2016 Keplinger Lithic
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Tasting notes
A blend of 40% Grenache, 35% Mourvèdre and 25% Syrah from Shake Ridge Ranch, aged for 19 months in 30% new oak. Very dark garnet. Smells of strawberry, black cherry and earth. Earthy, muscular tannins wrap around a core of dark-cherry and strawberry flavours shot through with herbs and flowers, and juicy with fresh acidity. Excellent. (AY)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
The 2016 Lithic is bright, energetic and pulsing with energy. Dark red and purplish berry fruit, rose petal, mint and spice all flesh out in this beautifully delineated Mourvèdre/Grenache/Syrah blend. Sweet floral notes reappear on the finish, adding a final kick of freshness. This is such a gorgeous wine.
This is very tight and layered with beautiful plum and blackberry character and hints of dried herbs. Full-bodied, dense and focused. Chewy and tightly wound, but shows polish and focus. Solid. Grenache, mourvèdre and syrah. Drink now.
Another release from the Sierra Foothills, the 2016 Lithic comes from vines planted in 2002 and 2006 and is a blend of 41% Grenache, 32% Mourvèdre, and the rest Syrah that saw some stems in the ferments and 16 months in 15% new, larger barrels. This medium to full-bodied effort has beautiful elegance and purity as well as a great nose of blueberries, ground pepper, wild strawberries, and violets. It’s another Châteauneuf du Pape look-alike that does everything right and is up with some of the top GSM blends coming out of California today.