Keplinger 2019 Lithic GSM Shake Ridge Vineyard

Helen’s Tasting Notes: ”The 2019 Lithic is a blend of 38% Grenache, 36% Mourvedre, and 26% Syrah – all coming from Ann Kraemer’s incredible Shake Ridge Vineyard, situated at 1700’ in the Sierra Foothills of Amador County. Organically farmed to perfection, the extraordinary Sierra uplift soils, loaded with quartz, basalt, soapstone, and shale always combine to create wines of great purity, richness, and minerality. The Grenache, Mourvedre, and Syrah blocks are all on rock-filled slopes with excellent exposure and drainage. The hillside blocks were harvested in partial picks for optimal ripeness on four different dates, and combined into small co-fermentations, each with a different percentage of whole cluster grapes. The wine was aged in a combination of new (15%), once-used and neutral French Demi Muids for 18 months before being bottled without fining or filtration. The 2019 Lithic is deeply perfumed, with heady aromatics of lavender, boysenberry, strawberries, orange blossom, Darjeerling tea, leather, rose petal, and baking spices. The gorgeous, silky entry, opens to delicious flavors of red and purple fruits, clove, pot pourri, cinnamon stick, with a persistent to the ethereal, long finish. 295 cases produced.”

Jed Dunnuck 96 Points (2018): A darker, richer wine, the 2019 Lithic is a Southern Rhône-like blend of  38% Grenache, 36% Mourvedre, and 26% Syrah that’s all from a site in Amador County. Blackberries, smoked meats, pepper, and chocolate notes emerge from the glass, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with a rounded, seamless texture and terrific tannins. It’s a brilliant wine that will certainly stand up to any number of great Châteauneuf du Papes.

Notes: The 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.