Realm Cellars
Hartwell Vineyards
Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon 1991
Picked up a couple of these from a local cellar sale at a crazy cheap price and have been happy with each one.
Classically older SLD Cabernet. The fruit spectrum is on the red and black side (as I expect from SLD) with a mocha/cocoa layered sweetness. Some older fig, sweet pipe tobacco, and a core of fruit still in-tact. Soft on the mid-palate but retaining nice structure throughout the finish. Exactly what I expected from 34yr old Napa Cabernet.
Hope to try the Realm X Hartwell wine to see the vision from where this was to what the profile goal is in the future. — a year ago
Kata
Beckstoffer Bourn Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Remember Back to School where Rodney keeps saying “Yes!” Yes to the dying of the light. Yes to Kata. Yes to @Benoit Touquette Yes to Realm Cellars new addition! Yes. Yes. Yes. — 6 years ago
André Perret
Clos Chanson Condrieu Viognier 2015
This was so hedonistic for me, but within the realm of balance. The oak, lees integration, alcohol, and ripe tannin made for elixir that went straight to the pleasure center of my brain. Honey covered and grilled yellow peach, distilled honeysuckle, lavender, candied pear and Rainer cherry, crushed stones, orange peel, marzipan. So ripe and yet the full ML treatment worked so well. The phenolic Viognier bite was so suave and plush. — 6 years ago
Realm Cellars
Farella Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Realm Cellars – Farella Vineyard – Red– 2021
Coombsville AVA – Napa Valley – California, USA 🇺🇸
Overview
A site-driven, estate Cabernet Sauvignon from Realm Cellars’ Farella Vineyard in the cool-climate Coombsville AVA. The 2021 vintage is composed of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from a high-elevation block within the vineyard known as the “rockpile,” named for its dense concentration of stone and gravel soils. This unique position in the foothills of the Vaca Mountains delivers natural freshness, complexity, and refined structure.
Aromas & Flavors
Layered aromas of red and black cherry, cassis, and ripe plum unfold alongside graphite, crushed stone, subtle floral tones, and hints of cedar. As the wine opens, nuanced notes of spice, earth, and mineral depth continue to build, revealing impressive complexity.
Mouthfeel
Medium-to-full bodied with a remarkably polished and silky texture. The tannins are refined and seamless, offering structure without weight. Fresh acidity from the cool Coombsville site carries the wine effortlessly through a long, graceful finish.
Food Pairings
Herb-crusted lamb, grilled filet mignon, roasted duck breast, mushroom-forward dishes, or aged hard cheeses.
Verdict
A beautifully composed Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that emphasizes elegance over brute force. Complex, multi-layered, and progressively expressive, this is a refined interpretation of mountain-influenced Coombsville Cabernet.
Did You Know?
Coombsville is one of Napa Valley’s coolest AVAs, influenced by morning fog and volcanic soils from the Vaca Mountain range, often producing Cabernets with heightened aromatic complexity and natural acidity.
🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
I was genuinely surprised by how smooth and delicate this wine is for a site of such intensity. Multi-layered, graceful, and beautifully balanced, it’s an exceptional Cabernet that showcases finesse as much as depth. — 5 months ago
Realm Cellars
The Bard Blair Edition Red Bordeaux Blend 2023
This was sensational today at the Brasswood Event.
The 23’s I tasted today are as good as advertised. — 9 months ago
Raul Pérez
Ultreia Saint Jacques Mencía
Heady nose of blackberries, jammy purple fruit, brambly and peppery aromas, and then surprisingly lifted on the palate. Sappy with a uniquely Spanish garrigue quality. Refined in its structure and reminiscent of cru Beaujolais in the realm of brouilly or moulin a vent... but at 15 years ago prices. Such a generous wine! Plenty of freshness, spice and raw pleasure to spare. — 6 years ago
Realm Cellars
The Phoenix Napa Valley Red Blend 2012
Realm Cellars
Houyi Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2022
Realm Cellars – Houyi Vineyard – Red – 2022
Houyi Vineyard – Pritchard Hill AVA – Napa Valley – California, USA 🇺🇸
Overview
A powerful, site-driven mountain Cabernet Sauvignon from Realm Cellars’ estate Houyi Vineyard on Pritchard Hill. The 2022 vintage is composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, grown at nearly 1,300 feet elevation on dense volcanic rock soils. This is a quintessential Pritchard Hill expression, combining concentration, structure, and unmistakable mountain intensity.
Aromas & Flavors
Deep and brooding aromatics of blackcurrant, cassis, and dark plum lead the profile, followed by graphite, crushed stone, leather, and cigar box. As the wine opens, notes of espresso, black olive, and savory herbs emerge, reinforcing its serious, mountain-grown character.
Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and commanding, with firm, structured tannins and a dense core of dark fruit. The palate is muscular yet controlled, supported by vibrant acidity and mineral grip. Long, persistent finish marked by graphite, earth, and savory complexity.
Food Pairings
Dry-aged ribeye, grilled prime beef, braised short ribs, venison, lamb shank, or aged hard cheeses such as aged Cheddar or Comté.
Verdict
A textbook Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon showcasing power, depth, and authority. Houyi Vineyard delivers a bold yet disciplined expression that reflects Realm’s mastery of mountain terroir and precision blending.
Did You Know?
Houyi Vineyard is Realm Cellars’ estate site on Pritchard Hill, a highly revered Napa Valley enclave known for its volcanic soils, elevation, and some of the most age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignons in the world.
🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
An impressive Napa Valley mountain Cabernet that delivers intensity without losing focus. Deep, powerful, and unapologetically structured, with graphite and leather driving the experience from start to finish. Serious Pritchard Hill Cabernet. — 5 months ago
Hartwell Vineyards
Estate Grown Merlot 2014
Wanted to celebrate today’s Realm Release, but my inventory is just dwindling thanks to Coronalcoholism, so went with next best thing. This is such a great go-to wine. Full-bodied, great mouthfeel. Could drink this all the time. @Benoit Touquette is a sexy Mfer. — 6 years ago
Joe Flo
Every bit as good as the last btl — 5 months ago