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2011 Keplinger Basilisk

Not Currently In Auction

Latest Sale Price

September 25, 2022 - $36

Estimate

RATINGS

92Wine Spectator

Pure, rich and layered, with notes of fresh-turned loamy earth and elements of road tar, black licorice and graphite.

90Stephen Tanzer

Juicy and sharply delineated; a step up in intensity from the Red Slope grenache, with red fruit and crushed stone flavors lifted by exotic Asian spices.

REGION

United States, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley

Russian River Valley AVA is named for the river that meanders from Mendocino County in the north until it finally runs into the Pacific Ocean north of San Francisco. The AVA is cool thanks to its proximity to the northern California coast and the river, and grape growers must learn to deal with regular fog. Nevertheless in recent decades the AVA has become one of the best in the state, meaning that its wines often earn excellent reviews and have considerable cachet. The AVA status was awarded in 1983 and today the appellation has 15,000 vineyard acres. Chardonnay is the most widely planted grape though Pinot Noir has also been very successful in recent decades. Russian River Valley Pinot Noir are known for being rich, lush and filled with concentrated fruit and berry flavors. Russian River Pinot Noirs are today considered some of the best domestic Pinot Noirs.

TYPE

Red Wine, Grenache

One of the most popular red varieties planted, it ripens late and prefers hot dry climates. It probably originated in Spain, where it is still widely grown. Grenache is best known for its use in Southern Rhone wines, including those of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.