Get a Taste of Larkmead Vineyards


             New to the Destin Charity Wine Auction family of winemakers this year is Larkmead Vineyards. Located in Napa Valley, the 150 acre historic estate practices holistic farming and exhibits a passion for balance.  Setting Larkmead apart, is it’s unique microclimate that provides a distinct minerality and concentration for their wines. The alluvial topsoil of the Vineyard lies on top of 300 feet of ancient riverbed gravel. The Vineyard’s three block contain sand, silt, clay and gravel, which all provide diverse growing conditions and in turn, distinct terroir to the Larkmead wines.  
           Larkmead Vineyards dates back to the late 1800’s. The Solari family has been part of the estate since 1948, with current proprietors Kate Solari Baker and Cam Baker. Dallas Brennan, the Director of Sales and Sommelier for Larkmead Vineyards will be proudly representing the Vineyard for the 10th Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction. 
      With so many of us currently enjoying our collections of Cabernet Sauvignon, we invite you to swirl your glass, take a sniff, and expose your taste buds to Larkmead Vineyards’ Cabernet Sauvignon (if you're lucky enough to find some). Composed of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, and aged for 18 months in 54% new French oak barrels, it is “classic and concentrated”. If you have your hands on a bottle of 2012, feel free to let it age. According to Robert Parker of  Wine Advocate, “It should age nicely for 20-25 years.” He also gave it 92-95 points, and reviewed it “A dead-ringer for a first or second growth Pauillac. Aromas of spring flowers, creme de cassis, licorice, cedarwood and lead pencil shavings are followed by a wine with wonderful sweet fruit...even though the wine is totally dry. A superb texture, stunning purity and a full-bodied, blockbuster finish…” (~ Robert Parker, (92-95) points, Wine Advocate, 10-31-13, Issue 209)
      Attending our 10th Annual Auction along with Larkmead Vineyards, is Celebrity Chef Robert Harris. Robert Harris is owner and chef of The Table in Cambridge, MA. Known for their farm to table, and locally and seasonally-driven cuisine, you can see just how passionate Robert and his team are about flavor and ingredients. We think he will feel right at home here in Destin after wathcing Robert and a team of divers hunt lobster, sea urchins, fish and scallops for a dinner they do annually. Check out the video on their website

To experience the unique flavor pairings of this talented chef and this highly allocated wine, be sure to purchase your patron package quickly, and select their Patron Dinner, graciously hosted by Glenn and Dana Armentor. CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS
           
     Visit Larkmead Vineyard's Website

 

By: Jordan Lacenski

Published on Tuesday, January 6, 2015