A little Helen Keplinger FYI – Helen is the current winemaker at Carte Blanche & Grace Family. She also worked at Bryant Family, Arrow & Branch, Paradigm & Kenzo alongside Heidi Barrett. Everywhere she worked with the elite, like Heidi Barrett & David Abreu. She also gained valuable experience in France and Australia. The 2019 vintage is “finger-licking-empty-that-glass-quick-great”!
Keplinger 2019 Sumo Petite Sirah “Shake Ridge Vineyard”
Regular 79.99 NOW 74.99
FREE SHIPPING on 12 or more!
Use code KEPLINGER during checkout
OK to mix & match with other Keplinger wines
The inky hued 2019 Sumo (83% Petite Sirah, 11% Syrah, and 6% Viognier) reveals a lively bouquet of blue fruits, violets, peony, spiced meats, and bouquet garni. This full-bodied, rich, yet elegant Petite Sirah has building tannins, terrific purity and a great finish. It’s another brilliant wine from the Sierra Foothills.
Helen’s Tasting Notes: “Sumo is a Cote Rotie twist on Petite Sirah – Petite Sirah co-fermented with Viognier, and blended with a small amount of Syrah. The 2019 Sumo is a blend of 83% Petite Sirah, 11% Syrah, and 6% Viognier, all from the rocky, volcanic, impeccably-and-organically-farmed Shake Ridge Vineyard. The Petite comes from three blocks, one is 80% rock and produces small, thick-skinned berries with intense aromatics and dense structure. The second Petite block also has very rocky soil with a western exposure – the berries are ever so slightly larger and the skins slightly thinner (remember this is still Petite!), bringing a juicy elegance to the blend. The third Petite block is at the bottom of a north-facing block, and is all about vibrant, fresh fruit – the lifter of the trio. The 2019 Sumo has a deep, dark nose of brambly blackberry, blueberry jam, black licorice, black cherry stones, violets, cassis bud, cedar, and a hint of white pepper. The palate has a silky entry with seamless, velvet-textured tannins throughout to the finish, subtly framing the blue and black fruit, asphalt, cherry blossom, dried herb and spice flavors on the palate. 300 cases produced.”
Vinous 97 Points (2018): “The 2018 Sumo is remarkably polished for a Petite Syrah-based wine. Inky blue/purplish fruit, lavender, mint and spice fill out the layers effortlessly. Helen Keplinger has done a brilliant job taming the young Petite tannins. The Sumo is deep and potent, but not at all overdone or heavy. It is one of the most compelling wines I have tasted from Helen Keplinger.”
Keplinger 2019 Lithic GSM “Shake Ridge Vineyard”
Regular 79..99 NOW 74.99
FREE SHIPPING on 12 or more!
Use code KEPLINGER during checkout
OK to mix & match with other Keplinger wines
The Lithic is bright, energetic and pulsing with energy. Dark red and purplish berry fruit, rose petal, mint and spice all flesh out in this beautifully delineated Mourvèdre/Grenache/Syrah blend. Sweet floral notes reappear on the finish, adding a final kick of freshness. This is such a gorgeous wine.
Helen’s Tasting Notes: ”The 2019 Lithic is a blend of 38% Grenache, 36% Mourvedre, and 26% Syrah – all coming from Ann Kraemer’s incredible Shake Ridge Vineyard, situated at 1700’ in the Sierra Foothills of Amador County. Organically farmed to perfection, the extraordinary Sierra uplift soils, loaded with quartz, basalt, soapstone, and shale always combine to create wines of great purity, richness, and minerality. The Grenache, Mourvedre, and Syrah blocks are all on rock-filled slopes with excellent exposure and drainage. The hillside blocks were harvested in partial picks for optimal ripeness on four different dates, and combined into small co-fermentations, each with a different percentage of whole cluster grapes. The wine was aged in a combination of new (15%), once-used and neutral French Demi Muids for 18 months before being bottled without fining or filtration. The 2019 Lithic is deeply perfumed, with heady aromatics of lavender, boysenberry, strawberries, orange blossom, Darjeerling tea, leather, rose petal, and baking spices. The gorgeous, silky entry, opens to delicious flavors of red and purple fruits, clove, pot pourri, cinnamon stick, with a persistent to the ethereal, long finish. 295 cases produced.”
Jed Dunnuck 96 Points (2018): A darker, richer wine, the 2019 Lithic is a Southern Rhône-like blend of 38% Grenache, 36% Mourvedre, and 26% Syrah that’s all from a site in Amador County. Blackberries, smoked meats, pepper, and chocolate notes emerge from the glass, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with a rounded, seamless texture and terrific tannins. It’s a brilliant wine that will certainly stand up to any number of great Châteauneuf du Papes.
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