| Score: |
94 RP.
"The 2013 Tempest is Realm's homage to Right Bank Bordeaux, as it is a blend of 86% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Sauvignon. Like Shakespeare's famous play, this is meant to be an in-your-face, boisterous, expressive and flamboyant wine. Most of the grapes tend to come from great vineyards such as Dr. Crane and others. The wine is lush and ripe, with a stunning nose of coffee beans, chocolate, black cherries, and blackberries. It is deep, heady, and enormously appealing in its opulence and sexiness . . . . 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 |