2013 Realm Cellars The Falstaff, USA, California, Napa, Rutherford, Wine Review

This is a blend of 42% Cabernet Franc, 42% Merlot, and 16% Cabernet Sauvignon. Impressive showing. Inky purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is tight at first but opens to show black cherries, cherries, chocolate, and brown tobacco. Full bodied. Medium tannins. Wonderful velvety texture. On the palate, this is delicious with black cherries, iodine, blueberries and crushed leaves. Complex. Still not fully mature but getting there. Long finish. No harm opening now, but another five to eight years and this might get a 100 score. Great on its own, it will take big food right now. Maybe Beef Wellington would work nicely. Drink over the next 20 years.

Grade:

A+

Score:

Vintage:

2013

Current Price:

$425.00USD

Cabernet Franc: Talking with John Skupny of Lang & Reed

These days, whenever I mention that I picked up a bottle of Cabernet Franc during one of my tasting trips, I always get a knowing nod of approval from my fellow wine enthusiasts. Cabernet Franc is definitely gaining attention among American consumers, and it has slowly begun to emerge as more than just a mere blending grape for Cabernet Sauvignon. I’ve pondered Cabernet Franc’s recent rise in popularity, and have developed a theory regarding the varietal’s growing niche within the American market: Over the past 30 years, U.S. consumers have come to accept Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot as two of the standards among fine red wine.

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2018 Realm Cellars The Bard, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage:

2018

Score:

Grade:

A+

Current Price:

$146.00USD

Realm is one of our favorite wineries and The Bard may be our favorite (so hard to choose) especially considering price. This is an expensive wine, but for the quality, this is a great wine. It is a Cabernet based blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, and 2% Petite Sirah . Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright. The nose has cassis, black cherries, tobacco, chocolate, coffee and baking spices. Full bodied. Firm tannins. Great energy and balance. On the palate, this is young and tight but also showing complexity and depth. Flavo

2016 Realm Cellars The Bard, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$140.00USD

What an amazing wine. This is one of the more "affordable" Cabernet's from Realm. It is still very expensive, but this is some of the best that Napa has to offer. It is about 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot. Purple in color, opaque and shining bright. The nose is great with cassis, blueberries, cedar, spice and char. Just a gorgeous texture. Lush and velvety but with enough cut to not be cumbersome. Plenty of cassis and blueberry fruit with underlying tobacco and chart. Long finish. This is still young but just delicious. With time, this will show more complexity although

2013 Realm Cellars The Tempest, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage:

2013

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$125.00USD

OK, I have a confession to make. I love Merlot. There, I said it. But, it has to be good. Sometimes, because Merlot is so accessible young or so delicious, it gets short shrift when compared to Cabernet. And don't get me started on the Sideways effect. And yes, there is a lot of crap out there from all over the globe. But, there is a lot of really great Merlot as well. And, this is one. Actually, it is 86% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Sauvignon. Purple in color. The nose shows black cherries, dark chocolate, cassis, leather, slight menthol and a bit of earth. On the palate, the textu

2019 Realm Cellars The Bard, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage:

2019

Score:

Grade:

A+

Current Price:

$150.00USD

Tasted blind with other wines including the 2013 Bard. It was close and although I think this is the better wine, I found the 2013 a bit better on the evening. It is a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 5% Petite Verdot. Inky purple in color and shimmering bright. Opaque. The nose is big with cassis, graphite, slight earthiness and char. A bit tight. Full bodied. Firm tannins. On the palate, this is young and tight. Very ripe, this needs time. Flavors of cassis, blueberries, spice and cherries. Long finish. Hold for five years and drink for thirty after that. Bett

2013 Realm Cellars The Falstaff, USA, California, Napa, Rutherford, Wine Review

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