Keplinger, Diamond Bar, El Dorado County

Gosh I love Syrah and this is a lovely rendition with medium bodied purplish fruit offset by a ferrous minerality and a balsamic-tinged acidity, with classic Syrah notes of smoked bacon and roasted meats and green peppercorns. Hard to put down.

Oh boy - this was still tight when I opened it. We decanted for a couple hours and had it with lamb ragu. I should have opened it even earlier…well crafted but still had a lot of young acidity.

My notes are similar to CSimm1161 below. Disappointed in this bottle. At almost 10 years old, one would think the bitterness and astringency would subside, but that was not the case. After a few hours it got some better, but not much. Be sure to pop early and let it breath for hours for best outcome, but no promises…

Waited nearly two years since the previous bottle and this wasn't as good. P&P at cellar temp. Had the black fruits and spice you want in a Syrah, but tart; tart enough to hurt the score. I had the first glass by itself and the next two with bison rib eye. It definitely needed the food as that tamed the tartness a bit, but not enough to let the fruit shine through.

Deep ruby. On the nose, black and red ripe plum, black pepper, black current leaf, bramble, black pepper, slight medicinal, vanilla, char, earth and wet leaves (in short, pronounced intensity), on the palate dry, med (+) ripe and smooth tannins, med acidity, vibrant texture, full body and long finish. Great balance between fruit and structure, long finish, intense/concerntrated fruit core that persists, complex. Outstanding wine. Drinking well now and will hold for another 5-8 years easily.

Third of 3 ($40@) from a mixed auction lot of '13 Keplinger Rhones (this, a Caldera and a Lithic). Opened for an hour or so without an initial taste or smell; after the hour, on the nose and palate, blackberry paste, blueberries, earth, bacon fat, dried spice and pepper. Medium to dark purple, medium bodied, medium+ legs. Bracing acidity, medium+ tannins, no heat. Persistent, complex and intense. On the first night, this was all about Northern Rhone, with bracing acidity …

Tobacco and black fruits on the nose. Blackberries and blueberries dominate the flavor, with some stone and a hint of spice. Very dry. No shame in drinking now but I'll try the next bottle in a year or so.

Was not expecting to like this and was a little worried we were opening it too soon. Was drinking well. Nose was very typical syrah with some floral and spice notes, a bit of bacon fat. The palate was much lighter than we expected. More floral than fruity. Decent acidity. Tannins are prominent but not bitter. Finish is medium+. Just entering its drinking window. No rush.

Dark purple, inky colored with blueberry, blackberry, raspberry and black currant on the nose. On the palate, I taste black currant, blackberry and a stony minerality. This is a high-medium to full bodied wine with a fleshy/chewy mouthfeel with a medium-high tannic bite and high acidity that should soften with additional cellar time. Long, long finish that makes me think this will be quite drinkable for years to come. Nice.

How in the name of all that’s holy is anyone getting any flavor or semblance of the varietal out of this wine is beyond me. Constricted, astringent, and bitter as the day is long. This needs more time behind bars than Harvey Weinstein. Give it at least 2-3 years before considering to revisit. This is in the low/mid-80s at best right now if rating. Stop the insanity with all of these adjectives from others that describe anything related to fruit …

The 2013 Keplinger's are outstanding and this is no exception. Dark fruits to the start, a bit of funk mid way and wonderful long finish. Decanted and really came alive after about an hour. Try the next one in 2-3 years.

14.8% abv. Dark purple/black in glass. Nose of cigar tobacco, leather, blackberry, flowers, roasted walnuts. Alcohol whiff. Long, slow staining of tears. Crushed rock, dark fruits, chocolate covered cherries, sweet soy, modest tannins. Med plus mouthfeel. Very fine example of high elevation Cali Syrah.

Big fruit bomb, but balanced and open from the start. Better to serve on the warm side. Black fruit with a high concentration of alcohol at this time. I find the wine a bit hot and would be better in a few years. The wine has potential to score at 94 after it calms down. It is balanced right now, but just really young. I prefer this to the Hangman wine from Helen as it seems more balanced and complex. …

Great showing for this. Pop and pour and watch the Browns first preseason game. Purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, black pepper and is slightly gamey (in a good way). Juicy texture. Deep and tightly layered. Long finish. Just delicious but so much more. There is real depth and complexity here. A bit pricey but really good. I will need to check other vintages.