Kerr Cellars
2018 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Double Eagle"
Napa Valley AVA
Auction 24 | Lot No. 44
Vintage: 2018
Kerr Cellars
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
5 cases produced
Highlights
- Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the legendary Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard in the Rutherford nested appellation
- The Rutherford terroir translates into a beautifully lifted aromatic wine
- Artisanally created by Helen Keplinger from the very best hand-harvested Beckstoffer fruit
- Aging in 80% new French oak selected from the top barrel lot of the François Frères Cooperage
Description
Kerr Cellars and winemaker Helen Keplinger pay homage to Andre Tchelistcheff’s iconic winemaking from the Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard. This venerated Cabernet Sauvignon expresses the vineyard site nuances and microclimate of the Rutherford nested appellation. Rutherford's distinctive terroir known as Rutherford Dust translates into a seductive hint of earthiness with expressive notes of cassis, blackberry, dark cherry and plum. Showcasing a velvety, highly stylized and expressive mouthfeel with plush ripe tannins, this wine is testament that great wines are made in the vineyard and then shepherded into unveiling its full potential.
The Kerr Cellars historic Georges III block is north/south facing and produces wines of exceptional quality. Helen Keplinger’s relentless pursuit of fruit quality is evident in this 2018 vintage masterpiece.
Wine Facts
- Single vineyard wine
Helen Keplinger
Winemaker, Kerr Cellars
Helen Keplinger always loved rocks, dirt, art, science, and being outdoors – all which dynamically come together in winemaking.
After graduating from Smith College, she moved to California in 1998 to attend the MS program in Enology at UC Davis. Since UC Davis, she has worked with Heidi Barrett, Kathy Joseph, Claude Gros, Michel Rolland, and David Abreu. Since 2004, she has made wine for Cellers Melis (Priorat, Spain), Kenzo Estate, Arrow & Branch, Bryant Family Vineyards, and is currently the Winemaker for Kerr Cellars, Waterfall, Carte Blanche and Grace Family Vineyard and the Consulting Enologist at Force Majeure in Washington.
In 2006, Helen launched Keplinger Wines in Napa Valley, with a focus on small production, single vineyard Rhone varietals wines. Upon the first release, her husband, DJ Warner, joined the winery to help manage the business side of Keplinger. Since then, acclaim has been building, with press accolades naming Helen Food & Wine Magazine’s 2012 Winemaker of the Year and she graced the cover of Wine Spectator’s June 15, 2014 edition, with an inspired story by James Laube. She was also awarded a Smith College Medal in 2017 for excellence in her field.
Now also making Cabernet Sauvignon under her own label in addition to her Rhone varietal wines, Keplinger focuses on making seamlessly-crafted, terroir-driven wines from distinctive and diverse sites in Napa, Sonoma and the Sierra Foothills. All the vineyards are hillside or mountain sites, carefully farmed in collaboration with Keplinger for health, balance, and the highest quality. The wines are made in small lots, with close attention paid to every detail.
Keplinger constantly strives to make unique wines that are expressions of their vineyards and vintages. Today, production of ten boutique cuvees totals 1,800 cases, with a single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from the Oakville AVA has been added to the line up in 2014.
Country born: USA
Education: UC Davis MS Enology
Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years
Honors / Awards:
Smith College Award for Excellence in her field
Winemaker of the Year 2012 Food and Wine
Winemaking Philosophy:
Seamlessly crafted, terroir-driven wines from distinctive and diverse sites in Napa, Sonoma and the Sierra Foothills.
K. Laz Wine Collection
6484 Washington Street Suite C
Yountville CA 94599
707-320-3495
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from K. Laz Wine Collection:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switchback Ridge | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | Tabula Rasa | 27 (2023) |
| Kerr Cellars | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Double Eagle | 24 (2020) |
| SODHANI Vineyards | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Estate Grown | 24 (2020) |
| CAMi Vineyards | 2016 | Merlot | Calistoga | THS | 22 (2018) |
Winery Distribution
Kerr Cellars is distributed in the following markets. Please contact the winery directly for the most up-to-date distribution information and to explore commercial opportunities.
Domestic:
- Georgia (Eagle Rock Distributing )
- Nevada (Summit Wines & Spirits )
- Virginia (Z Wine Guy)
International:
- Canada - Alberta (Vintage West Wine Marketing)
- Canada - British Columbia (Vintage West Wine Marketing)
- Canada - Ontario (Vonterra)
- Canada - Quebec (Vineo)
- Canada - Saskatchewan (COOP Wine & Spirits)
- Singapore (Alfa International Pte Ltd)