a prickly and tannic finish. 14.8% alcohol. This has more tartness and spiciness, with a little less depth, than Larkmead's other offerings (though this could easily be a function of youth). A decent wine that would be …

Drank over two days. A bit closed upfront on day 1, but had an interesting smokey, briney finish. On day two the fruit showed upfront with the same finish. Nice balance and depth.

After the tasting I was looking over the list of things to purchased and inquired about this wine, which we did not taste. It was clearly the seconds of the reds, which I often find to be the best deal at most wineries. Our tasting room server happily opened a bottle for us to taste. The wife was partial to the merlot based Firebelle but this blend of merlot and malbec actually worked better for her. Two bottles acquired. Opening …

Very young. Shows lots of promise. I expect these to be drinking in the low 90's in 3-5 years. Plan on a long decant for now.