98-Points by Wine Enthusiast.
The fruit was gently de-stemmed and selected berry-by-berry to create this nuanced, elegant vintage of Checkerboard Aurora.  On entry, the wine is savory with vanilla bean, dark red fruits, and aged prosciutto.   It’s then broad, fleshy and full-bodied with spiced plum and caramel and subtler notes of red pepper flake and leather.  The tannins are supple and silky and provide the foundation for a lingering finish.
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.