Will Stanley

9.4

I’ve been excited to revisit Duncan Savage’s eponymous red from the 2018 vintage, which I last tried around four years ago having just shaken off a bout of Covid, senses struggling. Even then, it was clear how promising this wine was, and now, with a little more bottle age, it’s absolutely singing. It’s a pure, bright fruited 100% Syrah which has a tremendous savoury character, with a telltale bolt of iron on the nose. On the palate it has enormous structure, with sappy blood orange fruit and white pepper, and wonderful minerality. This is such an utterly drinkable wine, with more than enough in the tank for another decade or two. Wonderful stuff. — 18 days ago

romo

9.5

Last week Duncan told me to open these. Holy shit. Wife drank most of it. Bought on release, all the adolescent tannin and hyper fruit have mellowed. Reminds me of Gonon with the salinity, the focus, and the scary balance at 14.7%. A meditation. — a year 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. — a year ago

F Harding

8.9

Drank with Duncan with Roast Lamb in Deal — 3 months ago

F Harding

9.5

25/12/24
Duncan and I drank on Christmas Day in Deal, Kent. — 6 months ago

Paul T HB

9.6

I can only imagine what this will be like in 10 more years. Unfortunately I had to open this way too early to make sure I didn’t need to pull a credit from a new store that I had bought a few bottles from, my 2019 Kerr were toasted from effects of heat. So had to make sure this wasn’t another bad bottle. As soon as I pulled the cork I knew it was just fine, tried a sip then corked back up then decanted the next day for 3 hours to enjoy with some Wagyu Rib Cap from Snake River. Fantastic combo. Took me forever to find a 2013 Jones at a fair price, bummer I had to open so soon. — a year ago

Ely Cohn

8.9

Good, but goes down a little harsh and with more sour and crunch than I remember since I first tried a couple years ago. Pours with a brick filter draped over dark crimson. Beefy bloody notes hanging around with magic marker upfront, then averages itself out with fruits and herbs and becomes altogether a vibrant lighter thing. Little hints of iodine and violet - just barely. — 2 years ago

Chris

9.9

This '02 Merlot magnum was off the chart incredible. The Duncan family is in a league of their own. — 4 months ago

F Harding

9.5

30/11/24
Duncan and I drank at home in Edgbaston — 6 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.

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. — a year ago