Tag: Larkmead Vineyards

Napa Valley Tasting Round-Up

February 2013 “Best of the Best” Wineries

With our first Napa Valley visit of the year now in the books, I wanted to share a quick recap on just some of the incredible wine, food and Living Napa Cabulousexperiences. We were thrilled to benefit from sunny, 70-degree temperatures, which are pretty unusual for wine country during this time of year. The stunning, mustard yellow vineyards were even more beautiful than I remember.

We stayed at the lovely Solage Calistoga resort, which allowed for much-needed relaxation. I was even able to keep up with my Spinning classes at their indoor/outdoor fitness facility and will likely never get enough of their one-of-a-kind pool area or Solbar restaurant.

During the daytime, we filled our itinerary with a great mix of new and favorite wineries.

By the Numbers

Days in Napa Valley: 6

Miles driven in the Valley: 309

Wineries visited: 22

Wines tried during tastings: 125 (not including wine ordered at dinner)

Oysters ordered: 48

Orders of bread pudding for dessert: 3

Pounds gained: TBD

Best of the Best: Wineries

We had so many great tastings, but five wineries jumped out as the “Best of the Best” this visit for their overall experience and top-to-bottom offering of solid, high-quality wine. For those considering a trip to Napa Valley, I would certainly recommend these stops:

Continue reading Napa Valley Tasting Round-Up

Wine Wednesday Pour: Larkmead Red Wine (2010)

A Review of One of Larkmead Vineyards’ Newest Releases

Aside from offering one of the best and most scenic tasting experiences in Napa Valley, Larkmead Vineyards produces a spectacular line-up of Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet and Bordeaux-style blends. Over the years, we’ve struggled to hold onto our bottles of Cabernet, Firebelle, LMV Salon and Solari, instead opting to consume them shortly after purchase. With a history dating back to the late 1800’s, the team at Larkmead prides themselves on being farmers-first; this dedication to the care of their vineyards and grapes shines through in their wines. Larkmeads’ vineyards are located in Calistoga, one of Napa Valley’s newest AVA’s, which defines its distinctive flavors and velvety mouthfeel. Theirs are wines that make you sip and take notice because they’re so bold and intricately laced with complex layers of aromas, flavors and textures. With this consistent quality, it’s no surprise that Larkmead wines are harder and harder to come by. This is why we were so thrilled to learn about the 2010 Larkmead Red Wine. Continue reading Wine Wednesday Pour: Larkmead Red Wine (2010)