September 14, 2022 - Four years since my last bottle. Then I thought it would drink well for another 3 years or so. That was accurate as it is still drinking well but probably starting a decline. Dark red with fading at the edges. Bright berry and spice nose. Red-fruited and crisp on the palate, cherry, blueberry. The grenache in the blend comes out strongly. Fine tannins, pronounced acidity, decent balance. Finishes long and gradual and red-fruited. Probably a bit past peak but still nice. I'd drink these up over the next 2 years. Started to fall apart on the second day after a sojourn in the refrigerator.
October 6, 2018 - A lovely wine, but not what I expected at all. 40% Grenache, 46% Mourvedre and 14% Syrah. A bright nose of cherries and roasted meats. The palate starts out bright with blueberries and transitions to dark cherry with a bit of pepper. The tannins are already soft and polished, great acidity. A long finish of dark fruits and warm spice. I was expecting a big, in-your-face wine. This ain't that kind of wine at all (thank heavens!). I expect this will drink well for another 3 years or so, but no reason to wait.
July 26, 2017 - Give it time to open and it'll reward you. In a good spot right now.
July 5, 2017 - Accessed a couple glasses via Coravin. Still very youthful, with the secondary characteristics that come from age in no hurry to displace the fruit. Should have heeded the community notes suggesting plenty of air prior to drinking, and will do so with the other half of the bottle. Nonetheless, enjoyable. 91+ now, but expect the score will improve when given the time it deserves.
November 23, 2015 - Opened up after a couple hours and was phenomenal. Aging nicely.
June 15, 2015 - Absolutely wonderful. Decanted for 4 hours. Still opening up. Much better than last bottles we opened. Maybe this bottling just needed more time.
January 7, 2014 - Needs some air to open up and develop. Really nice blending. The Mourvèdre is more apparent than the 2009. Red & black fruit, smoked meat, herbs, spices, minerals...it's all there in great balance. Medium + finish with mostly resolved tannins. Great drinking now with some air time and should easily hold a few more years.
Day 2 it continued to open and developed some mocha flavors along with the finish extending. One of my favorite bottles in the Keplinger lineup. It would be a disservice not to give this ample air.
December 25, 2013 - absolutely smoking with Christmas dinner. Velvety mouthfeel and loads of fruit and a finish that sails on and on. This was an awesome contrast to the 1995 Les Cailloux we poured next to it - both outstanding and a terrific demonstration of old/elegant vs young/powerful where both are great examples.
April 2, 2013 - Am a huge Kep fan but had not had the '08 Lithic until this bottle. Dark purple, with a muted nose, it impressed from the first sip after a 2-hour decant, yet seemed years from rounding into an integrated blend with softened tannins. All the ingredients are there, though.
March 31, 2013 - Two hour decant. Maybe it was the hustle and bustle of Easter, but i did not get a chance to focus on this wine. It was a big crowd pleaser with the family. They all said it was "big" with some fruit, but the pepper, spice, and mineral characteristics we're what they seemed to mention most.