I made the rookie mistake of not letting this bottle rest after shipping from CA. Sediment kicked up and muddled the palate ever so slightly. With that I don't think this bottle was stored as well as the ones I drink at my favorite steakhouse. Still a treat and a great bottle of wine.
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This wine just continues to deliver the goods. One of the wines of the year for me based on overall restaurant QPR. Seamless integration and complexity. This time I did not decant and that was the way to go.
Part 2 of a lot with a ‘10 Sumo ($50@) from an auction a few months ago. BJclark’s TN is pretty comprehensive on notes, but I’d add hazelnut, mocha, smoked meats, figs and perhaps a touch of rhubarb. Medium garnet, medium to full bodied, thick legs. Racy acidity, medium+ tannins, no heat. Excellent complexity, VG+ intensity and persistence. While I’m fond of Helen’s wines, I’ve liked the ‘15 of this a bit less, which, along tepidly positive feelings for the FM Parvata, the only Mourvèdre dominant blends I’m aware of having had, made me wonder how much I like this varietal, but this vintage is drinking spot on right now. Great lift and freshness gives this wine really nice length but without a trace of heaviness. The nuttiness, smokiness and meatiness gives this just the right balance of sweetness and savoriness. While this varietal seems harder to pair than either Syrah or Grenache, it worked really well with burritos, while being equally outstanding on its own. While upside is uncertain, this looks like to have at least another 3-5 years of excellent drinking ahead. After the Sumo, which felt slightly post prime, this was solidly exceeded expectations. Perhaps my ‘15s just needed a bit more time; I’m glad I have a couple left. 94+
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Wow! This is one of my favorite Keplinger Rhones to date. Right in line with 10 Sumo. Silky smooth olive driven dark fruit and lovely, yet interesting aromatics. Spent brass and gun smoke flint minerality. Medium plus in body with a long finish. I'm blown away and left wanting to locate more.
Great window but I think this wine will continue to age well.
65% Mourvedre, 29% Grenache, and 6% Counoise that was aged for 18-months in neutral French oak. Decanted and showing light to moderate sediment. In the glass this shows a dark garnet color that reveals some bricking on the rim.
Aromas on the nose are complex and evolved showing meaty notes of dry aged meats that fold in scents of suede, walnut grove, brine, gunmetal, iron, iodine, dried rose hips, violets and herbs that come with notes of an exotic spice market, red vines, cherry compote, strawberry preserve and hints of cocoa, pepper and squelched campfire. On the palate the wine retains it's bright acid structure and plays against the refined suave tannins. The wine is smoothly textured with a silky mouthfeel and shows density without heaviness across the palate. Flavors show red fruit compote and preserves with red licorice, gorgeous florals, pipe tobacco, exotic spices of pink peppercorn, anise, Hungarian paprika, fennel pollen and cinnamon show through before giving way to notes of roasted meats, toasted nuts, leather, earth, smoky mineral and bakers chocolate. The finish is long and echo's again and again. Supple and smooth but shows some great complexity with the air time. This almost shows more of an old world quality to it. Still within it's window and should continue to be for another five or more years.
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As other tasters have already noted, it’s a bit simple, and the fruit dominates, even at this age. Also a little less acidity than we tend to prefer . . . But all that said, it feels well balanced and is absolutely delicious. Paired well with grilled burgers, and was good on its own after.
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PnP, half consumed over two hours, half saved for night 2.
Alcohol somewhat prominent, this is showing a lot of fruit without much complexity. With 9+ years, would have expected this to have evolved some tertiary notes, but it really hasn’t.
Update: upgraded from “Neutral” to “I like it.” Overnight, this really came together. The prominent ABV receded, and this took on a plush silkiness. Still showing strong, but enjoyable, fruit on the palate.
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Left in the decanter for an hour, and then drank over the next two hrs. Enjoyable blend, with tannins and oak well integrated - although a bit simple and one dimensional. Fruit is obviously high quality, and the wine drinks well - but it is lacking in secondaries, tertiaries, and complexity. Apart from (admittedly delicious) fruit, there are very subtle hints of spices - and little more. So, an enjoyable wine - but definitely not good QPR. Can drink better CdP, I think, at a similar price point. Or Ridge or Swan Rhone varietal bottlings, for less money in fact. So far I have had two different Keplinger bottles, and I have been rather unimpressed - esp. once one factors price. Would be glad to be proved wrong in the future - I really wanted to like this producer, and have several more bottles in the cellar.
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Closed on PnP, and gradually opened up over a couple hours. An interesting blend. Great with a white sauce pizza. Well balanced, spice. Me - 92, Wife - 93
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opened during the last round of the 2014 masters, left in a decanter during the coverage and nursed 3/4 of the bottle, poured back into the bottle and drank the rest on day 2. classic, varietally spot on mourvedre aromatics. i can't ever put my finger on what i'm smelling with mourvedre, but i know when i smell it, and it smells gooooooood. one of the better keplinger wines i've had lately, and actually not a bad value even at $60. plush but focused, very balanced and not overly alcoholic. if scoring, 92-93. plenty of life left here, and the more savory aromas should only evolve further.
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Perhaps i should have waited 6 mos or decanted. I found the wine a bit wound up and tannic. I will wait another year or two to try the next bottle. Since it is made by Keplinger I expected a bit more
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A dark violet colored Mourvedre based blend. Cherry and smoked meat on the nose. Flavors of cherry, smoked meat, pepper and tobacco. A little bit of licorice. Served with a minimal decant. I should have waited longer, but this was excellent.
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Nice funky nose of dark fruits, leather, anise, smoked game. On the palate, flavors of smoked meats, leather, black raspberry, licorice, spice. Finishes with great acidity to balance it out. Drink or continue to hold.
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Just a beautiful blend that is drinking great now with a two hour decant. I love helens wines and this bottle is no exception. So happy to have a few of these left too allow me to see how this wines evolve.
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Popped 2 hours before first pour, consumed over 5 hours. Nose: Medium expressiveness, gaminess - venison, bacon fat, and tobacco, with distinct undertones of primarily blue fruit with even more subtle hints of red fruit. Palate: Medium-full bodied, everything here is in great balance - gaminess, fruit, and acid - all join in harmony, laser focus from front to back. Finish: Lengthy finish that actually builds in intensity over the first 5 - 10 seconds and lingers on and on. This is seriously good juice.
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Funkalicious on the nose with licorice, dark fruits, leather, game, smoked meats. On the palate, rich and full, yet dances lightly around with flavors of dark berries, leather, anise, game, tart cherry. Finishes strong with great tannins and acidity. Drink with a decent decant or hold over the medium term.
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Decanted for 2 hrs and then poured. This wine is so good and very well made, I will buy as much as I'm allocated next year. Fruit with light earth on the nose, the palate is balanced, with a touch of oak on the finish. Will sit on my other bottle for a couple of years and I bet it develops nicely.
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Dense. And yes, I am part of the 2% who couldn't wait (blame my wife). The cork was a bit stubborn coming out of the bottle. Nose straight out of the bottle was very muted. This wine was Vinturi decanted and then allowed to sit in bottle for about 30 minutes. Enjoyed over the next 90. The wine poured a very dark red and violet into the glass. The nose was consistent with red licorice and some unidentified floral note in the background, along with some earthy funk. The initial taste on the palate is DENSE with a tiny bit of heat. On the palate initially I was getting a lot of leather, and the grilled piece of beef that you spent all day marinating and dropped on the ground yet picked up, dusted off, and ate (c'mon, I'm not ashamed. We've all done it before). Not much fruit on the front. The middle is kind of where the chocolate and a tiny bit of blackberry came in, but the brambly backbone doubled. Finished partly with tart cherry and partly spicy, and with only medium oaked tannin. Very well integrated at such an incredibly young age. If you're a fruit bomb lover, this is NOT your wine. I'm amazed at the smooth nature despite the subtle brambly characteristics. But, this wine really needed an hour + before even touching it. Drink now if you plan to decant half the afternoon - otherwise keep it locked up. 65% Mourvedre, 29% Grenache, and 6% Counoise.
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Smoked meat meets tangy red fruits with mild curry spices. Youthful flash with a light touch and exquisite balance. First Keplinger wine and I'm impressed. 90-93. Fun to smell out of a big burg bowl. Best at the end of day 1 but no slouch on the Pnp or day 2 either.
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Helen says 20 to 30 minute decant is all that is needed. NO WAY on this beauty! If you must have one then I suggest a minimum 4 hours and probably more like six hours. Drank over 8 hour period. Initial glass had noticeble heat. Continued to loosen up and stretch out with each glass. This is really good stuff. Dense and complex. Beautiful dark fruit color. Medium nose, lush palate and medium plus finish.
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12/31/2022 - MJP Hou TX Likes this wine: 94 Points
Back to the well on NYE. Restaurant purchase which has now become my personal stash. Shh...
Great way to end the year with one of our personal favorites. Small amount left over for the first which was fully oxidized but still tasty.
Drink up as this wine is at the summit.
94+
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12/15/2022 - MJP Hou TX Likes this wine:
I made the rookie mistake of not letting this bottle rest after shipping from CA. Sediment kicked up and muddled the palate ever so slightly. With that I don't think this bottle was stored as well as the ones I drink at my favorite steakhouse. Still a treat and a great bottle of wine.
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11/25/2022 - MJP Hou TX Likes this wine: 96 Points
This wine just continues to deliver the goods. One of the wines of the year for me based on overall restaurant QPR. Seamless integration and complexity. This time I did not decant and that was the way to go.
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11/10/2022 - sfwinelover1 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Part 2 of a lot with a ‘10 Sumo ($50@) from an auction a few months ago. BJclark’s TN is pretty comprehensive on notes, but I’d add hazelnut, mocha, smoked meats, figs and perhaps a touch of rhubarb. Medium garnet, medium to full bodied, thick legs. Racy acidity, medium+ tannins, no heat. Excellent complexity, VG+ intensity and persistence. While I’m fond of Helen’s wines, I’ve liked the ‘15 of this a bit less, which, along tepidly positive feelings for the FM Parvata, the only Mourvèdre dominant blends I’m aware of having had, made me wonder how much I like this varietal, but this vintage is drinking spot on right now. Great lift and freshness gives this wine really nice length but without a trace of heaviness. The nuttiness, smokiness and meatiness gives this just the right balance of sweetness and savoriness. While this varietal seems harder to pair than either Syrah or Grenache, it worked really well with burritos, while being equally outstanding on its own. While upside is uncertain, this looks like to have at least another 3-5 years of excellent drinking ahead. After the Sumo, which felt slightly post prime, this was solidly exceeded expectations. Perhaps my ‘15s just needed a bit more time; I’m glad I have a couple left. 94+
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6/25/2022 - MJP Hou TX Likes this wine: 96 Points
Wow! This is one of my favorite Keplinger Rhones to date. Right in line with 10 Sumo. Silky smooth olive driven dark fruit and lovely, yet interesting aromatics. Spent brass and gun smoke flint minerality. Medium plus in body with a long finish. I'm blown away and left wanting to locate more.
Great window but I think this wine will continue to age well.
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4/24/2021 - citizen1 Likes this wine: 95 Points
This is in an excellent window right now - drink up. Velvet in a glass. Dark soft fruit.
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3/16/2021 - pinotpounder Likes this wine: 94 Points
94 points
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1/2/2021 - bjamesclark wrote: 93 Points
65% Mourvedre, 29% Grenache, and 6% Counoise that was aged for 18-months in neutral French oak.
Decanted and showing light to moderate sediment. In the glass this shows a dark garnet color that reveals some bricking on the rim.
Aromas on the nose are complex and evolved showing meaty notes of dry aged meats that fold in scents of suede, walnut grove, brine, gunmetal, iron, iodine, dried rose hips, violets and herbs that come with notes of an exotic spice market, red vines, cherry compote, strawberry preserve and hints of cocoa, pepper and squelched campfire.
On the palate the wine retains it's bright acid structure and plays against the refined suave tannins. The wine is smoothly textured with a silky mouthfeel and shows density without heaviness across the palate. Flavors show red fruit compote and preserves with red licorice, gorgeous florals, pipe tobacco, exotic spices of pink peppercorn, anise, Hungarian paprika, fennel pollen and cinnamon show through before giving way to notes of roasted meats, toasted nuts, leather, earth, smoky mineral and bakers chocolate. The finish is long and echo's again and again. Supple and smooth but shows some great complexity with the air time.
This almost shows more of an old world quality to it. Still within it's window and should continue to be for another five or more years.
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6/12/2020 - sirocco wrote:
Wow, fruit is still fresh on the nose.
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5/31/2020 - millerarner Likes this wine: 93 Points
As other tasters have already noted, it’s a bit simple, and the fruit dominates, even at this age. Also a little less acidity than we tend to prefer . . . But all that said, it feels well balanced and is absolutely delicious. Paired well with grilled burgers, and was good on its own after.
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1/23/2020 - Fugu Me Likes this wine:
PnP, half consumed over two hours, half saved for night 2.
Alcohol somewhat prominent, this is showing a lot of fruit without much complexity. With 9+ years, would have expected this to have evolved some tertiary notes, but it really hasn’t.
Update: upgraded from “Neutral” to “I like it.” Overnight, this really came together. The prominent ABV receded, and this took on a plush silkiness. Still showing strong, but enjoyable, fruit on the palate.
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8/26/2018 - glennramsdell Likes this wine: 91 Points
Plum on the nose, and thereafter sweet raisins and fig predominate in this beautiful, textured wine. If you have a bottle, drink it now.
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4/15/2018 - bravo.solares wrote: 90 Points
Left in the decanter for an hour, and then drank over the next two hrs. Enjoyable blend, with tannins and oak well integrated - although a bit simple and one dimensional. Fruit is obviously high quality, and the wine drinks well - but it is lacking in secondaries, tertiaries, and complexity. Apart from (admittedly delicious) fruit, there are very subtle hints of spices - and little more. So, an enjoyable wine - but definitely not good QPR. Can drink better CdP, I think, at a similar price point. Or Ridge or Swan Rhone varietal bottlings, for less money in fact. So far I have had two different Keplinger bottles, and I have been rather unimpressed - esp. once one factors price. Would be glad to be proved wrong in the future - I really wanted to like this producer, and have several more bottles in the cellar.
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12/3/2017 - GoBlue2002 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Closed on PnP, and gradually opened up over a couple hours.
An interesting blend. Great with a white sauce pizza.
Well balanced, spice.
Me - 92, Wife - 93
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2/27/2015 - Tonythefish wrote: 93 Points
Really well rounded blend that's hit its stride
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4/15/2014 - Screameagle Likes this wine: 90 Points
A very nice well made wine for sure that seems to be at its prime. I'm not a big fan of movedre but this one is very tasty for sure.
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4/7/2014 - caeleric Likes this wine:
opened during the last round of the 2014 masters, left in a decanter during the coverage and nursed 3/4 of the bottle, poured back into the bottle and drank the rest on day 2. classic, varietally spot on mourvedre aromatics. i can't ever put my finger on what i'm smelling with mourvedre, but i know when i smell it, and it smells gooooooood. one of the better keplinger wines i've had lately, and actually not a bad value even at $60. plush but focused, very balanced and not overly alcoholic. if scoring, 92-93. plenty of life left here, and the more savory aromas should only evolve further.
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12/28/2013 - kcp Likes this wine: 93 Points
An absolutely seductive wine.
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10/13/2013 - rwatkin wrote: 90 Points
Perhaps i should have waited 6 mos or decanted. I found the wine a bit wound up and tannic. I will wait another year or two to try the next bottle. Since it is made by Keplinger I expected a bit more
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6/15/2013 - Ilikadajuice wrote: 93 Points
Beautiful juice. In a much better place than 6 months ago. Longer decant this time, 2 hours vs 30 minutes last bottle. Building finish is wonderful.
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5/18/2013 - mcsac67 Likes this wine: 93 Points
A dark violet colored Mourvedre based blend. Cherry and smoked meat on the nose. Flavors of cherry, smoked meat, pepper and tobacco. A little bit of licorice. Served with a minimal decant. I should have waited longer, but this was excellent.
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4/10/2013 - Winiac wrote: 86 Points
Very smooth and creamy but super oaked! You cannot taste anything out of this wine other than biting oak. Very low bar for the price.
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3/26/2013 - GalvezGuy wrote:
Nice funky nose of dark fruits, leather, anise, smoked game. On the palate, flavors of smoked meats, leather, black raspberry, licorice, spice. Finishes with great acidity to balance it out. Drink or continue to hold.
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3/16/2013 - Screameagle Likes this wine: 93 Points
Just a beautiful blend that is drinking great now with a two hour decant. I love helens wines and this bottle is no exception. So happy to have a few of these left too allow me to see how this wines evolve.
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3/16/2013 - prasm Likes this wine: 94 Points
Popped 2 hours before first pour, consumed over 5 hours. Nose: Medium expressiveness, gaminess - venison, bacon fat, and tobacco, with distinct undertones of primarily blue fruit with even more subtle hints of red fruit. Palate: Medium-full bodied, everything here is in great balance - gaminess, fruit, and acid - all join in harmony, laser focus from front to back. Finish: Lengthy finish that actually builds in intensity over the first 5 - 10 seconds and lingers on and on. This is seriously good juice.
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2/14/2013 - GalvezGuy wrote: 93 Points
Funkalicious on the nose with licorice, dark fruits, leather, game, smoked meats. On the palate, rich and full, yet dances lightly around with flavors of dark berries, leather, anise, game, tart cherry. Finishes strong with great tannins and acidity. Drink with a decent decant or hold over the medium term.
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1/19/2013 - SkeBum wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for 2 hrs and then poured. This wine is so good and very well made, I will buy as much as I'm allocated next year. Fruit with light earth on the nose, the palate is balanced, with a touch of oak on the finish. Will sit on my other bottle for a couple of years and I bet it develops nicely.
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12/17/2012 - mflesh Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dense. And yes, I am part of the 2% who couldn't wait (blame my wife). The cork was a bit stubborn coming out of the bottle. Nose straight out of the bottle was very muted. This wine was Vinturi decanted and then allowed to sit in bottle for about 30 minutes. Enjoyed over the next 90. The wine poured a very dark red and violet into the glass. The nose was consistent with red licorice and some unidentified floral note in the background, along with some earthy funk. The initial taste on the palate is DENSE with a tiny bit of heat. On the palate initially I was getting a lot of leather, and the grilled piece of beef that you spent all day marinating and dropped on the ground yet picked up, dusted off, and ate (c'mon, I'm not ashamed. We've all done it before). Not much fruit on the front. The middle is kind of where the chocolate and a tiny bit of blackberry came in, but the brambly backbone doubled. Finished partly with tart cherry and partly spicy, and with only medium oaked tannin. Very well integrated at such an incredibly young age. If you're a fruit bomb lover, this is NOT your wine. I'm amazed at the smooth nature despite the subtle brambly characteristics. But, this wine really needed an hour + before even touching it. Drink now if you plan to decant half the afternoon - otherwise keep it locked up. 65% Mourvedre, 29% Grenache, and 6% Counoise.
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12/9/2012 - silton Likes this wine:
Smoked meat meets tangy red fruits with mild curry spices. Youthful flash with a light touch and exquisite balance. First Keplinger wine and I'm impressed. 90-93. Fun to smell out of a big burg bowl. Best at the end of day 1 but no slouch on the Pnp or day 2 either.
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12/9/2012 - Ilikadajuice wrote: 92 Points
Helen says 20 to 30 minute decant is all that is needed. NO WAY on this beauty! If you must have one then I suggest a minimum 4 hours and probably more like six hours. Drank over 8 hour period. Initial glass had noticeble heat. Continued to loosen up and stretch out with each glass. This is really good stuff. Dense and complex. Beautiful dark fruit color. Medium nose, lush palate and medium plus finish.
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