In my previous post, 10 Affordable Cult Wines You Should Taste, I highlighted Leviathan as a standout—my top recommendation, in fact.👍🏻 I shared with you that my cellar holds about 6-8 bottles of this enchanting wine, a stock I diligently replenish to ensure I never run out. Why? Because it’s absolutely worth it. Perfect for any occasion—whether as a delightful daily wine or for special celebrations.👏🏻 That’s precisely why I always keep that amount of bottles on hand.
This kind of devotion isn’t unique to just wine collectors. It extends to the visionaries behind the wines themselves. Take Andy Erickson, for example. Much like an artist who has shaped the identity of luxury brands and created several iconic works, when they establish their own brand, such as Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs, and others. They reveal a new layer of passion. In the wine industry, this translates into creating vintages that truly reflect their deepest wine-making desires.
Erickson, a name often mentioned among the finest American vintners, brings his personal vision to life through the exceptional wines he crafts. But what kind of wine does a visionary like Erickson produce? Now that we’ve revisited my personal connection to Leviathan, let’s delve into the story of him, the visionary behind this exceptional wine.🍷
Table of Contents
1. Leviathan Founder : Andy Erickson and Annie Favia
Andy Erickson is considered a maestro of cult wines in the United States. Since 1994, he has been active in Napa Valley, producing wines after graduating from UC Davis and working at Harlan Estate and Staglin Family Vineyard, famously leading the success of Screaming Eagle. He still consults for about ten wineries.
Andy Erickson and Annie Favia established Favia Wines in Coombsville in 2003. The two mentioned their excellent mentors they met in Napa Valley since the 1990s, including John Kongsgaard, Cathy Corison, and notable vineyard manager David Abreu. Annie Favia, who learned viticulture techniques while working with these mentors, emphasizes the importance of the interaction between people and nature and the importance of understanding what grapevines need.
With such philosophy, they spend long hours in the vineyards, focusing on producing wines using organic methods and minimal intervention to express terroir. Understanding Erickson’s prestigious background sets the stage perfectly to explore how Leviathan offers such remarkable value.
2. Leviathan: Value Oriented
In 2008, the San Francisco Chronicle ran an article headlined “The new cult wines: 10 wineries to watch.” Leviathan stood out as a surprising addition to a list that featured several higher-priced Cabernets. The article says: “It’s a chance to access the Screaming Eagle winemaker’s talents for under $50 – far less than most of his projects.”
Creating an affordable blend such as Leviathan involves considerable effort, which is a notable undertaking for a sought-after Napa consulting winemaker like Erickson, who typically engages in more straightforward, high-cost winemaking.
Erickson, in discussing his work, reveals that the slow periods of the year offer a unique opportunity to break away from the norm and start blending different varietals, a process he finds particularly enjoyable and distinctive from his other wine projects.
Leviathan itself originated from an experimental mix of leftover grapes, becoming a serendipitous success that allowed Erickson to explore winemaking beyond traditional vineyard-specific methods. With its affordability clearly established, we now turn to the innovative blending techniques that set this wine apart from the rest.
3. Beyond the Boundaries of Blending
Andy Erickson, known for his beyond the boundaries of blending projects, emphasized the importance of creating wines that transcend boundaries. The Leviathan project, which has spawned numerous 100-point wines and garnered acclaim from critics, embodies this ethos.
Introduced in 2004 with only 400 cases produced, its first vintage quickly sold out. Production increased slightly in 2005, but demand remained high. While initially considered Favia’s second wine due to experimenting with new blends after producing Favia wines, Leviathan quickly established itself as an independent red blend project, earning positive responses from the outset.
“I believe blending is the most aesthetic aspect of winemaking, which is why it’s my favorite process. I wanted to make great wines without boundaries of varietals or regions, and Leviathan is the result,” remarked Erickson.
The label of Leviathan, depicting a mystical creature( a legendary sea monster🐙 from the Bible) in golden hues against a black background, evokes a powerful impression, symbolizing life forms dwelling in the depths beyond our reach and capturing the mysterious essence of nature. Erickson also described this wine as ‘unpredictably massive.’
“Creating bold and intense wines in California isn’t difficult. What’s most important is balance. We focus on minimal intervention winemaking, prioritizing oxidation prevention and avoiding filtration or refinement to showcase the grape’s natural character,” he added.
He ventures across California, seeking grapes solely based on quality rather than specific regions, collaborating with various grape growers. Erickson searches for grapes to use in Leviathan based on diverse criteria, such as Cabernet Sauvignon from rocky soils and Merlot from cooler clay soils. He likened this process to a “safari expedition.” Naturally, the grape varieties and blending ratios vary from vintage to vintage.
For example, the 2021 vintage consisted of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 10% Petit Syrah, 6% Syrah, and 6% Petit Verdot, with 3% Cabernet Franc blended in. In contrast, the 2011 vintage was composed of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah, 13% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Merlot. Leviathan showcases more prominent red fruit flavors compared to Favia, along with notes of spices, minerals, and delicate tannins, leaving a smooth finish. It consistently receives scores of 90 points or higher from wine critics and publications.
“While I appreciate wines that showcase the individual character of a single vineyard, the wines I want to create through blending are ones that are immediately enjoyable when tasted. I hope to create wines that people will remember enjoying and easily choose again at restaurants or wine shops,” remarked Erickson.
Here is a quite interesting short movie 🎬(1 minute and 48 seconds) from their website, showing how they create Leviathan each year. You should take a look.😀
Andy Erickson’s red blend project, Leviathan, has been partnered with the Huneeus Family since 2017. Founded by Agustin Huneeus, who has cultivated Concha y Toro in Chile and subsequently produced outstanding premium wines in California, the Huneeus Family produces wines showcasing the characteristics of various regions in California, including Quintessa, Flowers, and Faust.
Having explored the unique crafting of Leviathan, let’s transition to my personal tasting experience, where the blend’s qualities vividly come to life.
4. Tasting Experience
As is my usual practice, I allowed the wine to breathe for two to three hours in my preferred Riedel Apple🍎 decanter before enjoying it. This decanter is my go-to for most red wines. Although the wait might be challenging for some, I find the reward—a wonderfully enhanced flavor and delightful experience—well worth it. For me, this ritual of tasting good wines is not a bother at all; I truly relish these moments. With the right tools set, I then turned my full attention to the wine itself.
Tasting Leviathan after Decanting
Today, I fully indulged in its distinct flavors, aromas and full body, savoring it solo without any accompanying food. This approach allowed me to entirely appreciate the wine’s complexities—a tantalizing, intense mix of fresh black berry and plum, beautifully intertwined with hints of cocoa powder and nutmeg.
As time passed, the wine’s profile deepened, revealing earthy notes of sage, cedar, and deep forest. With each sip, these layers gradually built a tapestry of taste that was both intricate and commanding, complemented by seamless velvety tannins and a great finish.
Lost in the moment, I slowly savored each sip, admiring the label’s depiction of Leviathan—a mystical creature rendered in golden hues against a black background. As I did, I marveled at the unfolding depth and character of the wine.
Before I knew it, I had finished the entire bottle by myself. 🤣 It was a remarkable experience —one that not only showcased the wine’s robust profile but also highlighted the serene joy of experiencing such a masterful blend in its purest form.
5. Explore More Vintages of Leviathan
For those interested in exploring further, the 2019 vintage of this wine, available on ‘wine.com’, has received higher praise and better critics’ ratings than many other vintages. If you’re curious to compare, or just want to see what else this esteemed label has to offer, visiting the site might provide some delightful insights and options for your next tasting adventure.
95 James Suckling / 93 Jeb Dunnuck / 91 Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate