2018 Keplinger Vermillion, USA, California, Wine Review

This is a blend of mostly Rhone grapes (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvede, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Sirah) with 31% from Sonoma and 69% from the Sierra Foothills. Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright. The nose is very nice with black raspberries, black cherries, black pepper and some spice. Full bodied. Lovely texture. On the palate, this is gulpable. Black raspberry fruit with some black cherries, ripe, with some black pepper. Delicious. Nice finish. This is a really nice value. Drink over the next seven to ten years. This drinks well on its own and will work with ribs or burgers off the grill.

Grade:

A-

Score:

Vintage:

2018

Current Price:

$35.00USD

2015 Keplinger Vermillion, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage:

2019

Score:

Grade:

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

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

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.

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

2010 Saxum Broken Stones, USA, California, Paso Robles,

Vintage:

2010

Score:

Grade:

A+

Current Price:

$150.00USD

This is a blend of 63% Syrah, 19% Mourvedre, 15% Grenache, and 3% Petite Sirah from Paso Robles. Inky purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is powerful with black raspberries, black pepper, grilled meats, black cherries, gravel and char. Full bodied. Lush texture. great energy and balance. On the palate, this is flat out delicious. Flavors of black raspberries, black cherries, black pepper and char. Long finish. Still a big wine but it has calmed down since its youth. It should drink well for another twenty years. Great on its own, this will work well with bigger food off

2018 Keplinger Vermillion, USA, California, Wine Review

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