A Gift Comes Back

So...I was invited to an acquaintance's house this weekend for an after-ride barbecue. Years ago, he had loaned me a bicycle crank and I had given him a bottle of 2007 Larkmead Napa Valley Cabernet.
He opened the bottle Sunday, and it was quite lovely. In a richer and bigger style than I might normally prefer, but the bottle age had mellowed the wine very nicely....earthy and rich plum and cassis fruit. Delicious. Thanks, Steve!

Sunday, after another bicycle ride, had a glass of tart, funky delicious Copain P2 (Pinot Noire and Gris!). To be honest, I found it more enjoyable than the 15.1% abv Sherwin Family Spring Mountain Cab at 4x the price I also sampled!

Brian, I purchased three bottles of that same Larkmead and have consumed two. I liked it so well that on CellarTracker I gave it a rating of 92 points in 2011 and 93 points in 2013. In 2011 I found red fruits and red licorice and in 2013 more dark fruits and chocolate. Quite approachable and delicious both times. Sounds like you were finding the dark fruits also. I will probably hold my final bottle until 2017 to see what it reveals at the decade mark.