2009 Keplinger Sumo
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Tasting notes
(75% petite sirah with 20% syrah and 5% viognier): Saturated ruby-blue. Blue fruits and bitter chocolate on the nose, plus citrus blossom and peach nuances from the viognier. Large-scaled and broad but with terrific floral lift for petite sirah. The orange peel, cardamom and coriander notes give surprising definition to this very dense, sweet wine. Finishes very long and pure, with serious tongue-dusting tannins but also enticing early sweetness. These 2009s offer compelling aromatic complexity.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2009 Sumo is super-sleek, polished and totally radiant, all qualities that are typical of the vintage. I especially like the plushness and depth of the fruit in the 2009. The round, sumptuous finish leaves a lasting impression.
The 2009 Sumo is super-sleek, polished and totally radiant, all qualities that are typical of the vintage. I especially like the plushness and depth of the fruit in the 2009. The round, sumptuous finish leaves a lasting impression. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024. 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