Levy & McClellan Ampersand Napa Valley Red Bland

Levy & McClellan

Levy & McClellan was established in the late 1990s by Napa Valley winemakers Bob Levy and Martha McClellan, a couple with luminous resumes as winemakers for some of the area’s most storied producers. Levy has been winemaker for Harlan and Bond, among other estates. Martha has been a winemaker at Harlan, Sloan Estates and elsewhere. The couple started their St. Helena winery to make their own estate wines, and with their first release, the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, their wines have jointed the ranks of California cult wines. Wine Spectator rated the 2004 at 95 pts and described it as a wine that “combines power with finesse.” The very limited production wines are generally available only by mailing list.

Testing Nose.

It boasts an inky/purple color along with notes of crème de cassis, blackberries, subtle barbecue smoke and graphite. Full-bodied with sweet tannin and the vintage hallmarks of lusciousness, extravagant richness and depth without being heavy or tiring, this fabulous effort is one of the more drinkable wines from Levy & McClellan to date.