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. — 2 years ago

Tom Garland

9.4

Inspire Napa Valley Sat. afternoon tasting with Antonio Galloni. Panel includes:
Brad Grimes - winemaker Abreu
Helen Keplinger- Keplinger wine
Mary Maher - Silverado farming
Francois Peschon -accendo, vine hill ranch
Jason Smith- MS

WINES
2018 BV George de Latour
2019 Stags Leap SLV
2018 DVO Napa Valley Red
2017 Bond Quella
2019 Lingua Franca estate chardonnay
2019 Domaine de Bichery brut champagne

Each panel member picked a wine that had an impact on them. — 3 years ago

with Brenda

Tom Garland

9.5

Inspire Napa Valley dinner. Table with Cyril Chapellet and all wines from magnums.

Roasted beet heirloom salad
Unraveled paella
Bavarian cream puffs

Brion cab 2016
Chappellet Fredrick 2017 vineyard pinot
Keplinger 2016 el Dorado
Mayacamus 1989 750 bottle
Chappelellet 2012 Pritchard Hill cab
Larkin 2016 cab franc — 4 years ago

Raul Puga

9.5

So amazing and delicious — 5 years ago

Craig Otten

9.3

Happy Birthday Doug W. — 7 years ago

with Felisse

Jim Chen

9.0

It’s all about the long decant and day 2 — 8 years ago

Carl Fischer

9.3

The nose is full of citrus and wet rocks. Lots of lime on the palate, peach and a creamy finish. Great acidity. First white I’ve had made by Helen Keplinger and it’s delicious. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

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.

Nose of beautiful red, blue and violet florals. Strawberries, cranberries, cherries and blue fruits, softly layered bakings; cinnamon, clove, vanillin, some smoke & lightly grilled meats with delicate minerality.

Helen makes very feminine style Pinots & Cabernet.

Beautiful, elegant entry. Strawberries, cherries, cranberries, some pomegranate, plum with blueberries hues, soft, dark spices-clove, nutmeg, vanillin, cinnamon, notes of soft smokiness, lightly grill meats, fresh tobacco hues, finely crushed, limestone & rocks, dry top soils, beautiful, bright, fresh, dark, red, blue and violet florals, near perfect acidity with a gorgeous, well balanced, extremely well knitted and smartly polished two-minute finish w/o drop off.

Photos of, Christy & Helen, event tasting room, outside branding sign kiddy corner of restaurant Oenotri in downtown Napa and Silver Eagle Vineyard, — 2 years ago

Tom Garland

9.5

Inspire Napa Valley Sat night event...walk around tasting, dinner, auction at Round Pound estate.

Over 30 participating Wineries:
Sreaming Eagle
Bryant Estate
Dalla Valle vineyard
Memento Mori
Staglin Family
Vine Hill Ranch
Keplinger wines
Chappellet
TOR wines
Etc. — 3 years ago

with Brenda

Boris Mathiszik

9.1

We toasted with this beautiful chard to Jim Chen. Peay and Keplinger dominated his wine collection. RIP Jim, wish we could share this bottle with you. — 4 years ago

Deborah M

9.2

Friends in from New Orleans. Great wine and great.company is always a good combination. Smooth, not overly anything, well balanced, silky tannins. Cherries and chocolate. Winemaker Helen Keplinger — 6 years ago

James Green

10

Opened it Andy. Kudos to the team! — 7 years ago

Carl Fischer

9.3

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. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

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.

As some of you know, I am not the biggest champion of California Chardonnay. There are some exceptions and this is one of them.

This is a beautiful expression of how good they can be w/o too much new oak. This is also one not to be served over chilled. I’d say around 60 degrees.

The Reserve has amazing viscosity and mouthfeel. It is slightly honeyed, vanillin, soft caramel notes, slivered almonds, lemon custard, white stone fruits, green apple, tropical melons, understated white citrus, pineapple hues, just a touch of herbaceousness, gentle minerality, yellow lilies & flowers, very round acidity, it is lush, elegant as it can get, beautifully balanced with a smooth and smartly polished finish that last nearly two-minutes.

Photos of; Christy and Helen, their tasting room which is just past and kiddy corner of the entrance to restaurant Oenotri in downtown Napa. — 2 years ago

Shiho

9.3

渋過ぎない
深みのある風味 — 3 years ago

Tom Garland

9.4

Inspire Napa Walk Around Wine Tasting with:
Bryant Estates
Chappellet
Continuum Estate
Cliff Lede Vineyard
Eisele Vineyard
Favia Wines
Ferren Wines
Futo Wines
Harlan Estates
Keplinger Wines
Morley Family Vineyards
Rudd Estates
Staglin Family Vineyards
Vine Hill Ranch — 4 years ago

with Brenda

Jim Chen

9.2

With the Morris Duck and Peking Turkey. Nov 2019! Ah northern Rhône but closer to home. — 6 years ago

with Jeff

Patrick Derdeyn

9.2

I wanted to try another Hudson #syrah from the same vintage to contrast against the Keplinger. Similar fruit profiles, but very different winemaking. Where the Hangmans was rich, lush and open this is more tightly coiled. A little less alcohol, a touch more acidity, and a more savory wine with more meaty and iron notes. The Keplinger drinks great now but this wine should vastly improve and should really be something in about 10 more years. — 7 years ago

Dave Shein

9.3

Like a savory cherry tart! Yum. — 8 years ago

leon egozi

9.4

This is their new release cab. 👍👍👍 — 8 years ago