This bottle was a bit different from the previous one. There was a strong smell of pine, something I've not experienced before, and it bordered on unpleasant. Fortunately, the flavors had none of that. Fruit is definitely in the background, dominated by mineral and a touch of spice. Medium-bodied, not tannic at all. After this bottle, I think it's time to drink up.
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Earthy aroma and light red in appearance. Medium-bodied with stone and red berries. A touch of effervescence was the only drawback. I think the fruit will fade from here but it should last a few more years.
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This is in a great place right now. PnP, was ready to go on open, but held steady through the two hours over which it was consumed, so I think there's no harm in holding for another couple of years or more. Elegant and silky, a bit peppery, fruit is still present and balanced. Really enjoyable bottle.
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Opened up nicely after several hours. Beautifully layered and complex. Flavors of black berries, smoked meats, peppery spices and dry earth. Lengthy finish. More time in the bottle can only improve this wine.
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Lighter and fruitier than expected, silky, smooth and elegant with a wonderful long finish but without the peppery finish others have mentioned; a tiny bit one dimensional. Not decanted, none needed and should continue drinking nicely over the next five or six years.
Edit: Finished off the bottle on day two and I must withdraw my 'one dimensional' comment from the first night. Still no peppery finish but definitely notes of leather and something else I can't quite put my finger on which really add a complexity to the wine not found on day one. I will have to decant my next one to see if that helps on day one.
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Really good blend. I love wines that lead with Mourvedre. Needless to say, it needs a lot more time, but a couple hours' decant might help a lot. Each variety could be identified here. An excellent wine!
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This was my first encounter with a Keplinger wine, and boy did it meet my expectations. Based on the winemakers notes and others on CT my hope was this one would be ready to go right away and only get better with air. The wine was ruby red, it appeared to emit light, kind a cool. The nose had dark cherrries, rhubarb, toasty oak (mild oak), and a bright flavor that I'm not sure how to characterize. The bright flavor manifested as the acid backbone with some raspberry when I tasted it. The taste and mouthfeel was perfectly balanced till the very last drop. As the oxidized the fruits got dark and i started to get some mocha, which is why they paired so well with the chocolate ice cream we had for desert. I would have say that this wine was more of an ice cream topping, if Helen can reduce this into a sauce it would be amazing.
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To decant or not? 2006 Pinot Noir and a few more: Pop and poured. This is also very young but drinking quite well right now. Inky purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, lots of minerality and black pepper. Lush texture but a bit more acidity than the Lillian which was much appreciated after so many wines. Nice finish.
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A touch sweeter red with the mouvedre balanced well with the peppery finish of the counoise I'm thrilled to be able to get Helen's wines. Had a 30 minute decant and the vinturi.
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5/21/2021 - citizen1 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Agree with the spice and peppery comments - very smooth right now but i would drink up. Excellent but at its zenith!
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1/10/2021 - Crunge Likes this wine: 92 Points
This bottle was a bit different from the previous one. There was a strong smell of pine, something I've not experienced before, and it bordered on unpleasant. Fortunately, the flavors had none of that. Fruit is definitely in the background, dominated by mineral and a touch of spice. Medium-bodied, not tannic at all. After this bottle, I think it's time to drink up.
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11/20/2020 - Crunge Likes this wine: 91 Points
Earthy aroma and light red in appearance. Medium-bodied with stone and red berries. A touch of effervescence was the only drawback. I think the fruit will fade from here but it should last a few more years.
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5/3/2020 - fdub wrote: 93 Points
Bigger and showing nice aged notes. Good stuff.
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6/4/2018 - Fugu Me Likes this wine:
This is in a great place right now. PnP, was ready to go on open, but held steady through the two hours over which it was consumed, so I think there's no harm in holding for another couple of years or more. Elegant and silky, a bit peppery, fruit is still present and balanced. Really enjoyable bottle.
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8/7/2016 - Castle Peak wrote: 91 Points
Thinner, lighter and had a crispier texture than I remember. Good, but not as intense and deep as last bottle back in early 2014.
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12/25/2014 - Castle Peak wrote: 93 Points
Opened up nicely after several hours. Beautifully layered and complex. Flavors of black berries, smoked meats, peppery spices and dry earth. Lengthy finish. More time in the bottle can only improve this wine.
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2/16/2014 - que syrah syrah wrote: 90 Points
Lighter and fruitier than expected, silky, smooth and elegant with a wonderful long finish but without the peppery finish others have mentioned; a tiny bit one dimensional. Not decanted, none needed and should continue drinking nicely over the next five or six years.
Edit: Finished off the bottle on day two and I must withdraw my 'one dimensional' comment from the first night. Still no peppery finish but definitely notes of leather and something else I can't quite put my finger on which really add a complexity to the wine not found on day one. I will have to decant my next one to see if that helps on day one.
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11/25/2012 - Baggio wrote: 93 Points
Really good blend. I love wines that lead with Mourvedre. Needless to say, it needs a lot more time, but a couple hours' decant might help a lot. Each variety could be identified here. An excellent wine!
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10/20/2012 - AHReed wrote: 94 Points
Licorice, plum and sage. amazingly aromatic and integrated wood is prominent. evolution of aroma and palate was constant.
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1/10/2012 - ccotton8 Likes this wine: 93 Points
This was my first encounter with a Keplinger wine, and boy did it meet my expectations. Based on the winemakers notes and others on CT my hope was this one would be ready to go right away and only get better with air. The wine was ruby red, it appeared to emit light, kind a cool. The nose had dark cherrries, rhubarb, toasty oak (mild oak), and a bright flavor that I'm not sure how to characterize. The bright flavor manifested as the acid backbone with some raspberry when I tasted it. The taste and mouthfeel was perfectly balanced till the very last drop. As the oxidized the fruits got dark and i started to get some mocha, which is why they paired so well with the chocolate ice cream we had for desert. I would have say that this wine was more of an ice cream topping, if Helen can reduce this into a sauce it would be amazing.
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1/9/2012 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 92 Points
To decant or not? 2006 Pinot Noir and a few more: Pop and poured. This is also very young but drinking quite well right now. Inky purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, lots of minerality and black pepper. Lush texture but a bit more acidity than the Lillian which was much appreciated after so many wines. Nice finish.
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12/25/2011 - russdan60 wrote: 92 Points
A touch sweeter red with the mouvedre balanced well with the peppery finish of the counoise I'm thrilled to be able to get Helen's wines. Had a 30 minute decant and the vinturi.
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12/10/2011 - Baggio wrote: 92 Points
Excellent, but could really use another year in bottle. One note here suggests 15 of breathing, but in my experience, that wasn't enough.
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11/22/2011 - Thirsty_Goat wrote:
Keplinger says the wine is drinkable now with about 15 minutes of decanting. Tasting notes to follow. Drink now through 2016
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