2015 Keplinger Caldera

Community Tasting Notes (11) Avg Score: 93.1 points

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  1/3/2024 - sfwinelover1 Likes this wine:

  Last and best bottle from a 5 bottle auction lot. As I mentioned in my prior TN, and consistent with subsequent TN from CT friend csimm (or is it csim?), this really needed time in the bottle, and I wasn’t well served by pro reviewers who suggested the first bottle I had was ready 4 years ago and led me to give away 2 of the remaining bottles, even though it’s rare for me to break into a bottle too early. This is drinking beautifully at present, immaculately balanced between red and dark fruit, structure and secondary notes with notable lift, length and expressiveness. I’ve mentioned elsewhere I tend to find the 7-10 window ideal for Helen’s Rhones, although a ‘10 I had of this bottling last year was still singing impressively. This was good to go off the pour but held consistently over 3 nights, shining on its own and as an accompaniment to burritos. Drink now-next several years. Would buy more and highly recommended, particularly at my price. 93-94+ if scoring.

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  6/23/2023 - adnorthup wrote:

  hour and a half of air. Dark cherry, some wood, a bit of freshness and brighter red fruit on the finish. Agree with a note I saw about some plum. I still feel the heat on the finish of this, but the flavor profile is there.

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  6/18/2023 - Dine&Vine wrote: 93 Points

  Agree with csimms notes below. Very sophisticated wine after it enjoyed av30 minute breath of air. Went great with cherry smoked baby back ribs.

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  4/7/2023 - csimm wrote: 93 Points

  A few days in Napa with fellow CT'r Cristal2000: Iron, earth, black raspberry, muddled red raspberry, and plum notes fill the mouth with superb purity. The bit of age the Caldera has received in bottle has helped broaden the span of flavor. This is where Keplinger’s wines become more interesting. They all need time, otherwise consumers risk missing the true potential of these wines and what complexities they can bring to the table. They are more cerebral wines than they are party rockin’ juice pounders.

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  12/9/2022 - sfwinelover1 Likes this wine: 93 Points

  Fourth of 5 from an auction lot a few years ago. after being a bit disappointed by the first, I gave 2 away, but this is a definite improvement, with significantly better balance. Not quite the elegance of the ‘10, but this supports my thought that Keplinger Rhones are usually at their best in the 6-10-ish year window. Still seemed to appreciate about 90 minutes of air. Equally good with a paella one night and a chicken soup as on its own. Changing my window to that of CT. Perhaps I like Mourvèdre more than I thought.

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