Larkmead Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley The Lark 2014

98 points International Wine Report: "[$360 list] The 2014 'The Lark' is an utterly brilliant wine from Larkmead. Composed of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon this immediately begins to impress as striking aromas of ripe blackcurrants and blackberries are joined together with spring floral blossoms, graphite, roasted coffee, herbs and wet gravel which are simply exhilarating. On the palate this beautifully balanced and structured, with a medium to full body, backed by a gorgeous polished tannins, which beautifully wrap the ripe core of fresh dark fruits that expand gracefully through the wine. Displaying remarkable depth, concentration and precision, from start to finish, this is clearly one of the most captivating wines from the vintage. Larkmead and winemaker Dan Petroski have crafted a absolutely stunning bottle of Cabernet, which is both classy and sophisticated, and will have a simply marvelous future ahead. Drink: 2023-2044. (May 2019)"

96+ points Robert Parker: "[$360 list] Their very small cuvée of 263 cases, the 100% Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 The Lark exhibits plenty of sweet chocolate, roasted espresso, blackberry, cassis and white flowers and a long, dense, multi-layered mouthfeel that builds incrementally to a fabulous finish of close to a minute. The alcohol is 14.7% and the wine was aged 20 months in 80% new French oak prior to bottling. This is a stunner and a modern-day classic from Larkmead. Drink it over the next 25-30 years. Drink: 2016-2046. (Oct 2016)"

96 points Wine Spectator: "Though this shows maturity, as the structure is starting to give way, there's still a plump youthfulness to its juicy boysenberry, açaí and cherry fruit flavors. Violet, anise and black tea notes help fuel the finish, which offers a dusting of earth amid its general silkiness. -- Blind 2014 California Cabernet retrospective (June 2024). Drink now through 2038. 263 cases made. (9/19/24)"

95 points James Suckling: "Complex aromas of berries, pine needles and flowers with some hot-stone character. It’s medium-to full-bodied with layers of medium-chewy tannins that melt into the wine at the end. Drink after 2025. (1/27/22)"

95 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous):"The 2019 Solari is powerful and intensely savory in the glass. Dark and explosive, the 2019 is packed with wild cherry, cedar, leather, tobacco, menthol and incense. There's a ton of depth, but the 2019 has never lost the slightly awkward character it showed from bottle. Time brings out the strong savory, earthy inflections that are typical of Larkmead. This is an especially somber wine. Drink: 2024-2034. (Feb 2023)"

95 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "Deep garnet in color with a touch of brick, the 2014 The Lark comes bounding out with eager-to-please scents of plum pudding and boysenberry preserves, leading to suggestions of cigar box, rusty nails, tree bark, and dried bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is tightly wound with great tension and firm grainy tannins, finishing with loads of energy and freshness. Alcohol 14.5%. Drink: 2024-2035. (10/10/24)"

Producer notes: "[$345 list] 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. 263 cases produced."