Helen & Joey

Joey Tensley

Fundamental Central Coast Red Blend

Very jammy and rich. Loved the spicy finish. — 5 months ago

Tensley

Turner Vineyard Syrah 2007

Less richness and ripeness than the Thompson, this shows a bit of green tobacco aromas, northern Rhône-like, Turner was, I believe, the coolest climate of the Syrah vineyards Joey has used (and was always my favorite Tensley Syrah), should effortlessly age 7-10 more years, long, lingering finish, terrific!! — 2 years ago

Jim Powers
with Jim
Severn, Tom and 6 others liked this

Pahlmeyer

Napa Valley Merlot 1997

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!

Deep ruby in color with a wide reddish /brick rim.

Full bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity and mouthfeel.

Showing blackberries, black currants, plums, earth, cedar, leather, chocolates, tobacco, mildew, light vinaigrette and black pepper.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 25 year old Merlot is a tad tired, but still very enjoyable.

I've had this Merlot before, but it was a more recent vintage. I have a feeling it's this specific bottle that is flawed. It might be improper storage.

Big tannins show up after 4 hours in a decanter.

Helen Turley was the wine maker. Robert Parker 96 points.

Regardless of how it is showing now, it's always nice to try these kind of wines.

A blend of 85% Merlot with 15% Cabernet Sauvignon.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$100 (current vintage).
— 4 years ago

Juan, Ted and 16 others liked this

Helen & Joey

Alena Single Vineyard Pinot noir 2016

Lovely, light and full of character. — 6 years ago

Alessandro, Randall and 10 others liked this

St. Amant Winery

The Road Less Traveled Tempranillo 2018

Shared with Joey....I mean Jodi — 6 years ago

Paul, Neal and 1 other liked this
Jay Kline

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Eden Road

Canberra Shiraz 2012

Love these cool climate Shirazes from Canberra District. A riot of white pepper and spice. Medium bodied with earthy minerality with some charcuterie notes. Short term cellaring from this point. Took a bottle to the UK 23 weeks later on 26th July 2019 and had it with chicken at sister Helen and Nick’s place. Consistent tasting notes as above. — 7 years ago

Daniel, Clive and 9 others liked this

Vermillion Wine (Helen Keplinger)

Vermillion California Grenache Blend 2019

Ted
9.3

My favorite of the last 3 vintages. I always look forward to trying this wine. Blood orange and black licorice. Looks like the Yanks are in trouble. — 9 months ago

Jeni
with Jeni
Ron, Tom and 11 others liked this

Joey Tensley

Fundamental Central Coast Pinot Noir

Nice Pinot with a little spice. Raspberries, tea, with nice acidity and long finish. Drank 2021 — 2 years ago

Kerr Cellars

Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot Blend 2017

Somm David T
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

Ming, Paul and 12 others liked this

Currahee Vineyard & Winery

Sunrise Peach Wine

Jay
9.0

Bought in Helen GA, but enjoyed at home in TX 🇺🇸 — 5 years ago

Markus Wine Co.

Markus Joey Insieme Torrontés Riesling

Nice daytime white in hot weather — 6 years ago

Martinelli

Jackass Vineyard Zinfandel 2009

inky purple; licorice, plum, black cherry, tar, vanilla, spearmint; dense, powerful black fruit, exotic spices, long velvety finish, surprising balance for 16.7% ABV; sourced from 130 year-old head-trained vines in the steepest non-terraced hillside vineyard in Sonoma County, Helen Turkey was consultant — 7 years ago

Severn, Shay and 1 other liked this

Joey Tensley

Fundamental White Grenache Blanc Blend 2023

Beautiful white blind, very focused, pear, honey, oyster shell, green olive. Perfect balance of new world fruit and old world handling. — a year ago

Patricia Green Cellars

Helen Dusschee Freedom Hill Vineyard Tempranillo Rosé 2020

I strongly dislike Rosé and I LOVE this wine! — 2 years ago

Tensley

Colson Canyon Vineyard Syrah 2020

Delectable Wine
9.4

The 2020 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard is a dense, potent wine. The purity of the fruit is remarkable. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2020 is still incredibly primary. Inky red/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, menthol and rose petal open with a bit of coaxing. All this needs is time and a bit more polish. As always, the Colson Canyon Syrah is one of the most distinctive wines in Joey Tensley's range. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2022)
— 4 years ago

William Hill Estate Winery

North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon

Great wine I had at dinner at Joey — 4 years ago

Fratelli Ponte

Barbera d'Asti Superiore 2016

Cat sitting gift from Helen — 6 years ago

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

2/16/2020 1 liter bottle $65 from Ashley shared with Joey, Macy & Korey.Tastes of blackcherry, chocolate, deliciousness! Smooth and Velvety - has slow legs, young wine, not complex. — 6 years ago