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98 RP. "From the southeastern AVA Coombsville in the Vaca Mountains, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Farella Vineyard is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from white tufa and decomposed red volcanic sedimentary soils. For whatever reason, it seems that people who buy from this vineyard make better wine than the actual owners, which I'm sad to say, is not exactly what proprietors Tom and Frank Farella would like to hear. This is a terrific Cabernet Sauvignon made from clones 4 and 8, offering a rich nose of blackberries, dark earth, a touch of barrique, and some baking spices. The wine is rich, full-bodied, tannic and backward. Deep and super-concentrated, it needs another 2-3 years of cellaring, but should last another 25-30 years. There is a brilliant team of creative people behind the wines of Realm, led by French winemaker Benoit Touquette, who was mentored by the famous Libournais Michel Rolland and then got his first job in Napa working for consultant Andy Erickson. He is now working with another top talent, Realm founder Juan Mercado. It's worth a look at their website, www.realmcellars.com, for a list of the entire team that's been involved and the incredible experiences they've had working with some of the finest wineries, vineyards and talented minds in Napa Valley. As the following tasting notes indicate, they've hit major home runs across the board in 2013." Wine Advocate #222, Dec 2015 |