2006 Checkerboard Vineyards Red

The 2006, the debut vintage under this label, is surprisingly soft and chocolatey, with notes of espresso roast and black currants, in an opulent, fleshy style meant to be drunk over the next 10-15 years. It is seductive and endearing already. Well-known winemaking consultant Martha McClellan (the wife of Bob Levy of Harlan Estate and Bond, but also, on her own merit, the winemaker at Sloan and Blankiet) has this small project in the west hillsides near St. Helena. Fax (707) 942-8512