Freddy R. Troya

9.5

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. — 2 days ago

B Young

9.0

Very Good ..... Buy again at Total Wine — 18 days ago

Marcel Van Duinen

10

12 uur decanteren, met wild-kroketten 🤗 — 7 days ago

Tom Garland

9.5

1 hour decant(decent chunky/fine sediment). A striking dark garnet with some bricking. On the nose: beautiful areomatics jump from the glass with black/red fruit, currants, smoked meat, forest floor, herbaceous, worn leather. Taste: silky, balanced layers of flavor wine with dark cherry/blackberry, chocolate, spice, earth and a iron/graphite long finish. YUM!! Could drink all night, but going down too quickly. — 5 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.2

Black fruits, cedar, earth, leather, graphite & tobacco — 4 days ago

Marc Melser

9.3

We had the 2015 Vintage on 12/13-14/25. An aromatic bouquet of blackberry and flowers and maybe tobacco. BlackBerry, plum, mocha and sandalwood. The tannins are all smoothed out. Full bodied and fruit forward. Less “Bordeaux” than prior Vintages. More California. Still, a fantastic red blend. The price is now double what I paid in 2018. — 6 days ago

Rick Phillips

9.7

This vintage just keeps getting better. It was great to review and acknowledge some of my contacts earlier review of this wine even before it was 10 years in the bottle. Has the strength to last another 15 to 20 years in my opinion. But then he did learn at the feet of some of the Masters of Bordeaux! — 7 days ago

with Letha

Pooneet K

9.1

Fresh and will go for a very long time. Tannins are pretty chunky but still a nice wine. — 7 days ago

Walter Fahr

8.9

A richer Provence Rose than most. Light salmon color with lower acidity than most Roses from the region. Crisp. Drank in December 2025. — 11 days ago

Paul T HB

9.8

Missed trying one last year, definitely opening up earlier than my previous bottles. 2 hour decant with a NY Strip. — 21 days ago