2012 Keplinger Caldera

Community Tasting Notes (14) Avg Score: 90.6 points

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View sfwinelover1's profile
  • Report Issue

  4/1/2023 - sfwinelover1 Likes this wine: 93 Points

  One off ($49.99) from the big box wine store several months ago. On the nose and palate, moderate notes of mixed red and black berries, currants and perhaps lighter notes of cherries and rhubarb, earthy minerality, smoked meats, mixed nuts, mocha, graphite and lighter notes of citrus and roses. Medium garnet, medium+ bodied, thick legs. Medium+ tannins and acidity, no heat. VG++ complexity, VG intensity and persistence. Pretty much singing off the pour, this wine has held well over 3 days, perhaps losing just a bit of luster after the first night, working well on its own and particularly paired with spicy stuffed pasillas. Seems to be pretty much peak drinking window at this point, as this, like the recently consumed ‘10, showed notable balance, with a bit less intensity than the ‘15 when it was young but without that wine’s slightly cloying quality (which dissipated with further bottle age). While I’m not sure that I generally like Mouvedre as much as Syrah or Grenache, this wine, like almost all of Helen’s Rhones, is nicely structured with good complexity at a more than fair qpr. If you’re looking for a giant Rhone varietal that skews toward the sweet and higher alcohol, you’ll be happier with what you’ll find in the Central Coast, But I think that these wines do a really nice job of fusing California sunniness onto a more European sensibility. I’d drink these now or in the next few years. Underrated by a good couple of points here.

  1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View Tonythefish's profile
  • Report Issue

  8/14/2022 - Tonythefish Likes this wine: 91 Points

  Very nice GSM blend. Very enjoyable and plenty of fruit remains. Balanced, good color and a nice easy drinking finish. Medium red fruits, food friendly with both vegetable and cheese appetizers. Enjoy

  1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View Castle Peak's profile
  • Report Issue

  10/14/2020 - Castle Peak wrote: 93 Points

  Much better from the bottle I tasted 2 years ago. Cellaring has been good to this wine. Nicely balanced and lovely blend of ripe berries, medium acidity, minerals, mild cedar and modest tannins. In a good place now.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View PasoWallaWill's profile
  • Report Issue

  6/9/2019 - PasoWallaWill Likes this wine: 91 Points

  Reticent dark berry nose. Fruity flavors of black raspberry, graphite, , minerals and a touch of orange rind. Long, soft finish. Dry and more earthy on night two.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View kcp's profile
  • Report Issue

  5/21/2019 - kcp Likes this wine: 92 Points

  A lovely wine - medium body, well-integrated dark fruit and tannins, refreshing finish. Improved since my last bottle.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

View all 14 Community Tasting Notes

Professional reviews have copyrights and you can view them here for your personal use only as private content. To view pro reviews you must either subscribe to a pre-integrated publication or manually enter reviews below. Learn more.