Library Wines
2002 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Solari Reserve
This wonderful wine was named for our family that has been steward of this special vineyard property since the 1940s. It is one of our finest wine so far produced from the Larkmead vines.
Winemaker Notes
100% Estate grown fruit at Larkmead Vineyards
100% Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines
Aged in 75% new French oak barrels for 20 months
336 cases produced
"Our second Solari Reserve bottling is a natural successor to the acclaimed 2001 debut, adding an additional layer of intensity and structure to our wonderful 2002 Estate Cabernet blend. The product of a near-perfect growing season, we can see the pedigree of the Estate's oldest vines in the wine's balance of richness, power and length.
A dense purple color precedes soaring aromatics of pure cassis, graphite and Asian spice. The wine's striking purity of ripe fruit is immediately apparent on the palate, with flavors of black raspberry liqueur and cr¸me de cassis, supported by complex notes of dark licorice and bitter chocolate. The wine's multi-layered texture and dense, sweet tannin profile glide across the mid-palate creating a sense of seamless integration of all components.
Decant for an hour in its youth to experience the wine's full range of flavors. This large-scaled wine will further concentrate for 5 years in bottle and hold for a decade."
Andy Smith - Winemaker
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate 95 POINTS
"The spectacular 2002 Larkmead Cabernet Solari Reserve boasts a Mouton Rothschild-like bouquet of black currants, licorice, tobacco smoke, plums and flowers. With a deep purple color, great richness as well as intensity, fine structure, plenty of sweet tannin, and well-integrated acidity and wood, it should be at its finest between now and 2012."