Levy & McClellan Ampersand 2012

The 2012 Ampersand is dark, voluptuous and juicy. Raspberry jam, spice, new leather and rose petal flesh out effortlessly. Super-classy, polished and refined, the 2012 is a great example of the vintage. The bold, dramatic style will appeal most to readers who appreciate opulent, racy Cabernets.

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.