The vibrant color of this wine is almost startling, and the clarity of the dark, black-violet liquid draws the eye toward the glass. Aromatically, the wine is vigorous, with layers of bramble fruit, and cola giving way to scents of forest floor, wet pine, graphite, and macerated blackberries. The wine enters the palate effortlessly. At its core are juicy red and black cherry fruits as well as that typical Larkmead trace of bittersweet chocolate. The tannins are sweet and dusty, and coat the mouth on all sides. This is an incredible wine for the vintage; while many 2015s are fruit-forward and simple, the Larkmead Cabernet Sauvignon offers bright, fresh flavors, medium weight, and a long, savory finish that demands a second sip.

We’re not supposed to pick favorites, but if we had to choose one wine to drink now and drink often, it would be our 2015 Cabernet. That said, while the wine possesses the immediate balance required for youthful drinking, it also has the backbone to hide out in your cellar for 10 years before opening. Those who exercise restraint will be rewarded as this wine reminds us a great deal of our 2007 Cabernet, which was a star in the vertical tasting we held in the summer of 2017.