The Beat
March 31, 2012, Wine Spectator - 'Head to the Foothills' by MaryAnn Worobiec
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February 28, 2012, Sommelier Journal, Terroir - Keplinger highlighted in an article on Ann Kraemer's Shake Ridge Vineyard, Amador, by Randy Caparoso
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December 31, 2011, Wine Spectator - 'Puzzles and Surprises' by James Laube
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December 23, 2011, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Issue #198
Antonio Galloni gives his impressions of the 2009 Keplinger wines:
The 2009 Kingpin Rows (100% Syrah from Pelkan Ranch) is plush, sweet, rich and totally inviting. This is a more finessed, perfumed style than the 2008. Layers of radiant fruit flow effortlessly to the silky, polished finish in this fabulous red. The 2009 can be enjoyed now or cellared. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024.
The 2009 Red Slope is another super intriguing wine. This Grenache-based blend emerges from the glass with expressive dark red fruit, flowers, licorice and hard candy. Layers of sweet, ripe fruit build to the perfumed finish. This is another strong effort. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2023.
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March 31, 2011, Wine Spectator - 'Spice of Life' by James Laube
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March 1, 2011, The Wall Street Journal, On Wine, Blog by Lettie Teague
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February 1, 2011, Benu | Keplinger | Gilt City San Francisco
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January 13, 2011, Wine Spectator, James Laube's Blog
Napa Winery, but No Napa Grapes at www.winespectator.com
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December 27, 2010, Wine Spectator, Mary Ann Worobeic's review of Petite Sirah
7 Intense California Reds at www.winespectator.com
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September 18, 2010 - Keplinger Wines Release Party - 750 Wines, St. Helena
Please join us from 4-6pm to taste our 2010 Fall Offer wines! 2008 Lithic, 2008 Caldera, 2008 Sumo...plus, a few special barrel samples of the 2009 vintage.
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September 2, 2010 - Vertical Tasting / www.napaman.com
"Talk about discovery. At the tasting, not only did I score every one of Helen’s glorious wines..." Jim White gives his opinion on the first Keplinger Vertical Tasting at www.napaman.com
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June 12, 2010 - Meet Your Maker - Pop Up Event
We'll be pouring Keplinger Wines at this fantastic event of authentic, handcrafted menswear and accessories on Saturday, June 12 from 4 to 7pm. This collection of fresh designers share our passion for the importance of selective sourcing and minding the details in the creative process. The market will run all weekend - June 11 to 13. Come check it out!
Event: Meet Your Maker
Location: Ohio Design, 630 Treat Avenue, San Francisco, CA Map
Time: Saturday, June 12, 4-7pm
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May 23, 2010 - New York Times Style Magazine - BOTTLE STOPPERS
Keplinger Wines 2007 Red Slope Grenache is one of five Napa vintages worth seeking out and stocking up on, in the opinion of David Lynch, the wine director at the acclaimed San Francisco restaurant Quince.
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May 16, 2010 - Star Chefs & Vintners Gala / Meals on Wheels San Francisco
Keplinger will be pouring at the Vintners Gala benefiting Meals on Wheels. Paired with a Star Chef's Second Course, the 2007 Red Slope Grenache will be featured on the menu at the benefit dinner. www.mowsf.org
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May 4, 2010 - Karen MacNeil describes the 2007 SUMO...
NEXT BEST THING TO CASHMERE PAJAMAS
KEPLINGER
"Sumo" 2007 (Amador County, California)
Begins plush; stays plush; finishes plush. This wine is a textural high. Made mostly from petite syrah with a little syrah thrown in, it’s a (well balanced) sumo wrestler of cocoa, spice and earthy flavors. Richness as reward".
www.karenmacneil.com
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May 1, 2010 - Hospice du Rhone: Keplinger Wines will be pouring the 2007 wines at this year's HdR Grand Tasting on Saturday May 1st. www.hospicedurhone.org
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2009 SommSpeak - What Sommeliers are saying about Keplinger wines:
“Keplinger wines have been one of my most exciting finds and top discoveries in the world of great wine. The pure, sexy, black fruit conjures up an image of an old school jazz club, sweaty, smoky, full of intense energy, manic and exciting, with food memories of grilled lamb, rosemary and anchovies, sitting over the history of graphite soil and minerals, full of iron and blood [ Keplinger Sumo ]. I’m totally blown away by the concentration and earthy, deep aromas in all of the wines and I eagerly look forward to drinking another bottle.”
Chris Blanchard, Master Sommelier - Sunset Marquis Hotel, Hollywood
“Keplinger is one of a few new producers working hard to bring the classic flavor profile of Rhone varietals back to California winemaking. The Kingpin Rows Syrah is a wine that delivers the kind of aromatics that Syrah lovers look for in the glass - classic ripe vintage Northern Rhone nose of crushed fresh herbs, garrigue, pepper and ripe blackberry fruit. The palette also shows the brambly black fruit and layers in structured oak, firm but balanced tannins and vanilla all carried over a noticeably long finish. A full bodied presentation of Syrah that delivers the best of both worlds - old and new.”
James Hayes, Beverage Director – Thomas Keller Restaurant Group
“Bringing classic black and red berries, cassis, savory herb, volcanic earth (hence the name), and a subtle background of toasty oak, it possesses a fabulous texture, beautiful richness and purity, and a finish that lasts forever. It is a wine of richness, dimension, and purity, all the while masking its muscles in a suit of elegance. It is no surprise that winemaker Helen Keplinger worked with the same varietals and style in Priorat, Spain. Although pleasurable now, it benefits from decanting and should drink well for 15 or more years.” [ Red Slope ]
Michael Ireland, Sommelier – Quince, San Francisco
"Layers of lush red, purple and black fruits with hints of lavender and sage. Notes of cardamom and clove rise from the judicious use of French oak. The wine was tremendously successful with the duck breast; the pure and concentrated fruit spoke perfectly to the accompanying winter dried fruit sauce. A very unique wine of uncommon purity and depth." [ Red Slope ]
Yoon Ha, Sommelier – LaToque, Napa Valley
"Ms. Keplinger’s pedigreed wines are so clearly familiar, whether her crafted efforts emerge from Spain or California's Knights Valley, she evokes Miro’s haunting compositions. A vinous high wire balancing act, Keplinger's Knights Valley Syrah and Grenache effortlessly weave a magical expression of scented oak and profound terroir. If predisposed, please open two days before you enjoy these wines, otherwise don’t touch them for at least five years.
The humblest apologies to Colette, can merely fail to compete: 'I was a boy when I met this Princess; deliriously aroused and inviting as all great seductresses are' – Keplinger."
Peter Birmingham – Sommelier & Consultant, Los Angeles
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