It has been some time since I last put up a guide in regards to wines.  The biggest reason due to a dramatic reduction in the amount of wine I consume.  I still drink it, but not as much as before.  It has all been for the better.  When I have a wine, I notice I am more sensitive in picking up the aromas from glass as well as the flavors the wine has to offer.   I do plan on writing a little more again.

Today, Feb. 16th, we went to Napa on an uncommonly short but great break.   In our first stop, we stopped by CAYMUS and got some of their Special Select.  Unfortunately, due to limited amounts of this wine and a growing number of buyers; largely due to Robert Parker giving them great reviews in his last 2 California Wine editions.

My father started getting Caymus with the '97 vintage.  This was before Robert Parker started reviewing them and was more of a known wine amongst those whom were after some of the best.  Caymus produces a very cellar worthy wine, depending on the vintage, it is a wine that can cellar anywhere from 12 to 20+ years.  During Christmas we opened a bottle of Caymus 1998 Special Select and it was still tannic, but just excellent!!  It has plenty of life left in it to say the least. 

Many people in the know, had already known what a great wine Caymus produces long before the recent 96 point reviews Parker has given their 04 and 02 Special Selects.  It is a pricey wine, but it is well worth it.

Ok, getting back to the short Napa get away, we came across a great winery.  We had seen some reviews of it and finally made reservations to visit them, and we are sure glad we did.  The winery is Larkmead Vineyards.

Larkmead Vineyards, located in Calistoga is truly a gem.  One of Napa's historic wineries, dating back to the 1890s, it is easy to see why it is still going very strong.

Due to my being off from doing this review thing, I did not even really think about bringing a pen and paper to write my reviews.  Shame on me.  But trust me, I will be stopping by their again and giving some.

Let's put it this way, with Larkmead, every wine I tasted; I would give at LEAST 92 points or better point rating to.  That is how good they are.  Their 2004 LMV Salon is red that is easily worthy of a 95 point rating.  From what I remember in tasting it, its nose was of dark fruits, chocolate, leather and some earthiness.  Tastes of dark chocolate, herb and dark fruit. 

About their wines, they are much more Bordeaux like then the usual Napa fruit blasts.  They let the wine express the terroir, and it is truly magnificent.  Here is a hint for those interested.  They are a smaller winery, and they let me know that their membership will be closing at any time.  They have room for about 200 more members, and that is it.  After that they will be forming a waiting list. 

As I taste more wines from Napa, I am finding that my favorite region is becoming the Calistoga and upper St. Helena region as it is more common to find wines that are more Bordeaux-like in their style. 

And yes, I did mention a Cult Wine in my title.  For those of you who will have to wait 10 or more years to get into Harlan or Colgin or Screaming Eagle, here is something for you.  The new Cult Wine is Levy McClellan.  And yes, another Calistoga winery!

Levy McClellan is just starting, but don't worry, they more then have greatness to be maybe the ultimate California Cult wine.   Bob Levy is the wine maker for Harlan and his wife is the winemaker for Sloan Estate(another cult wine).  Levy has made multiple 100 point wines, and his wife has a 100 pointer to her name as well.

LM has already received high ratings, and what seperates them from other cult wines at this point is their production.  Their production of 400 or fewer cases is far fewer then, Harlan, Colgin, Bryant and even Screaming Eagle.

If you want to get into a cult wine, do not miss out on this chance here, as it has a chacne to be the most desired cult wine of all.  This is just my opinion, but I think the chances are there.  Act now before the long waiting list forms.