2008 Larkin - Port Napa Dessert Wine (500ml)

Sean Larkin grew up in Inverkeithing, Scotland, before emigrating to the United States at nineteen and building a career as a sheet metal worker in New Jersey. His interest in wine deepened into work as a sommelier and eventually a Napa Valley wine broker, where he learned winemaking from friends in the trade. He founded Larkin Wines in 1999, focusing first on Cabernet Franc, a variety he felt California had long overlooked.

This dessert wine is a rare side project for Larkin, made in a true vintage-port style from a tiny amount of estate fruit and fortified to concentrate its richness. Only four barrels were produced in 2008, making it one of the smallest releases to ever carry the Larkin name. It was aged slowly in barrel before being bottled in 500ml format, sized for sharing in smaller pours.

This dessert wine pours a deep, brooding red typical of classic port style, showing rich dark fruit, cocoa, and warm baking spice layered over a fortified backbone. The palate stays sweet but structured, with a long, warming finish. Pour it with dark chocolate cake, aged blue cheese, or dried figs and walnuts.