2009 Levy & McClellan Red
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Tasting notes
The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is a broodingly big, muscular, backward red offering hints of wet pebbles, scorched earth, sweet black currants, blackberries, cassis, loamy soil, underbrush and foresty notes. Muscular, dense and tannic, it is meant for those with considerable patience as it will require 4-5 years in the cellar. It should last for three decades. 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. Tel. (707) 963-1282
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Levy and McClellan's 2009 Red Wine is a dark, sumptuous beauty. Mocha, espresso, black plums and menthol wrap around the palate in this rich, totally seductive wine. With some time in bottle, the 2009 is beginning to show its creamy, silky texture, while the oak is also integrating nicely. Darker notes of tar, smoke and black currants flesh out on the enveloping finish. A dollop of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot adds complexity.
(bottled two weeks before my tasting): Impressive deep ruby color. Blackberry, licorice and minerals on the nose, sexed up by Taransaud mocha and dark chocolate. Suave, pliant and vibrant, with the wine's strong minerality currently enjoying the upper hand over its sweet blackberry and blackcurrant fruit. A bit muted today by the recent bottling, but the lush tannins and lively ripe finish suggest that this wine will evolve beautifully.
The 2009 Red Wine Napa Valley emerges from the glass with layers of dark fruit, smoke, licorice, mocha and tar. The finessed, silky tannins that are so typical of this vintage are present, yet the wine retains plenty of size and depth. Layers of fruit build effortlessly to the deep, sumptuous finish. Today the 2009 comes across as quite young, but this is a strong showing. The 2009 is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot.