Ampersand Red Blend Napa Valley 2018

Truly, just the best of the best. When it comes to winemaking power couples, it doesn’t get much mightier than the forces of nature behind Levy & McClellan. Bob Levy and Martha McClellan have impressive winemaking résumés that include some of the world’s most extraordinary and sought-after wines. The brain trust, decades of experience, and the sheer number of vintages under their belt at the highest echelon of Napa Valley wineries are unparalleled. These are stratosphere wines- they loom above us mere mortals like Mount Olympus and are similarly eternal in terms of aging potential. With 250 cases made, when word begins to spread amongst collectors and aficionados of their estate Cabernet Sauvignon projects, the wine will be rendered impossible to procure to any new enthusiasts. 

Bob has been Bill Harlan's consulting winemaker for over two decades and has also been the Director of Winemaking at BOND and the Napa Valley Reserve, a private membership club. Bob’s wife and partner, Martha McClellan, makes beautiful wine for Sloan, Vineyard 7 & 8, and Checkerboard. Each of these wines represents the apotheosis of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Bob poured the two Levy & McClellan offerings for us earlier this week and shared their creative vision. They don't measure their wine by percentage points of Cab versus Merlot. Rather, they let their Franz Valley School Road property in Calistoga speak for itself. It is planted to about 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, with Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot rounding out the vineyards. From that array, they make the best possible blends each year.

Ampersand is Cabernet Sauvignon-driven but softened by the Merlot from the estate. Small touches of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc complete the blend. This youthful wine possesses a densely concentrated core of intense black fruit and cassis. Dark chocolate notes emerge while the palate is expressive and super juicy, with a lovely, sumptuous texture, building to a rich and mineral-driven core. There’s so much to enjoy already, but we can’t wait to follow its evolution. Reserved now, but there’s so much to come.