2016 Keplinger Mars, USA, California, Napa, Moon Mountain, Wine Review

This is a blend of 52% Grenache, 34% Syrah and 14% Mourvedre from Moon Mountain District in Napa. Purple in color, Garnet at the rim, opaque and bright. The nose is deep with black raspberries, bacon fat, dark chocolate, spice and slight soy sauce. Full bodied. Medium tannins. On the palate, this seems mature. Complex and layered. Delicious. Flavors of black raspberries, black cherries, dark chocolate, spices and slight plums. Long finish. This is great on its own and will work well with comfort foods such as stews, Mac & Cheese or Chili. Drink over the next ten years.

Grade:

Score:

Vintage:

2016

Current Price:

$75.00USD

2000 Saxum Bone Rock James Berry Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review

Vintage:

2000

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$130.00USD

This is the first vintage and first wine under the Saxum label. It is a blend of 92% Syrah, 5% Grenache and 3% Mourvedre. 14.8% abv.

2016 Keplinger Vermillion, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$25.00USD

This is the second label for Helen Keplinger. The grapes are sourced 69% from the Sierra Foothills and 31% from Sonoma County. It is a blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Counoise and Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a great value in California blends. Purple in color. The nose has a lot going on with black raspberries, plums, some cassis and cherries along with a bit of spice and roasted meat. On the palate, plenty of black raspberry fruit, some sherries over a charred earth quality. Lush texture. Delicious and easy drinking but with a bit of complexity to it. Medium tan

2015 Keplinger Vermillion, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage:

2019

Score:

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Current Price:

$40.00USD

This is the "second label" of star winemaker Helen Keplinger's home winery. It is made from 31% Sonoma Grapes and 69% Sierra Foothills Grapes. A blend of 55% Grenache, 22% Mourvedre, 18% Syrah, and 5% Petite Sirah. A delicious wine. Purple in color with ruby at the rim. The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, spice, gravel and slight plums and earth. On the palate, this is full bodied but very lively with lots of energy. Black raspberries dominate at the moment but the black cherries are also present. There is also a layer of gravel and scorched earth that is a lovely counte

2015 Keplinger Lithic, USA, California, Amador County, Wine Review

Vintage:

2015

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$70.00USD

This is a blend of 40% Mourvèdre, 34% Grenache, and 26% Syrah. It is a big wine that is ripe and delicious. The nose has black raspberries, blue berries, roasted meat and herbs, black pepper and some cherries. On the palate, this is big. Firm tannins. Juicy black raspberry and blueberry fruit with an underlying minerality. It softens a bit in the glass. It is great on its own but a difficult food match at present. It will most certainly evolve and gain integration over the next five to ten years at which time it will be great with cassoulets and roasted foods. No regrets about open

2017 Keplinger Lithic, USA, California, Amador, Wine Review

Vintage:

2017

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$75.00USD

This is 47% Grenache, 28% Mourvedre and 25% Syrah. It would be tempting to call this a Chateauneuf styled wine, but this is clearly full of California sunshine. Purple with ruby swirls, opaque and bright.

2016 Keplinger Mars, USA, California, Napa, Moon Mountain, Wine Review

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