2017 Larkmead Vineyards The Lark
2017 Larkmead Vineyards The Lark Plenty of blueberries, blackberries and currant bush. Yet, it’s always subtle. Full-to medium-bodied with very velvety tannins that are so polished and refined. Lovely flavors at the end. Needs two or three years to open.
“Nearly 300 feet of ancient riverbed gravel lies directly beneath the alluvial topsoil of Larkmead Vineyards. This well-drained environment provides our Napa Valley floor location a rare character typically found only at unique hillside sites. Our average temperatures tend to be similar to Oakville – cooler than St. Helena and northern Calistoga – due to the morning and afternoon fog rolling into the valley through the Chalk Hill Gap in Knights Valley. It is this unique microclimate that gives our Larkmead wines their distinctive minerality and concentration.
The Larkmead Estate is made up of three contiguous vineyard parcels at one of the narrowest points in Napa Valley. The vineyard spans almost the entire breadth of the valley floor from Highway 29 to Silverado Trail with the Napa River dissecting it in half. From the winemaking perspective, it offers tremendous diversity in the soils due to centuries of alluvial flow. Today, the vineyard’s three block contain four primary soil types: sand, silt, clay and gravel. It is this broad range of growing conditions that brings distinct terroir to our wines.
Our 150 acre historic estate is under the masterful care of Vineyard Manager Nabor Camarena and Consulting Viticulturist Kelly Maher. Their shared passion and philosophy of balance and holistic farming have allowed our unique and diverse vineyard site to perform to its true potential.”