2008 Keplinger Syrah Kingpin Rows
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Tasting notes
The 2008 Keplinger Syrah Kingpin Rows is a gorgeously pure, polished Syrah that exhibits notes of crème de cassis and creamy blackberry to go with graphite, wet stone like minerality, crushed flowers, and underbrush qualities on the nose. Elegant, full-bodied, and beautifully put together, with a seamless texture, perfect balance, and a classy, long and structured finish, this serious Syrah holds up beautifully to air, showing even better on the second day. It should age gracefully for upwards of a decade or more.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 2008 Kingpin Rows (100% Syrah from Pelkan Ranch) shows gorgeous intensity, focus and clarity. It is a beautifully delineated wine layered with considerable complexity. Dark blue/purple fruits, bacon fat and licorice wrap around the intense finish. Today the wine is quite bold and forward, especially in its fruit, but aromatic complexity and nuance should develop in bottle.
The 2008 Kingpin Rows (100% Syrah from Pelkan Ranch) shows gorgeous intensity, focus and clarity. It is a beautifully delineated wine layered with considerable complexity. Dark blue/purple fruits, bacon fat and licorice wrap around the intense finish. Today the wine is quite bold and forward, especially in its fruit, but aromatic complexity and nuance should develop in bottle. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2023. Helen Keplinger is the winemaker at Bryant, where she now also makes her own wines with her husband, Douglas. Keplinger credits the years she spent working in Priorat as shaping her philosophy on wine and life. These Rhone blends are made from hillside vineyards in Amador County, El Dorado County and Knights Valley. The wines are aged in French oak, 20-65% new, depending on the wine. Racking is kept to a bare minimum and the wines are neither fined nor filtered. Readers owe it to themselves to check out these pure, handcrafted wines. Tel. (707) 252-7417
(100% syrah): Rather stunted on the nose today; far less aromatic than the 2007. Then sweet, plush and slightly warm, with concentrated, ripe, smooth flavors of dark fruits and bitter chocolate. Finishes with substantial broad tannins and very good length. Extended aeration brought more smoky dark fruits and black olive. Like the 2007 version, this needs more time in bottle--or a serious decanting.