Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

@delectable This is their Petit Verdot

They have t made a Petit Verdot since 2018.

100% PV is tricky to make. Generally more of a structure grape for Bordeaux blends. But Helen has does a nice job here. It will require 5 plus yrs to round out but nice.

Dusty medium M+ tannins. Core of dark currents, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries & raspberries. Scorched earth, dark spice w/ palate heat, dry soils w/ leaves, herbs, clay, dry crushed rocks, gorgeous slightly candied, florals that are dark, red, blue with violets, nice acidity and a very balanced, well toned/structured, elegant finish that lasts two-minutes and long sets on earth & spice.

This will pick up a point or two with time. — 8 days ago

Jason Phillips

8.9

Bright, citrusy, with lemon, grapefruit, and guava. Very refreshing. — 3 days ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

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. — 2 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

@delectable this is their Sage Merlot.

First vintage for their Merlot.

This is big dark Merlot. Needs 5-7 yrs of aging.

If you put this in a Napa tasting, folks would call Bordeaux blend.

Big, meaty M+ tannins. Blackberries before dark cherries, black raspberries, dark spice, earthy dry soils, crushed rocks, herbs, tobacco, leather, candied flowers that are; dark, red, purple, could use more acidity but that may play out better later, deep finish that lasts minutes and long sets on earth & spice. — 8 days ago

Jason Phillips

9.3

Beautiful, dark color. 100% cab. Full bodied with excellent fruit. On the palate: pencil, tobacco, chocolate, and soil. Full bodied and luscious on the palate with silky finish. — 3 days 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. — 4 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

@delectable this is their Helicon.

This is gorgeous. Perfectly ripe, lush M tannins. Their round and tail into powdery. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, plum and strawberries. Dry herbs, dry tobacco w/ash, spice, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, red & dark bright florals, excellent acidity with balance, nice structure/ length with a two-minute finish that lands on earthiness. — 8 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Helen Keplinger makes Kerr. Helen in my mind,!is the best female winemaker since Cathy Corison.

Silver Eagle is one of my Pinot Vineyards in Napa/Sonoma.

Ripe, lush; coral & somewhat candied blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, plum, strawberries & blueberry heaven. Dark spice w/ , grilled meats, great dark, red & blue coral, balance for days. — 8 days ago

Brian S

9.3

First time drinking a bottle from the vineyard, well made, solid blue and red fruit, coffee, dark chocolate, black rock, bay leaf, should last for 10-15 years and only get btlwtter — 2 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

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.

The is 96+.

The nose shows really pretty, bright, floral, fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, dark cherries & baked strawberries. Pretty, soft baking spices, baking soda, vanillin, dark chocolate, caramel, dark, forest floor with leaves, smokiness, expresso roast, sandalwood, dark, red, blue florals framed in violets.

The palate is light & fresh and juicy fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, raspberries, plum, some strawberries and dark cherries. The tannins are beautiful, soft & supple, finely crushed rocks & limestone, dry river stone, dry herbs, dry twig, dry top soil, dark spice, mid intensity baking spices, vanilla, dry tobacco, soft leather, touch of lead pencil, fresh, bright, dark, red blue florals with violets, rainfall acidity, elegant, well balanced, beautifully knitted, great length and smartly polished, wire to wire long finish.

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