2020 Leviathan California Red
2020 Leviathan California Very pure fruit this year with ripe raspberries and fresh currants throughout. Full-to medium-bodied with soft, polished tannins and bright, clean fruit. It’s really balanced and the finish and makes you want to drink it. Subtle and vivid fruit at the end. Yet, it can improve with age. Blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot and petite verdot. Drink or hold.
An intense mix of fresh boysenberry, black cherry and plum jump from the glass with cocoa powder, allspice and nutmeg. Its earthy elements of our rocky northern California hillsides include Bay Laurel, sage, cedar, dry earth which speak to its origins. Supple and balanced tannins of this rich wine lead to a long savory finish with hints of graphite and star anise. It is approachable now and built to cellar.
We have just received an allocation of the 2020 vintage of this spectacular red. At its price point, this is one of the most complete red wines I have ever tasted from California. The 2020 Leviathan is pound for pound one of the greatest California red wines there is. Leviathan is the project of Andy Erickson’s of Screaming Eagle ($2000 plus a bottle) and Dalla Valle ($250 plus a bottle) fame. Cabernet lovers know how hard it is to find a great bottle of Cabernet for less than $50. This is that wine. Erickson took over from wine-making legend Heidi Barret at Screaming Eagle, no small task. Erickson who works under greats like Paul Hobbs, John Kongsgaard and Michel Rolland. He was winemaker for the mighty Harlan and Staglin. He is definitely an American winemaking treasure. Leviathan is a pet project for Erickson that allows him to express himself creatively through blending different grapes and vineyard sources. Andy is tight lipped about his fruit sources but based on the vineyards he has worked with, assumptions can be made. Leviathan is a rich, full wine with vibrant texture. Its complex flavors are derived from a unique blend which highlights the best of California — carefully fine-tuned each vintage to create a bold, rich, enticing wine. The wine got a huge 95pts and has been on Wine Spectator’s Top 100. For a short time we have the wine down to $29.99 which is a whopping 40% Savings. Open a bottle and you will not believe how good this is for the money. This wine is a rare breed, serious quality made by serious people at a reasonable price. I strongly recommend. Get your wines delivered.