2018 Vermillion Red Blend California
Helen Keplinger is a rockstar winemaker if we ever saw one. She’s made profound wines for Grace Family Vineyards, Carte Blanche, and as far away as Priorat; she has already appeared on the cover of The Wine Spectator. Look for exotic wild raspberry jam, cinnamon, clove, and earthy tones. The palate is juicy and plush and will knock the socks off of any Rhône hound. This is a wine for every night, every dish, any time.
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2018 Vermillion is a blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon (with a few other varieties in there as well) and comes mostly from Sonoma (69%) yet with 31% from the Sierra Foothills. Made by Helen Keplinger, it has a beautiful perfume of raspberry and strawberry fruits as well as notes of white pepper and flowers. It’s ripe, seamless, and plush on the palate, with lots of Grenache sexiness, yet it stays nicely balanced and has fine tannins, all making for a beautiful wine well worth seeking out.