The 2013 Proprietary Red LMV Salon, which is a proprietary red of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon and 26% Cabernet Franc, is stunning. The Cabernet Franc seems to give this wine a tremendous fragrance, as the opaque purple color offers notes of cedar wood, underbrush, forest floor and spring flowers along with creme de cassis and black cherries. 97 points from Robert Parker, The Wine AdvocateWinery Notes: One of the parents of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc has historically played a supporting role in our LMV Salon. Cabernet Franc is a noble variety that has an uneven (qualitative and stylistic) history in Napa Valley. Here at Larkmead, we have seen success in planting Cabernet Franc in heavier, richer soils and look forward to the stylistic variances we will see with a new planting of Cabernet Franc on Cortina soils. As we move forward, the goal is to allow this wine to differentiate itself by including a higher percentage of Cabernet Franc (up to 70%). Our goal is to elevate the varietys complimentary characteristics (spice, herb) to Cabernet Sauvignon and produce a wine that exalts the complexity of the Estate.
