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Uutiset
90-93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The attractive, lighter-styled 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon offers up hints of red and black fruits, licorice, forest floor and underbrush. It is not herbaceous, but it has nowhere near the weight, richness, staying power or length of the 2009 or 2010. This should turn out to be an attractive 2011 to enjoy over the next 10-12 years. This is the personal project of Napa Valley’s famous wine consultants Bob Levy (long the “main man” at Harlan Estate and Bond) and his wife, Martha McClellan (who has provided expertise to a number of brilliant start-up wineries). They produce this cuvee from the hillsides of northern Napa Valley. (RP) (10/2013)
93-95 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Bright ruby-red. Black fruits, licorice and mocha on the nose. Dense, sweet and deep, showing compelling energy and early harmony to the dark fruit and floral flavors. At once primary and pliant owing to its layered texture. The rich, thoroughly ripe tannins dust the front teeth on the very long back end. Levy and McClellan ferment this wine entirely in barrel (most of it Taransaud oak) to build its middle palate and soften its naturally strong tannins. The wine is typically low in acidity due to the high level of potassium in this volcanic soil but this 2012 comes across as bright. Outstanding potential here. (ST) (5/2014)
93 points Vinous
The 2011 Red Wine is bright, focused and beautifully layered. Hints of rose petal, mint, sweet herb and red berries lift from the glass, all supported by lovely veins of underlying salinity. Because of the challenging growing season the 2011 is naturally a bit lithe and medium in body, especially when compared to the norm here, but it is quite pretty just the same. (AG) (12/2014)
Viinin Kuvailu
The Story
Levy & McClellan is the product of the Robert Levy and Martha McClellan, husband and wife team, who after years of practicing the skills of their shared passion for winemaking at other well known estates, united their individual experiences to an independent endeavor of their own.
The philosophy for LEVY & McCLELLAN is based on the same exciting standards and unyielding dedication that marks all of the wines they make. The grapes come from their family owned vineyards nestled in the western foothill of Napa Valley. Presently in its thirteenth season, the meticulous detail employed in the selection of the site, the planting and the Viticulture care, gives testament to their commitment as stewards of the land and to capturing and expressing to the fullest, the character and essence of this unique and diverse vineyard.
Robert Levy, the founding winemaker and director of vineyards for HARLAN ESTATE, Napa Valley California, has been there since it’s inception, 26 years ago. His scope of talents now include both BOND Estates and The NAPA VALLEY RESERVE, where he oversees the production of wines from some of the greatest vineyard sites in Napa Valley.
Martha McClellan worked making wines at Harlan Estate 1995 through 200. In 2001, she took over the winemaking and vineyard direction at SLOAN ESTATE, an esteemed Napa Valley winery and vineyards located in the hill of Rutherford, where she continues to make the wines today. In 2006, she added CHECKERBOARD Vineyards to her portfolio and began making the wine for this hillside, estate property. First planted in 1999 to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Verdot, the premier launch celebrated the 2007 vintage.
Wine Information
For the second year in a row we had a solid wet winter and the rains continued into spring and in fact we had a bit of rain even as late as June. Bud beak, however, was normal, with most buds out by the end of the first week of April. With a cooler than normal spring and continued occasional moisture, the time from budbreak to bloom was longer than normal, averaging about 68 days (where normal runs closer to 50 days) reaching full bloom the first week of June. The trend for the season continued, as cooler weather prevailed and the time between Bloom and Veraison averaged about 82 days, putting veraison at the end of August. The one constant, even as summer weather stayed mild, with few days over 90 and most hovering between the high 70’s and 90 degrees.
The typical phenological stages all took extended times from onset to completion, allowing for amazingly uniform and consistent ripening to occur. At times we find ourselves with only 175 to 185 days from budbreak to bloom, however, in 2011, we enjoyed the rare luxury of well over 200 days of growing season. It is for this reason we reflect back on what some consider to be a cool growing year, but we refer to as a blessing in the ability to achieve incredible ripeness at slightly lower brix levels with unbelievable development of flavor, color, seed maturity and supple skin tannins- velvety and plush. When we look at the challenges associated with getting ripe mature tannins in warm years and compare that with the accomplishments of 2011, we begin to understand the focus of our colleagues who grow Bordeaux varieties regularly in cooler growing conditions than our norm. It seems that we both strive for a similar end point- in other words, ripe flavors and ripe tannins that are soft rather than not harsh and drying.
We typically approach that middle point from opposite ends of the spectrum, however in recent years we each have had the ability to appreciate the focus and efforts needed to reach that goal from both those extremes- from warm years and from cool years. Through extended efforts at each step of the way- in our viticultural practices- from more shoot positioning and leaf removal to allow reception of more sunlight, to extensive thinning, (even though the crop level was already lower than average), to more critical selection at the time of blending- we are proud of the results and proud to present the 2011 wines to you. We feel the wines from 2011 are extremely exciting- they show an energy and vibrancy not seen in warmer years, and share a balanced maturity with a plush and supple finish.
