As Oenovangelist subscribers are currently offered a select allocation of Keplinger wines for a limited time, I took the opportunity to taste through them myself and wanted to share my own impressions.
If there is a hallmark of Helen's winemaking style, it might be a toss up between texture and persistence. The wines are all beautiful with wonderful purity of fruit, focused and balanced. It is worth noting that DJ indicated all were on day 3 and none of the wines were showing any oxidation or dullness whatsoever.
2023 Zio Tony Ranch Chardonnay- Beautifully balanced wine that rather reminded me of a Corton Charlemagne I had recently, though a touch riper. It's loaded with layers of apple, Asian pear, peach and bright citrus notes with honeycomb and hints of hazelnut. It's medium bodied and has verve from balancing acidity. Though it has good acid, it also has a lengthy finish without becoming heavy or unctuous. It exhibits gorgeous ripeness along with considerable restraint.
2022 Opalus (Grenache)- Richly textured style of Grenache, with an entry of smoked herbs and meat, brambly red and purple fruit and streaks of sage, cocoa dust and a lovely mushroom-esque umami. There are undertones of cinnamon graham and the finish is generous and long.
2022 Fuego y Mar (Syrah)- Stunning wine! Absolutely beautiful. It enters with a delicacy rather of Pinot Noir and then builds into a voluptuousness of fruit focused on black cherry, plum, acai, blackberry and currant. There is a floral edge with slight herbal accents, but this is a fruit-focused Syrah. It maintains excellent balance and a very long finish. Really a gorgeous wine throughout, with the sweet spot between pretty and powerful. Think of the floral lift of a Cote Rotie underpinned by dense, ripe red and black fruit.
2022 Oakville Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon- This has a pretty nose of pure cassis. It's rather rare to find that anymore in Napa Cabernet without loads of oak influence.
Entry is spiced plum, cola and red and black currant. There are strong hints of cinnamon over strawberry/raspberry preserves and hints of vanilla. This is a sexy wine. It leans toward blueberry fruit on the finish. It has voluptuous fruit and intense perfume and flavor while maintaining verve and structure, which is impressive. It's a generous, giving wine that goes down easy. Lovely accents toward the finish of cocoa and marzipan with an overall fresh berry tart construction. Really, a beautiful Cabernet.
