Tom Garland

9.2

hour decant (some chunky sediment).  A deep dark magenta color.  On the nose:  subdued notes of dark fruit, herbaceous, dark chocolate, pencil shavings, clove.  Taste:  concentrated, silky, balanced wine with dark plum, currants, dark chocolate, coffee, and a long spiced loamy soil fimish.  YUM! — 12 days ago

Shay A

9.6

I feel like I haven’t opened a Napa cab (or any wine, for that matter) in recent memory that struck me the way this one did in terms of absolute peak drinking. Both fortunately (because I love the wines) and unfortunately (I was priced out of Realm a few years ago) this was undeniably in the zone amongst a table of ‘13 Bryant DB4, ‘07 Insignia, ‘12 Kapscandy Estate Reserve, and others.

Pop and pour. Extremely aromatic with dark fruits (more blue and black side of the spectrum) and dark florals (violets)…very Pritchard Hill. The texture of this wine is a modern marvel…how a 2013 100% Cabernet from PH can be this sexy/opulent but still so bright is beyond me. The rich and dark fruit is surrounded by graphite, espresso, dark cocoa, and sweet (not tart) cassis that carry the weightless yet flavor packed profile to a finish that lingers. Plenty of tannin and acid to keep this balanced for years, but this is absolutely the zenith of where it will be for balance of flavors. Don’t miss this window.

I haven’t been this star struck on a mid-aged Napa cab in a while, but this has it all. After opening the 2015 Realm Dr Crane earlier this year, this was more impressive (and DrCrane is my favorite vineyard). Wish Realm was still in my “realm” of purchasing! — 8 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Some of you may know this producer. Others might be thinking could this be Steve Kerr’s - Warriors Coach and former NBA player on those great Chicago Bulls teams own label. No, it is not. It is former women’s LPGA player, Christy Kerr.

If you are not familiar with them, Christy and her Winemaker, Helen Keplinger make some outstanding wines. Helen’s resume consists of working with some of the best names in winemaking…Heidi Barrett, Kathy Joseph, Michel Rolland, and David Abreu. Since 2004, her resume also includes; Cellers Melis (Priorat), Kenzo Estate, Fort Ross, Sarocka, Scullly, Arrow & Branch, and Bryant Family Vineyards. She also makes her own wine under Keplinger Wines.

Additionally, Helen’s own label, her Keplinger 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon RDK was recently given a 💯 by Vinous Media.

This is 94-95.

The nose shows floral & candied fruit of; blueberries, black plum, plum, dark cherries & baked strawberries. Expresso, some grilled meats, touch of black pepper, sweet, dark spice, black licorice, crushed rocks, bark, turned earth, dry top soil, dry twig, hints of eucalyptus, fresh & withering, dark, red, blue florals with lavenders & violets.

Palate fruits are a bit on the dryer side. Blackberries, black raspberries, plum, deep strawberries, dark cherries & creamy raspberries. Beautiful, dark spice, mid intensity baking spices-touch of clove & nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, beautifully, soft earth & minerality, rich, dark soils, black licorice, dark cola, soft leather & tobacco, hints of lead pencil shavings, some dry herbaceous notes as it lingers, mixed bright florals for days, excellent acidity, well structured & balanced, nicely tensioned, good length and smartly polished finish that lasts two-minutes.

Photos of; sitting area of the tasting room, Cristy Kerr, outside branding sign kiddy corner of Restaurant Oenotri in downtown Napa and tasting bar. — 2 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Some of you may know this producer. Others might be thinking could this be Steve Kerr’s - Warriors Coach and former NBA player on those great Chicago Bulls teams own label. No, it is not. It is former women’s LPGA player, Christy Kerr.

If you are not familiar with them, Christy and her Winemaker, Helen Keplinger make some outstanding wines. Helen’s resume consists of working with some of the best names in winemaking…Heidi Barrett, Kathy Joseph, Michel Rolland, and David Abreu. Since 2004, her resume also includes; Cellers Melis (Priorat), Kenzo Estate, Fort Ross, Sarocka, Scullly, Arrow & Branch, and Bryant Family Vineyards. She also makes her own wine under Keplinger Wines.

Additionally, Helen’s own label, her Keplinger 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon RDK was recently given a 💯 by Vinous Media.

This is a 92+. Tasted pop & pour. I would also like to try this again in 4-5 more years. Think it would show some improvement.

The nose on the Sonoma was darker more brooding. Yet, still shows femininity. Blackberries, black raspberries, poached strawberries, cherries, plum, dry cranberries and hovering blueberry hues, delicate baking spices, some dark spice, and bright red, dark, blue florals set in violets.

The Sonoma was a bit lean on the palate…very light on its feet and elegant. Nicely, ripe; blackberries, poached strawberries, dry cranberries, pomegranate notes, some plum & blueberries. Soft baking spices-(light clove, cinnamon, touch of nutmeg) with a edge, lightly grilled meats, soft dark spice, some light, fresh tobacco, sandalwood, excellent acidity with a beautiful, elegant, rounded finish that lasts just under a minute.

Photos of; sitting area in their tasting room, Christy Kerr, branding sign outside kiddy corner of restaurant Oenotri in downtown Napa and their tasting bar. — 2 years ago

Vijay Parikh

9.4

Yes infanticide! Double decanted and through a aerator plus a two hour decant. It shows amazing promise but it’s likely fifteen or more years in the future which I don’t have! — 3 years ago

Shay A

9.5

This was my contribution for a 10-yr retrospective of Napa cab with a local group. All wines (16 of them) were tasted blind. Others of note were Cardinale, Larkmead, Bryant Family, Vineyard 29, Corra and Jacquelyn To-Kalon.

My first experience with this wine, and when I acquired it, I wasn’t aware it was a 100 pointer. I’ve had many Hall wines but this is definitely their most structured wine. It’s fruit forward but in no way close to their other offerings. At 100% cab, it drinks like it. I let this breathe from bottle for about 2hrs before it was thrown in a decanter for another 2-3hrs and consumed. I had a splash at pop and it was crazy coiled, underripe and dusty. When I came back to it later (albeit blind, so I’m looking at my notes), it sported dark fruit on both the nose and the palate. Dark cocoa dipped black cherries, ripe blueberries and blackberries, as well as cassis and espresso aromatically. There was also a bit of a lavender/floral note that gave it a unique quality. On the palate, it eventually smoothed out beautifully, but was powerful the entire time. Dense and rich with added notes of fig, baking spices, and cocoa dusted fruits. One of those wines that makes you think overpowering, but then dials it down to silk on the finish. I think this is just entering a prime drinking window. Bummer I don’t have more. — 6 years ago

Martinez

9.5

Napa at its best. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Cabernet Franc (22%) and Petit Verdot (18%) from the estate on Pritchard Hill in Oakville, (not far from Colgin and Bryant Family), including fruit from the Mondavi family’s famed and controversial To Kalon vineyard. Silky, opulent, balanced. Well integrated oak. Dried fruit. Hints of vanilla, chocolate — 6 years ago

Tom Garland

9.5

hour decant(some fine/cloudy sediment).  A striking dark garnet with bricking.  On the nose:  dark fruit/blueberry, cedar, smokey oak, mushroom, herbaceous.  Taste:  opulent, seamless, silky wine with blackberry/plum, loamy soil, iron, licorice, glycerin, and a spiced chocolate mocha long never-ending finish.  YUM! — a month ago

Shanna Goadner

10

Very smooth! Great flavor. — 10 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

8.9

2008 vintage. Decanted and tasted after two hours. Some fine sediment. Ripe, plummy nose. Medium-heavy body. Ripe, plummy flavors. Pushed through approx 1/8 of a glass and just couldn’t any more any longer. Lacking any respectable semblance of balance. And I thought the old '90's Bryant Family Cabs came in as über-low, strafing fruit bombs…10.25.24. — 2 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Some of you may know this producer. Others might be thinking could this be Steve Kerr’s - Warriors Coach and former NBA player on those great Chicago Bulls teams own label. No, it is not. It is former women’s LPGA player, Christy Kerr.

If you are not familiar with them, Christy and her Winemaker, Helen Keplinger make some outstanding wines. Helen’s resume consists of working with some of the best names in winemaking…Heidi Barrett, Kathy Joseph, Michel Rolland, and David Abreu. Since 2004, her resume also includes; Cellers Melis (Priorat), Kenzo Estate, Fort Ross, Sarocka, Scullly, Arrow & Branch, and Bryant Family Vineyards. She also makes her own wine under Keplinger Wines.

Additionally, Helen’s own label, her Keplinger 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon RDK was recently given a 💯 by Vinous Media.

All the reds I had were feminine in style. If you like bold, meaty wines, these might not be for you. This only 92+ due to its vegetal characteristic on the nose and palate.

The nose reveals fruits are beautiful & floral; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, poached strawberries, dark cherries and blueberries hues. Soft baking spices, dark spices, mixed berry cola, delicate minerality, sweet, dark, rich soils, whiff of pepper, sadly some hues of green pepper & florals that are dark, red, blue set in violets.

The palate soft and elegant on entry. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum, strawberries & blueberry hues. Dark palate piercing spices with heat as it lingers, very soft baking spices-cinnamon, clove & vanillin, light, fresh tobacco, soft leathery tones, most clay, mid palate a good presence of pyrazine-vegetal/green pepper (fruit not quite ripe which is surprising from this vineyard), excellent bright florals, good acidity and a well knitted, balanced, elegant finish.

Photos of, sitting lounge in the tasting room, Winemaker Helen Keplinger, tasting room wall and tasting bar. — 2 years ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.3

We opened this the 2017 Bryant Family DB4 Red Wine Blend. This is from St. Helena, California Napa Valley. Blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot.

On the nose is black cherry, cherry, blackberry, blueberry, black currant, herbaceous, brambles and forest floor.

On the palate is black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, black currant, herbaceous, pepper, vegetal, licorice and earth.

This wine is full bodied with a smooth mouthfeel medium + acidity and medium + firm grainy tannins that give you a long dark fruit earthy finish. Enjoy the remainder of your weekend and lets have a great week ahead. Please stay safe and healthy. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 3 years ago

Tom Garland

9.5

Inspire Napa Valley Sat night event...walk around tasting, dinner, auction at Round Pound estate.

Over 30 participating Wineries:
Sreaming Eagle
Bryant Estate
Dalla Valle vineyard
Memento Mori
Staglin Family
Vine Hill Ranch
Keplinger wines
Chappellet
TOR wines
Etc. — 3 years ago

with Brenda

Shay A

9.5

A friend had a “reduction party” as he was needing to thin out his cellar. Definitely a party I’m happy to attend!

Had the 2012 Odette Reserve or 2012 Bryant Family not been on the table, this may have won the night. Whereas the other two were drinking deliciously, this displayed more youthful notes than I expected. The fruit here was really bright...candied black cherries, fresh blueberries and blackberries, baking spices, toasted oak, and savory charcoal. Nicely compact on the palate...bing cherries dusted in dark chocolate shavings, Black Forest cake, sandalwood, and smoked meat. If opening now, decant for a few hours. — 6 years ago

with Mark and Weston

Matt Nason

9.2

Who gives a shit what it tastes like, Kobe Bryant is no longer with us. I’m from Cali and you couldn’t be more devastated. Pouring a taste out of this to Kobe. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

Tasted at the winery with DJ Keplinger on 1/14/25. It was the second day they moved their tastings from their tasting room on Franklin to Arrow & Branch. Hellen made two or three of their past vintages and still have a relationship.

I think the day before I was headed there @Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7 sent me a bunch of scores Jeb had given a 💯 and or 98/99’s. This one Jeb had given a 💯 and many other Keplinger wines 98+.

I really like Hellen’s craft here and at; Kerr, Carte Blanche and Bryant when she was crafting those wines. But I am hesitant to give any wine a perfect score. I have found only 4 in tasting an estimated 25k plus wines over my wine life. Many of those I wrote detailed notes.

While this 23 really grabbed my attention at first sip, hard to say it merits a 💯. Will it add a point or two when it has had the right bottle evolution? Sure. It is just not there today. There 23 wines have not even received their labels. This one because of the embossed front is applied by hand. They will start shipping this one and the RBK in March.

It fruits are glorious from mid-dark reds & blueberries. The mouthfeel excellent as is the tannin structure. Helen is very adept at creating wine you can drink young and will improve over 20 yrs. It showed soft earthiness, spice, layered baking spices, fresh, soft tobacco/leather. Dark flowers to violets, grand acidity and a very refined, elegant long finish that lasts nearly two-minutes.

Also tasted:

- 23 RBK named after her father or grandfather. I can’t remember. It was as well excellent, 96-98.

- 22 Oakville Ranch that was very good as well, 95-96.

Both of these did not show their true self’s until I went back to them at the end of my tasting. They absolutely blossomed with time in the glass.

I forgot to take photos so I went to the web. Photos of Arrow & Branch & Helen & DJ Keplinger.

Enjoyed my nearly two hours with DJ. Salt of the earth kind of gentleman. — 5 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Some of you may know this producer. Others might be thinking could this be Steve Kerr’s - Warriors Coach and former NBA player on those great Chicago Bulls teams own label. No, it is not. It is former women’s LPGA player, Christy Kerr.

If you are not familiar with them, Christy and her Winemaker, Helen Keplinger make some outstanding wines. Helen’s resume consists of working with some of the best names in winemaking…Heidi Barrett, Kathy Joseph, Michel Rolland, and David Abreu. Since 2004, her resume also includes; Cellers Melis (Priorat), Kenzo Estate, Fort Ross, Sarocka, Scullly, Arrow & Branch, and Bryant Family Vineyards. She also makes her own wine under Keplinger Wines.

Additionally, Helen’s own label, her Keplinger 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon RDK was recently given a 💯 by Vinous Media.

This a blend of 70% Cabernet, 32% Cab Franc & the rest Petit Verdot. Aged in 70% new oak & 30% used oak for 18 months. 94-95.

Nose of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, strawberries & raspberries, blue & purple fruit hues. Some smoky notes, soft baking spices, well toasted bread, baking soda, elegant minerality & earth with bright, dark, red, blue flowers set in violets.

The palate shows, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, strawberries, creamy raspberries, fine tannins that show a little meatiness & tarriness, dark spice with some heat as it lingers, baking spices-touch of nutmeg/clove, cinnamon, vanillin, finely, crushed, limestone & rocks, dry top soil, dry tobacco, slightly used leather, dark, rich earth, dry top soil, dry herbaceous notes, black licorice, mid berry cola,fresh & withering dark, red, blue in a field of violets, excellent acidity well balanced, softly tensioned, good length and wire to wire well polished finish.

Photos of; sitting area in the tasting room, Winemaker- Helen Keplinger, tasting room bookcase and bar. — 2 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Some of you may know this producer. Others might be thinking could this be Steve Kerr’s - Warriors Coach and former NBA player on those great Chicago Bulls teams own label. No, it is not. It is former women’s LPGA player, Christy Kerr.

If you are not familiar with them, Christy and her Winemaker, Helen Keplinger make some outstanding wines. Helen’s resume consists of working with some of the best names in winemaking…Heidi Barrett, Kathy Joseph, Michel Rolland, and David Abreu. Since 2004, her resume also includes; Cellers Melis (Priorat), Kenzo Estate, Fort Ross, Sarocka, Scullly, Arrow & Branch, and Bryant Family Vineyards. She also makes her own wine under Keplinger Wines.

Additionally, Helen’s own label, her Keplinger 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon RDK was recently given a 💯 by Vinous Media.

They shared with me a story about a vineyard name fight. I don’t completely recall it. Divided attention tasting and writing. However, he drew parallels to Stag’s Leap apostrophe story.

All the reds I had were feminine in style. If you like bold, meaty wines, these might not be for you. 94-95.

Beautiful elegant nose. Yet, broods just a touch. Candied & floral fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, plum, cherries and purple hues, softly layered baking spices, understated dark spice and bright florals that are blue, dark & red framed in violets.

The palate shows candied & floral fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, poached strawberries, black raspberries & cherries. A couple of their reds threw me a bit of a deductive curve but kept coming up baking soda notes. Soft, powdery, delicate volcanic minerals, dry top soils, soft, dark spice with some gentle heat as it sets, not over the top baking spices, black licorice, dry tobacco, soft leather, soft barrel notes, fresh, dark, red, blue flowers, excellent acidity, smooth as silk, elegant, well balanced, well polished finish that lasts 90 seconds.

Photos of; tasting sitting lounge, Christy Kerr, the branding sign out front and kiddy corner of restaurant Oenotri in downtown Napa and tasting bar. — 2 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

This is the last fruit MH will get from Stagecoach. Gallo bought the vineyard. Seems the 1,300 acre site deal will help Gallo grow Orin Swift and Louis Martini, and down the road it may help it with new projects. Producers who purchased Stagecoach fruit include; Bryant Family Vineyard and Dalla Valle. Krupp sells fruit to more than 90 wineries, including Alpha Omega, Caymus, Duckhorn and Pahlmeyer.

Pretty nose with perfume, candied, purple florals. A lot beauty and elegance.

Beautiful tannins, soft, supple and dusty. Feel tiny in the mouth but are sweet & tarry. Ripe, juicy, blackberries, black raspberries, purple fruits, plum & strawberries. Powdery rocks, dry, river stone, light, fresh tobacco, used leather, steeped fruit tea, touch of fresh bay leaves, dark, rich soil, black licorice, chocolate cake, berry fruit cola, fresh, red, dark, purple and blue florals. Excellent rainfall acidity. Well structured, nice tension with very good balance. The long finish starts juicy, fruity and mixes in the soft earth. Lasts minutes. Hard to resist now and easy to drink young but would love to try this again in 10-15 years. — 3 years ago

Shay A

9.4

On my first trip out to Napa (2015), Jarvis was one of the favorites, and so we went back in 2016 and again in 2018. We go to Napa every year, and it’s one of the only wineries we have visited multiple times.

This was part of a retrospective on 2012 Napa cabs, alongside Shafer HSS, Scarecrow, Morlet CdV, Bryant DB4, Dominus, Pulido Walker Melanson, Kapscandy, Buccella Cuvee Katrina Eileen and others. Definitely the most restrained.

For some reason, I always get a streak of green peppercorn on all of the reds from Jarvis. It’s not off putting, just a signature of the winemaking. I’ve never found these wines to be overblown/high alcohol. They aren’t quite Bordeaux like, but they are clearly in between current Napa style and a restrained bridge to Bordeaux. This 2012 was true to the above. Aromatics here has green peppercorn, tar, underripe black fruits and a very fragrant potpourri note. Even after being open a few hours this was strong with zippy acidity surrounded by pepper crusted blackberries, mocha, black cherries and even some leather (not Brett driven, though). Blind, maybe someone takes this to left bank Bordeaux in a ripe vintage…but the kiss of sweetness is hard to take away from Napa. Wonderfully delicious and complex Cabernet starting to enter a great drinking window.

— 4 years ago