Highly allocated!
96-Points by Kevin Vogt ~ Master Sommelier.
The 2021 Checkerboard Impetuous Red Blend offers a brooding, rich nose of powerful blue and black fruits—blackberry and blueberry stand out—layered with notes of French lavender, iron, and a touch of vanilla from well-integrated oak. The palate is opulent yet focused, with concentrated blackberries, black cherry, and red currants driving a deep, penetrating core. Balanced acidity keeps it lively, while velvety tannins provide structure. The finish is long and seamless, with a luscious quality that lingers. A polished, high-quality wine, it’s delicious now, but built for 10-12 years of development.
 
If we sometimes refer to a small, estate winery or vineyard as a jewel box, then the Diamond Mountain District in the Napa Valley is a treasure trove! This region of volcanic soils comprises just 500 planted acres, all above 400 feet in elevation, that span the fog-crested Mayacamas Mountains between St. Helena and Calistoga. The established wineries here are few, but they are among Napa’s most prestigious, among them: Diamond Creek, Constant-Diamond, The Vineyardist, and Checkerboard.
Checkerboard Vineyards is located on the southeastern slopes of Diamond Mountain at the northern end of the Napa Valley, farmed by Jim Barbour and handcrafted by Martha McClellan (Levy & McClellan, Sloan, Vineyard 7&8, Hamel, and formerly of Blankiet and Harlan), a woman known for painstakingly meticulous winemaking. Sounds far too expensive for your Tuesday night, no? Well, you are in for an affordable treat! Impetuous is Checkerboard's second label, crafted by the talented Martha McClellan herself from the same barrels that produce the acclaimed King’s Row and Aurora Vineyard. This wine is inspired by the unique terroir found within their four pristine estate vineyards on Diamond Mountain, blended carefully to be enjoyed NOW without the need to decant or age. 
The nose and palate offer an exciting array of your favorite fruits - Bing cherry, blueberry, and wild blackberry. Barrel aging added a delicious swirl of caramel and baking spice while Mother Nature sprinkled in a beautiful floral character. A juicy, knock-out finish completes the wine.
 
MARTHA MCCLELLAN | WINEMAKER
Martha McClellan worked making the wines at Harlan Estate from 1995 through 2000.  In 2001 she took over the winemaking and vineyard direction at Sloan Estate, the renowned Napa Valley winery, where she continues to make the wines today.  She also oversaw vinification for several years at Blankiet, while starting Levy & McClellan with her winemaker husband Bob Levy. In 2006 she came to Checkerboard Vineyards and made the first vintage from the Aurora Vineyard site on Diamond Mountain.