2013-2016 Kerr "Reserve" Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend Vertical

“The proprietary red blends were spectacular, starting with the 2013 Reserve Proprietary Red, which is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard and the rest Merlot from the Houyi Vineyard on Pritchard Hill. A stunning fragrance of black raspberries, blueberry liqueur, creosote and incense, the wine hits the palate with stunning purity, full-bodied richness, great penetration and overall equilibrium. This is a sensational, world-class red capable of evolving for the next 30 or more years. (RP)” (10/2016)

“What a delight it is to taste Kerr's 2013 Reserve Red in such great shape. Dark, powerful and structured, with forbidding tannins that are going to need time to soften, the 2013 is terrific. A host of espresso, mocha, leather, licorice and cedar infuse a core of dark fruit in this imposing yet expressive red blend. All of the class of this great Napa Valley vintage comes through a highly expressive yet mid-weight wine. (AG)” (08/2017)

“A sumptuous expression of rich, polished Cabernet, this unfolds gracefully, offering a smooth-textured mix of currant and blueberry flavors shaded by dusty, cedary oak and dried herb notes. The tannins deliver traction, definition and depth. (JL)” (11/2016)

“The 2014 Reserve Proprietary Red doesn’t have the structure of the 2013, but then few 2014s do. Nevertheless, what it lacks in structure and tannin it makes up for in its suppleness, wonderful succulence and fleshy mouthfeel. Dense purple, like its older sibling, with the blueberry and black raspberry notes and a flowery essence, this full-bodied, silky textured wine should drink beautifully for the next 15-20 years. (RP)” (10/2016)

“The 2014 Reserve Red is pliant, medium in body and gracious. Dark cherry, chocolate, espresso and fine, silky tannins add to the wine's considerable near and medium term appeal. This is an especially finessed style. Even so, like a lot of wines from this vintage, the 2014 feels like it is going through a slightly closed phase. I found it a bit more expressive and giving last fall. (AG)” (08/2017)

“Though rich and expressive, this features a welcome touch of suppleness from the texture, easing the entry of the dark berry, loamy earth, savory herb and cedary oak notes. There's no mistaking the authority of the flavors. Finishes with gripping tannins and a modest measure of finesse. (JL)” (08/2017)

“Potentially the best of all three if it evolves, as I think it will, the 2015 Reserve Proprietary Red offers up huge notes of blackberries, blackberries, violets and forest floor. It is full-bodied, with that sucrosity and thickness on the mid-palate that so many 2015s have. With good energy and vibrant acidity, this is a stunner , with a finish of close to a minute. It should drink well for 25-30 years. (RP)” (10/2016)

“The 2015 Napa Valley Reserve is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon from Missouri Hopper and 45% Merlot from Houyi. Powerful, dense and explosive, the 2015 packs a serious punch. This is an especially large-scaled, unctuous, full-throttle style, but all the elements are nicely balanced. Raspberry jam, mint, rose petal and sweet French oak are all fused together. The 2015 was done in 100% new French oak, mostly Taransaud and Sylvain barrels. The 2015 is also the best vintage of this wine yet, but it also needs time to shed some of its considerable baby fat. Helen Keplinger makes the Kerr wines for pro golfer Cristie Kerr. (AG)” (03/2018)

“This shows walnuts, mulberries, dark plums, underbrush and thyme. Full-bodied with round yet very juicy tannins, a fine sheen of fresh acidity, lots of plums and a long finish. A blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot.” (05/2018)

“Mocha and vanilla bean notes stand out as positives, leading to a dense core of dark berry, graphite, cedar and spice flavors. This has room to soften and flesh out but remains an impressive start. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. (JL)” (07/2018)

“Deep garnet-purple colored, it has a wonderfully fragrant nose of violets, black cherries, warm plums and wild blueberries over a core of cassis, cedar chest and dark chocolate with hints of anise and underbrush. Full-bodied, rich and incredibly lively, it has loads of spicy sparks and a fantastically velvety texture, finishing long with savory and earthy notions coming through. (LPB) 96+” (09/2019)

“Kerr's 2016 Napa Valley Reserve is absolutely gorgeous. Blackberry jam, graphite, smoke, leather, menthol, licorice and flowers give the Reserve striking nuance and complexity, but it is the wine's structural intensity and explosive energy that make the Reserve so compelling. A drop of Petit Verdot adds to the wine's distinctly savory personality. This is a superb showing. (AG)” (12/2018)

“Steeped plum and blackberry fruit is infused with grilled savory, tobacco and licorice root notes. A grippy back end tugs all the elements together, adding in a bolt of graphite along the way. Delivers character and range. (JM)” (10/2019)

“An intense nose of blackberry cake, licorice, blackcurrant tart, cassis, vanilla and eucalyptus. The palate presents a lot of the same, powerful fruit, but it’s wrapped in a healthy package of structured tannins, leading through to a chewy finish.” (02/2019)