2018 Larkmead Vineyards Firebelle Red Wine Napa Valley 750 ml

There’s a sweet spot of Napa Valley terroir around Larkmead Lane in Calistoga, where the warmth of the up-valley sun and the magical loamy soils help produce several of Napa Valley’s must-have Merlots. These are wines that show the lofty heights the grape can achieve—wines that every lover of Napa Valley reds should experience. 

Duckhorn’s Three Palms Vineyard, which took home Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year award, is the most famous example. Hourglass’s Blueline bottling is another star. But for our money, you can’t top Larkmead’s Firebelle bottling—and the 2018, crafted by SF Chronicle 2017 Winemaker of the Year Dan Petroski and boasting a stunning 96-point score, is a masterpiece. 

Drawn off the 127-year old Larkmead property in Calistoga, this is an iconic Napa Valley Merlot—one of the last that Dan, who departed Larkmead in 2021, made for the venerable winery. 

Just seeing Firebelle on the tasting table caused a stir among our wine team, and taking in the first aromatics reminded us of the balance of “vintage and vineyard” that makes Larkmead wines true classics. The picture-perfect 2018 growing season shows beautifully in the wine’s notes of black raspberry, cassis, cocoa, clove, tobacco, and violets. The richness and power remind us of something they say at the winery: The gravitas of Larkmead Merlot can occasionally be mistaken for Cabernet Sauvignon.

In the 2018 season, Dan and the Larkmead team absolutely nailed Firebelle, putting out the most captivating bottling of this wine since the incredible 2013—and since Dan recently stepped down as Larkmead’s winemaker, this one is extra special.