Gabby

8.9

Great! Welcome drinks at Kenzo. Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc . Very mineral because of the limestone — 7 months 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. — 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.

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. — a year ago

Gabby

9.4

Best one of the Kenzo tasting. 2020. sage, white pepper, blueberry, limestone, vanilla, cigar box — 7 months ago

Gabby

9.4

Always amazing - mineral because of the limestone and a bit of oak. Like dipping your feet in the ocean! The name stands for the fog that rolls in — 7 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. — a year ago

Gabby

9.3

Loved this! Red blend from Kenzo estate tasting. Pepper vanilla fig leather sage. 2 020 vintage — 7 months ago

Gabby

9.0

Kenzo tasting. 2020 vintage. cherry, dried strawberry, leather, spice, cigar box — 7 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. — a year 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