La Bottega — 4 months ago
Yes—exactly that kind of wine: timeless, composed, and quietly authoritative.
It smells so good on first pour. Damp pine forest floor and clean mountain air register immediately. Everything else unravels from there; but that initial pop-and-pour sniff is pure magic.
On the palate, blackcurrant, cedar, graphite, and dried herbs unfold with control, carried by freshness and finely etched tannins in a medium body.
So classic, so intellectual, and deeply mesmerizing. Drink now or age. — 5 months ago
Выпито 27.01.26 в VIP loungeс Ириной и Дианой перед вылетом в Дубай на Маврикий. — 4 months ago
Notes of black plum, blueberry syrup, fig, licorice, and sweet spice. Despite its hedonistic density, the wine holds balance, lifted by polished acidity and firm yet plush tannins. The palate is opulent, velvety, and long, delivering a decadent but controlled expression of power.
Had not tasted a Clio in a while. So delicious. Made me so want to pull the 19’ El Nido. — 4 months ago
So underrated and punching way above its weight class. Bit more delicate and pure than your high end Boudreaux. Perfect for seaside dinners. Great vintage too. — 5 months ago
1988 vintage. Good fill, good cork. Opened with a Durand and decanted. Tasted after two hours. Those initial, futile attempts at being masculine but ultimately feminine. Exemplary stuffing with enough of an outline to carry this wine another 5-6 years in this stead. Light-medium body with a decently traceable finish. Better than expected. 12.25.25. — 5 months ago
#AgedWineTuesday
Ruby in color with a reddish rim. Not showing it's age.
Pretty nose with black currants, black plums, blackberries, licorice, cedar, herbs, tobacco leaf, chocolates, dark coffee, pencil lead, light earth and peppercorn.
Full-bodied and elegant with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry and fruity on the palate with black currants, blackberries, black plums, cooked cherries, cedar, spices, toast, licorice, chocolates, tobacco, earth, light alcohol, peppercorn, green tea and herbs.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley. Showing a great nose right out of the bottle.
Rich and extracted, yet elegant. Very complex and spicy. Smooth, yet powerful. Does not feel like it's 18 year old at all.
This Cabernet Sauvignon from the great 2007 vintage in Napa Valley is showing beautifully now. Fully matured, but has enough energy to last it much longer. Drinking at its peak, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 7 years.
I love these aged Napa Bordeaux blends. Easy drinking and good by itself as a sipping wine.
A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec. Aged for 18 months in (79% new) French oak barrels.
15.2% alcohol by volume.
94 points.
$175. — 5 months ago
It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.
Deep purple in color with a short purple rim. Not showing age at all.
Beautiful nose of black currants, blackberries, black plums, cooked cherries, light cedar, earth, herbs, chocolates, black tea, light eucalyptus and licorice.
Full-bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate and fruit forward with blackberries, black currants, cooked plums, cedar, tobacco leaf, light earth, herbs, chocolates, black tea, black pepper, spices and cola.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Knights Valley in Sonoma County. Rich and elegant. Fruit forward and very complex.
Nicely balanced with a soft mouthfeel. Feels like a Napa Cabernet based Bordeaux blend.
Good right out of the bottle, and much better after 45 minutes in the decanter. Really gorgeous once it opens up.
Peaking now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 to 7 years.
Wine Advocate 95 points. Wine Spectator 93 points.
Great by itself as a sipping wine or with food, like a big piece of steak.
A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, 13% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Aged in French oak barrels for 18 months.
15% alcohol by volume.
94 points.
$175. — 5 months ago
+2 hour decant(lots of sediment). Served with beautifully seared A5 Wagyu. A majestic deep dark garnet color. On the nose: subdued notes of dark/blue fruits, pencil shavings, menthol, wet forest floor, cedar. Taste: silky, pure, intense savory wine with blackberry/dark cherry, currants, graphite, mineral, dark chocolate espresso and a lingering long dry finish. YUM! Still has time to go and glad to have more bottles. — 5 months ago

Realm Cellars – The Bard – Red Blend – 2022
Napa Valley AVA – California, USA 🇺🇸
Overview
Realm Cellars’ flagship proprietary red, The Bard represents the most expansive and dynamic expression of Napa Valley terroir. The 2022 vintage is Cabernet Sauvignon–dominant (approximately 70%), supported by Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, with exact proportions varying by year. Sourced from a broad range of elite vineyards spanning Coombsville to Calistoga and both valley floor and hillside sites, this wine is designed to showcase Napa Valley in its full breadth and power.
Aromas & Flavors
Dense and expressive aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry compote, and dark plum lead the profile, followed by graphite, cocoa, crushed stone, and subtle baking spice. As it opens, notes of espresso, cedar, and savory herbs emerge, adding layers of depth and complexity.
Mouthfeel
Full-bodied, weighty, and concentrated, with a rich core of dark fruit framed by structured yet polished tannins. Despite its power, the wine maintains balance and freshness, carrying seamlessly into a long, impactful finish.
Food Pairings
Prime rib, grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, venison, or aged cheeses such as aged Cheddar, Comté, or Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Verdict
A bold yet refined Napa Valley red that captures Realm’s philosophy of sourcing greatness across sites to build a wine of exceptional depth, richness, and presence. The Bard remains a benchmark proprietary blend that delivers both immediate pleasure and cellar-worthy structure.
Did You Know?
The Bard draws fruit from some of Napa Valley’s most revered vineyards, including Beckstoffer To Kalon, Beckstoffer Bourn, Blair, Houyi, and Larkmead, contributing to its layered complexity and distinctive Napa identity.
🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This is a wine every serious wine lover should have in their cellar. Powerful, delicious, and unapologetically Napa, The Bard delivers depth, impact, and pure enjoyment in every glass. — 5 months ago
Joe Carroll
Owner/Wine Director Spuyten Duyvil, Fette Sau, St. Anselm & Gotham Artisanal Provisions
I really should’ve drank this a handful of years ago, but it was still solid and good — 4 months ago