The 2013 Firebelle Proprietary Red is a blend of 76% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. This wine shows loads of roasted espresso notes mixed with white chocolate, plum, black cherry and currant. The wine is ripe, opulent, full-bodied and a very sexy, lush example of 2013 to drink over the next 15 or more years.This famous, historic estate, highly renowned in the late 1800s, sits to the north of St. Helena and to the south of Calistoga. It is a valley-floor vineyard of 110 acres that has been divided into a hierarchy of quality. The lineup of wines for now remains the same. They have had an incredible run of great successes at Larkmead, with the 2013s easily the match for the impressive 2012s.94 points from Robert Parker, The Wine AdvocateWinery Notes: Calistoga has been famous for its Merlot production (Three Palms Vineyard); and Larkmead is well suited to continue the conversation that world class Merlot can be produced and bottled in Napa Valley. Historically a multi-variety blend, this wine has accentuated the soft, plush texture and flavor of Merlot, but highlighted the overall structure of Bordeaux varieties. Our Merlot at Larkmead, planted on rich loam soils full of clay and gravel produces Merlot that tastes like Merlot but acts like Cabernet. It is our goal to allow this wine to express its density, weight and power while maintaining its attractive aroma and flavor profiles.
