Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

Tasted at the winery with DJ Keplinger on 1/14/25. It was the second day they moved their tastings from their tasting room on Franklin to Arrow & Branch. Hellen made two or three of their past vintages and still have a relationship.

I think the day before I was headed there @Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7 sent me a bunch of scores Jeb had given a 💯 and or 98/99’s. This one Jeb had given a 💯 and many other Keplinger wines 98+.

I really like Hellen’s craft here and at; Kerr, Carte Blanche and Bryant when she was crafting those wines. But I am hesitant to give any wine a perfect score. I have found only 4 in tasting an estimated 25k plus wines over my wine life. Many of those I wrote detailed notes.

While this 23 really grabbed my attention at first sip, hard to say it merits a 💯. Will it add a point or two when it has had the right bottle evolution? Sure. It is just not there today. There 23 wines have not even received their labels. This one because of the embossed front is applied by hand. They will start shipping this one and the RBK in March.

It fruits are glorious from mid-dark reds & blueberries. The mouthfeel excellent as is the tannin structure. Helen is very adept at creating wine you can drink young and will improve over 20 yrs. It showed soft earthiness, spice, layered baking spices, fresh, soft tobacco/leather. Dark flowers to violets, grand acidity and a very refined, elegant long finish that lasts nearly two-minutes.

Also tasted:

- 23 RBK named after her father or grandfather. I can’t remember. It was as well excellent, 96-98.

- 22 Oakville Ranch that was very good as well, 95-96.

Both of these did not show their true self’s until I went back to them at the end of my tasting. They absolutely blossomed with time in the glass.

I forgot to take photos so I went to the web. Photos of Arrow & Branch & Helen & DJ Keplinger.

Enjoyed my nearly two hours with DJ. Salt of the earth kind of gentleman. — 5 months ago

Holly Zahn

9.8

Interesting taste, kinda floral to me, would drink again. $14 at spirit wine and craft, maybe less at total wine — 2 years ago

Brennan Roy

8.9

The residual sugar in this Portuguese Oceano Fernao Pires from Drink EEZY Craft Winery brings out floral notes of fruit blossoms with flavors of peach, mango, and papaya. Pineapple nose. Almost colorless. Refreshing and different. — 2 years ago

Brennan Roy

9.1

Calixto Cab Franc from Argentina is one of the best of its kind. I live in Virginia where Cab Franc is a specialty. This is better than any VA Cab Franc I’ve tasted. Big and leggy with little of the typical middle-tongue bitterness. Pleasant finish. — 2 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Château Garraud 2017 – Lalande-de-Pomerol
Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A Right Bank Bordeaux built on 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, this Lalande-de-Pomerol delivers approachability and charm while still showing off the structure that makes the appellation such a solid neighbor to Pomerol proper. (Educational edge: Lalande-de-Pomerol is often seen as “Pomerol’s little brother,” sharing similar terroir but offering more vibrant, earlier-drinking wines at a fraction of the price.)

Aromas & Flavors
Aromatic and fruit-driven from the first pour: ripe mulberry, black plum, and dark berries lead the way, balanced by fresh acidity. The palate mirrors the nose, with plum and blackberry ripeness, subtle earthy tones, and a lively freshness that keeps it vibrant.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with polished, silky tannins that glide across the palate. Balanced acidity adds lift, while the smooth finish lingers with dark fruit and a touch of refinement.

Winemaking Notes
The 2017 vintage, challenging in parts of Bordeaux, still yielded charming and aromatic reds in Lalande-de-Pomerol. Garraud used its clay-gravel soils and careful vinification to craft a wine that balances fruit ripeness with freshness—designed for drinking in its youth.

Food Pairing
Perfect with roasted chicken, duck breast, or pork tenderloin. For a simpler take, pair with mushroom pasta or a creamy risotto.

Verdict
An easy-drinking, polished Bordeaux that’s already in its prime. Fresh, aromatic, and vibrant, yet smooth enough to please even sophisticated palates. Drink now and enjoy the elegance of Merlot-driven Right Bank Bordeaux without waiting decades. Cheers! — a year ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

I was given this tasting kit they sometimes send to customers on their list at this year’s Pebble Beach Food & Wine.

Gorgeous nose that shows ruby, plush, slightly candied-gummy, floral fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, mulberries, gooseberries, black plum, slightly pan chard dark cherries, ripe strawberries & raspberries on the edge of the glass. Chocolate cake, plum pudding, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, some black pepper, mix of soft, dry, moist tobacco, barrel shavings to sandalwood, soft baking spices: light clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, moist volcanics & grey, wet clay, dry river stone, light dry herbs, dry crushed rock & brush with dry, perfumed florals that are; dark red, blue framed in a field of lavender & violets.

Gorgeous, seductive entry and mouthfeel. Buyers are going struggle not to open and drink these 21’s early. They are that good now and people that read this nonsense that I post almost never reads as such! But, I’d still hold to get full price of admission. Lithography craft & wine prices necessitate it. Floral, ripe, juicy fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, mulberries, gooseberries, black plum, slightly pan chard dark cherries, ripe strawberries & raspberries on the edge of the glass. Chocolate cake, plum pudding, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, dark spice with heat that cools as it sets, some black pepper, mix of soft, dry, moist tobacco, some black pepper, barrel shavings to sandalwood, soft baking spices: light clove & nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, most volcanics & grey, wet clay, dry river stone, dry herbs, dry crushed rock & brush with dry, perfumed florals that are; dark red, blue framed in a field of lavender & violets. Grand round acidity with a plush, rich, balanced, elegant finish’s that seems not to end, but falls on dry earth spice.

I really like this barrel selection & toast for their wines. Outstanding!

There are a host of people involved in making Lithology wines; on the ground, Winemaker/Geologist, Matt Sands. Assistant Winemaker is Mark Pittman. Consulting; the world’s largest Wine Consultant-Michel Rolland, Philippe Melka & Maayan Koschitzky whose resume includes, vineyards in Israel to Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle.

Photos of; my tasting kit, one of their single Vineyard Cabernet garage, facility and on the ground Winemaker, Matt Sands. — 2 years ago

Brennan Roy

9.1

My first Macabeo (Spain) is from Drink Eezy Craft Winery, one of those included in their Advent Calendar array. Creamy mouthfeel with vanilla and melon. Nice, long, buttered popcorn finish. Unusual and exceptional. — 2 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

When TRB started this label, I thought a primarily Cabernet Winemaker is going to make Pinot Noir? I wondered how his first vintage would be and while it wasn’t bad by any means, it wasn’t what this 2014 Silver Eagle is at this point. TRB has/is honed/honing his craft. This 2014 will likely continue to improve a bit going forward over the next three years for sure & maybe five. This 14 Silver Eagle is definitely hitting its stride. The nose shows the blue & purple fruits I enjoy on the Pinots I prefer to drink.

The nose reveals nicely ripe blackberries, black raspberries, plum, baked cherries & strawberries, blueberries, mulberries, dry cranberry & raspberries hues on the glass edges. Mid berry cola/licorice, soft baking spices-clove, some nutmeg & vanillin, dark, Asian/Indian spice mix, light mix of fresh & dry herbs, dark rich soil w/ dry leaves, limestone, dry top soil with fresh & withering dark, red, blue florals framed in a fresh violet field.

The palate shows good mouthfeel & wire to wire consistency. Juicy, ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, baked cherries & strawberries, blueberry & mulberry tones, pomegranate, cranberry & raspberries hues. Mid berry cola/licorice, soft baking spices-clove, some nutmeg & vanillin, warm caramel, toast, steeped fruit tea, dark, Asian/Indian spice mix with deep palate penetration & heat, light mix of fresh & dry herbs, dark rich soil w/ dry leaves, dry brush, sandalwood, grey volcanics. wet clay, sandstone & limestone powder, dry top soil with fresh & withering dark, red, blue florals framed in a fresh violet field. The acidity is excellent with a long, elegant, well; balanced, tensioned & structured finish that lasts minutes and lands nicely on dark spice as it sets.

I really enjoy this vineyard and some of the Winemakers that make Pinot from it.

Plenty of life left in this one. 8-10 years well stored.

Photos of, Rivers-Marie facility (2), Owner/Winemaker-Thomas Rivers Brown & beautiful prime Pinot clusters ready for harvest. — 2 years ago

Brennan Roy

8.9

Balanced berry fruits with pepper notes and long, earthy finish. Give this one a little time in the glass to open up. — 2 years ago

Brennan Roy

9.2

Superb PN from southwestern Washington state. Big, medium tannins, long finish. Lovely. — 2 years ago