Wine Advisor
Realm Cellars, The Tempest 2019
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
The 2019 The Tempest is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, mainly coming from cooler sights this year, including Farella vineyard in Coombsville, Oakville, Stag’s Leap Estate and Oak Knoll, with the portion of Cabernet Sauvignon all coming from Houyi vineyard on Pritchard Hill. Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose offers gorgeous notes of baked blueberries, black cherries and mulberries with hints of menthol, dark chocolate and licorice. Full-bodied, rich and velvety, the mouth is packed with loads of spicy layers, while bright sparks of red fruit offer compelling energy, culminating with a long, perfumed finish. This is a wonderfully poised, polished Merlot.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2019 The Tempest, Realm's Merlot based red, is not surprisingly, quite accessible. Super-ripe blackberry, cherry jam, sweet spice, licorice and new oak all flesh out as this succulent, hugely inviting wine shows off its considerable charm. The 2019 is a looker, that's for sure. The blend is Merlot from Realm Estate, Farella and Orchard, with Cabernet Sauvignon from Houyi.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2019 The Tempest, Realm's Merlot based red, is not surprisingly, quite accessible. Super-ripe blackberry, cherry jam, sweet spice, licorice and new oak all flesh out as this succulent, hugely inviting wine shows off its considerable charm. The 2019 is a looker, that's for sure. The blend is Merlot from Realm Estate, Farella and Orchard, with Cabernet Sauvignon from Houyi.
About the Producer
Realm Cellars produced their first vintage in 2002 (made at Sherwin Family Winery by winemaker Mike Hirby). Along with their estate vineyards in the Stags Leap District, Realm Cellars sources fruit from a number of premium vineyards located within and around the Napa Valley including Dr. Crane, Farella and To Kalon vineyards. These vineyards are well-regarded in the industry both for the pedigree of their grapes as well as in some cases, historical significance. Both Dr. Crane and To Kalon are closely tied to the vineyard history of the Napa Valley and their specific sites combine the best in terroir and grapes to produce premium vineyards and wines. Realm’s mission is to produce limited amounts of premium wines from Bordeaux red varietals (both blends and single vineyard wines). Original founding partner, Juan Mercado switched careers from hospital administration in the San Francisco Bay Area to working in the wine industry. This is a career change that we venture a guess to say Juan certainly has no regrets about. Managing partner, Scott Becker joined Juan in 2012 – today Scott is the owner of Realm Cellars. He has been involved in the wine industry for many years – first working at Cakebread Cellars – later for Global Wine Partners, (a company that focused on wine investments) and then for Bill Harlan to help develop PROMONTORY. For many years, Realm did not own vineyards, and focused their efforts on securing high quality fruit from premium vineyards entirely within the Napa Valley – a “realm” of properties if you will that spans from Calistoga to Coombsville. For any vineyards they work with not under their ownership, they don’t just buy fruit – they develop a relationship with the owner or grower and play an integral part in how each vineyard is farmed. They employ their own viticulturist who works with the property owners/farmers on a full time basis. Their focus is two-fold; creating red blends from various Napa vineyards with proprietary names as well as single vineyard, mostly single varietal wines.
