2008 Realm The Tempest
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
(14.9% alcohol; 50% merlot, 27% cabernet sauvignon, 16% cabernet franc and 7% petit verdot): Full, bright ruby. Crushed black cherry, cassis, menthol, licorice and bitter chocolate on the nose. Concentrated but not yet expansive, offering flavors of currant, cedar and graphite, along with a light herbal element. Sweet tannins won't get in the way of enjoying this wine in its youth, but some bottle aging should bring more texture.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2008 The Tempest (a blend of 50% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot) is a tribute to the Right Bank wines of Bordeaux. Its opaque purple color is followed by abundant aromas of graphite, white chocolate, blackberries and cassis. This is an extraordinarily endearing wine, already irresistible, and it should drink well for at least a decade or more. Virtually all of the grapes came from the Stagecoach Vineyard in the hills east of Oakville, with a small quantity of Petit Verdot coming from the Dr. Crane Vineyard in St. Helena. These beautiful, lovingly made, hand-crafted wines are all bottled unfined and unfiltered. Tel. (707) 967-0226; fax (707) 967-0227
(50% merlot, 22% cabernet sauvignon, 21% cab franc and 7% petit verdot) Bright, deep red-ruby. Sweet aromas of blackberry and minerals. Not especially complex but sweet and juicy, with very good purity and intensity of dark fruit flavors.
About the producer
Realm Cellars has become one of Napa Valley’s most compelling modern estates, known for site-driven Cabernet Sauvignon. Drawing from some of the valley’s most sought-after vineyards, Realm’s wines consistently earn top critical acclaim while remaining firmly rooted in place.