Ferren 2014 Lancel Creek Chardonnay. Winemaker Matt Courtney, former assistant to Helen Turley, The Goddess of Wine, at Marcassin. Back up the truck, and get all the Ferren you can afford. Petroleum and toasty oak along with peaches, pears and spice box on both the nose and palate. Also picking up some butterscotch and toasted marshmallow. Super lush and creamy texture. Decant the mofo out of this one. It will gain complexity and weight. Tremendous finish. One of the best Chardonnays I've tasted in quite some time. Right up there with Marcassin in my estimation. Nice job Matt! — 7 years ago
with jonathan lee and helen wang, pittsburgh, pa — 8 years ago
with Tyson, Joey & Laura — 8 years ago
A mellow, elegant and refined Pinot. Soft earthy pinot flavours supported by generous helping of black cherry and strawberry fruit, with a hint of vanilla to help it all down. Silky tannins providing a soft smooth mouthfeel. Tastes a lot more expensive and a lot older than it was. Wifey says “yummmm”, who am I to disagree! — 8 years ago
Kapcsándy Family Winery found its place in the sun when it launched, with Helen Turley at the helm. She's since moved on, but Kapcsándy continues to garner 100 point scores from Robert Parker. Certainly, the 2007 State Lane Napa Valley Estate Cuvée is both multifaceted and voluptuous with layers of cola, black cherries, blackberries, butterscotch, espresso grounds, smoke, and tar. It's still tightly wound, with firm tannins drenched in black fruit, bittersweet chocolate, peppercorns and sun dried tomato. — 9 years ago
Tried this at La Toque in Napa and loved it so much, I bought 6 bottles the next day from Helen and DJ. I've been buying it ever since...long before she made the cover of WS. — 11 years ago
Joey Tensley is my hero! The man makes magic in the glass and his Syrahs are legendary. There is nothing that I have tried that I didn’t love. Colson Canyon is their signature grape but everything they touch becomes magic. Better and better all night as it opened up. — 6 years ago
Uncle Joey dinner at Animal — 7 years ago
with jon and helen, pittsburgh, pa. nov 2016 — 8 years ago
$65 at Helen — 8 years ago
Love finding new labels! — 8 years ago
The Helen of Troy of Greek wines. Elegant, restrained raspberry, pomegranate and caramel. A tasty wine, but it lacked the acidity I would have liked to see for it to be paired with the lamb chops. — 9 years ago
Just lovely Viognier, Rousanne, Marsanne blend from Shake Ridge. Bravo Helen and DJ! — 9 years ago
Thanks Genie! — 9 years ago
The Blue Slide has always been my favorite bottling of all the Martinellis that Helen makes. Her personal favorite as well. Still with a few more years of life in it. — 11 years ago
Very nice lush fruity oak. Wonderful with lamb! — 6 years ago
I tried this right out of the bottle and was a little worried - super tight and one dimensional - but after two hours open it was singing and I was smiling. The nose has a more savory profile but the palate is full of bright red fruits with crushed gravel on the finish. Super smooth - the fruit and spice from the Grenache keeps the gaminess/savory flavors of the Syrah in check while the Mourvèdre adds richness. Helen Keplinger is a genius when it comes to these new world “old world blends” - I have yet to have one from her that hasn’t been fantastic. — 6 years ago
with jon, helen, steve in pittsburgh — 8 years ago
Amazing wine with an incredible depth of flavor. Dark berries, tea and a bit of camphor on the nose, incredibly layered and soft on the palate with black berries, bright fruits and a hint of minerality - silky smooth tannins and a long finish. This is drinking really well right now. Made by Helen Keplinger in 2010; Mike Hirby took over with the 2011 vintage (which wasn't released). The estate is hands-down one of the most beautiful in Napa. Very small production (under 150 cases). — 8 years ago
Helen the Miracle Maker — 9 years ago
Love it.. Very smooth, mild..Joey said pretty good — 9 years ago
Chardonnay a la Helen — 11 years ago
Steve Anderson
My favorite of the four Keplinger wines poured. Very approachable now for a young Petit blend. Nice to meet Helen. — 6 years ago