2018 Keplinger Lithic Shake Ridge Vineyard El Dorado Amador County 750 ml

Helen Keplinger is one of the most decorated and accomplished winemakers in Napa Valley: she’s been named Food & Wine magazine’s Winemaker of the Year, and made cult wines for Grace Family and Bryant, not to mention a 100-point Cabernet for Carte Blanche. But no bottles capture her craft better than those she makes under her namesake Keplinger label. 

The 2018 Lithic is a gorgeous homage to the regal wines of the Southern Rhône: In fact, Jeb Dunnuck asserts that it will “stand up to any number of great Châteauneuf-du-Papes.” A blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah from Ann Kraemer’s organically farmed Shake Ridge Vineyard in Amador County, it’s grown on well-draining soils high in quartz, basalt, soapstone, and shale. After co-fermentation and 18 months in mostly once-used and neutral French oak (just 15% new), the wine transmits that minerality beautifully. Rich and pure, it’s got loads of blackberry touched with baking spices, Sichuan peppercorn, rosemary, and finishes with a touch of citrus peel. A must-try from one of Helen’s favorite sites.