Leviathan Red Blend 2022
(Napa Valley, California) - [WA 92]
Regular price $45.00 Sale price $34.97 Save $10.03
About the Winery:
Winemaker Andy Erickson has been producing wines with an unrelenting focus on quality and sourcing for over 30 years, crafting some of the most sought-after bottles in Napa Valley. In 2004, he started Leviathan with a single goal: to create one Cabernet-based blend each vintage that would be free from the constraints of appellations, drawing on the strengths of multiple sites throughout the state to capture the beauty and diversity of Northern California.
Since the beginning, this exploratory spirit has fueled our vision to literally chart our own map, pushing beyond AVAs and other conventional winemaking boundaries. Each vintage, the Leviathan team coaxes the very best characteristics from a range of carefully chosen varietals and outstanding vineyards to craft a single intense, complex, and compelling red wine. And with a decade of 90-plus ratings from top critics, it’s one that—whether poured as an everyday wine or reserved for special occasions—consistently overdelivers. That’s the power of Leviathan.
Making wine without constraints means opening the imagination to the diversity of California’s terroir. But power in a red wine derives in part from hardworking vines, and this characteristic can be found particularly in slope-side vineyards with volcanic-based, well-drained soils—which are found in abundance along the Mayacamas Mountains.
Working alongside Andy Erickson, Nicole Hayden—our director of grower relations, who brings decades of farming and vineyard experience from her Sonoma upbringing—has logged thousands of miles in her truck to build and deepen our relationships with prestigious vineyards, renowned generational growers, and emerging young farmers across Northern California. Together they’ve walked countless rows, meeting spouses and dogs and swapping ideas and observations, learning what makes each site tick.
This ongoing collaboration with our growers allows us to fully express the best characteristics and potential of each distinctive site. While our drive to keep exploring new ideas and places evolves our sourcing each year, our core partners have remained our stalwarts for years.
The 2022 proprietary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot highlight some of my favorite growing regions in Northern California, including Oakville, Coombsville, Pope Valley, Lake County, and Napa Valley.
92 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
Surprisingly, the 2022 Leviathan Red Wine may outshine the 2021 vintage. A blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petite Sirah, 6% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Syrah and 2% Petit Verdot, it's loaded with black cherries and cassis. It's a big, full-bodied and crowd-pleasing red wine that proves you don't need to have residual sugar or use Mega Purple to fill this niche. Velvety textured, fruit forward and long on the finish, it's a fun, easy-drinking wine at a regular-person price.
91 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
The 2022 Red Wine comes from a mix of Napa, Sonoma, Lake County, and is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petite Sirah, 6% Merlot, 3% Syrah, 3% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot. Red and black fruits, leafy herbs, cedarwood, and truffly earth notes all emerge on the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied, has a pure, layered, elegant mouthfeel, solid balance, and outstanding length.
90 Points - Vinous:
The 2022 Leviathan is soft, fruity and very easy to like. Crushed flowers, sweet red berry fruit and mint open in the glass. The 2022 is a bit lighter than most recent years, a reflection of the growing season, but that just adds to its appeal and drinkability. Floral and spice notes emerge on the finish. This is very strong for the year.