Keplinger Lithic Amador County Rhone Blend 2015 750 ml

95 points James Suckling

 An aromatic wine with granite and dark-berry character. Quartz, too. Full-bodied and dense, yet agile. Layered and focused. A fantastic wine. Grenache, Mouvedre, and Syrah. Impressive texture and balance. So in harmony. Co-fermented.  (5/2018)

94 points Wine Spectator

 Plush, polished and well-knit, with vibrant blackberry, crushed stone, smoky meat and pepper details that build momentum and richness toward the long finish. Mourvèdre, Grenache and Syrah. (TF)  (4/2018)

93 points Jeb Dunnuck

 The 2015 Lithic comes from rocky, volcanic soils in Amador and is 40% Mourvèdre, 34% Grenache, and 26% Syrah that was brought up in 10% new French oak (a mix of demi-muids and Burgundy barrels). It has an exotic bouquet of blueberries, crushed flowers, spiced meats, and earth. With terrific purity of fruit, a distinct minerality, no hard edges, and the purity of fruit and elegance that’s the hallmark of all of Helen’s wines, drink this terrific wine anytime over the coming decade.  (6/2018)

93 points Vinous

 Helen Keplinger's 2015 Lithic is a powerful, shockingly tannic wine. I don't think I remember tasting a vintage of Lithic that is this forbidding in the early going. Dense, powerful and explosive, the 2015 captures both the intensity of this hillside site and the very small berries of 2015. The 30% whole clusters are nicely integrated. Time in the glass brings out an attractive rose petal/lavender note that is quite appealing. It will be interesting to see if the 2015 softens over time. Readers will have to be patient here. (AG) 93+  (4/2018)