2022 Keplinger Sumo Shake Ridge Vineyard Red Blend Amador County 6pk 6x750ml

Keplinger Wines was founded in 2006 by winemaker Helen Keplinger and her husband DJ Warner, a project rooted in an obsession with Rhône varietals and the hillside vineyards capable of expressing them at their most profound. Helen holds an MS in Enology from UC Davis and built her craft at some of California's most elite addresses — Paradigm Winery, Bryant Family Vineyards, and Kenzo Estate — but it was three years immersed in Spain's Priorat region, working alongside consultant Claude Gros at Cellers Melis, that crystallized her winemaking philosophy: terroir is everything, and the winemaker's role is to listen.

Named Vinous Winemaker of the Year 2023 by Antonio Galloni, previously celebrated by Food & Wine Magazine in 2012, and featured on the cover of Wine Spectator in 2014, Helen is one of California's most decorated and sought-after winemaking talents. Keplinger remains a small-lot, single-vineyard operation — meticulous, minimal-intervention, and relentlessly focused on site.

Sumo is her Cote Rotie twist on Petite Sirah: 89% Petite Sirah co-fermented with 5% Viognier, then blended with 6% Syrah, all from the single-vineyard Shake Ridge in Amador County.

Shake Ridge is the key. Rocky, volcanic, organically farmed, and divided into three distinct Petite Sirah blocks. The first is 80% rock — tiny, thick-skinned berries that bring intense aromatics and dense structure. The second block sits on a western slope with slightly thinner skins, adding juicy mid-palate elegance. The third, north-facing and cooler, contributes vibrant, fresh fruit that keeps the wine from getting heavy.

The result is a wine that both Jeb Dunnuck and Antonio Galloni scored 94 points. Deep purple, layered with ripe black and blue fruit, chocolate, violet, black pepper, lavender, licorice, and clove. Medium to full-bodied with supple tannins and a rich, polished finish. Dunnuck calls it "light on its feet and graceful" despite the intensity. Galloni says it's "impeccably done" with "so much character and freshness."

This is Petite Sirah for people who think Petite Sirah is a blunt instrument. Pull the cork tonight — it'll drink beautifully over the next decade.