Realm Cellars

Moonracer Cabernet Sauvignon

9.5127 ratings
9.632 pro ratings
Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy
Top Notes For
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

I forgot to shoot the Moonracer bottle and borrowed some of these images from their site.

This is one of my favorite wines from Realm. Very kind of Leslie to open for us. The 2021 was outstanding and have it at 97-98. Showed very well at well pop and pour.

The nose on the 2021 Moonracer was quite feminine which has great appeal to me. Dark perfume florals, ripe, lush currants but more cassis with beautiful, soft baking spices.

The palate was fresh and shows round, ruby, lush fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, dark cherries. It is feminine & elegant in its style. Powdered, limestone, rocks & sandstone, soft, dark spice with gentle heat as it sets, sweet forest floor, black licorice, mixed berry cola, some soft, fresh tobacco, expensive, plush leather, softly stated baking spices-nutmeg, clove cinnamon & vanillin, melted dark chocolate, a mix of fresh, red, blue florals framed in violets & some lavender, perfect acidity, elegant, round, extremely well balanced, layered, structured long finish that is two-minutes.

One thing of note, there will be no 2022 The Absurd. The Absurd fruit will go into The Bard and a couple of their others wines. Reason, the six days of brutal heat during the potential harvest window.

Stunning pano view of Pritchard Hill from their estate. If we had been there the day before, fog and clouds would have made this photo impossible. Brand plate on their stainless steel tanks, believe a shot of their Moonracer vineyard and sitting area in their tasting room.

I forgot to shoot the Moonracer bottle and borrowed some of these images from their site.

This is one of my favorite wines from Realm. Very kind of Leslie to open for us. The 2021 was outstanding and have it at 97-98. Showed very well at well pop and pour.

The nose on the 2021 Moonracer was quite feminine which has great appeal to me. Dark perfume florals, ripe, lush currants but more cassis with beautiful, soft baking spices.

The palate was fresh and shows round, ruby, lush fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, dark cherries. It is feminine & elegant in its style. Powdered, limestone, rocks & sandstone, soft, dark spice with gentle heat as it sets, sweet forest floor, black licorice, mixed berry cola, some soft, fresh tobacco, expensive, plush leather, softly stated baking spices-nutmeg, clove cinnamon & vanillin, melted dark chocolate, a mix of fresh, red, blue florals framed in violets & some lavender, perfect acidity, elegant, round, extremely well balanced, layered, structured long finish that is two-minutes.

One thing of note, there will be no 2022 The Absurd. The Absurd fruit will go into The Bard and a couple of their others wines. Reason, the six days of brutal heat during the potential harvest window.

Stunning pano view of Pritchard Hill from their estate. If we had been there the day before, fog and clouds would have made this photo impossible. Brand plate on their stainless steel tanks, believe a shot of their Moonracer vineyard and sitting area in their tasting room.

Jan 27th, 2024
Roy Goble

Delicious and smooth. Had it with filet and it was a wonderful match.

Delicious and smooth. Had it with filet and it was a wonderful match.

Apr 16th, 2022
Mike R
9.5

Delicious and with great friends in NYC

Delicious and with great friends in NYC

Oct 11th, 2021
Roy Goble

Good food, great wine, beautiful California summer evening. I can get use to sheltering in place. At least until the cellar is empty.

Good food, great wine, beautiful California summer evening. I can get use to sheltering in place. At least until the cellar is empty.

Aug 9th, 2020
Roy Goble

Wow, this 2014 tastes better than ever

Wow, this 2014 tastes better than ever

Apr 5th, 2020
Shay A
9.6

Last week was a combo of 4th Friday and Open That Bottle Night on back to back nights. Needless to say, the lineup between both days was full of heavy hitters, so I’m only posting standout bottles.

If you want decadent and powerful, this is your huckleberry. This was so good! Where the Futo was high toned and lifted in profile, this was more dense and all encompassing. The glass smelled of fondue dipped black cherries, blueberries, fresh squeezed blackberries, baking spices like cinnamon and vanilla, with some savory graphite just at the end. It’s a total flavor bomb (in a good way) on the palate because of how focused it is. Nothing stewed, overripe or flabby. Creme de cassis, dark chocolate, cedar, cascading dark fruits toward the finish. Big structure but so nimble. This reminds me of Shafer HSS. Nice bottle
@Weston Eidson .

Last week was a combo of 4th Friday and Open That Bottle Night on back to back nights. Needless to say, the lineup between both days was full of heavy hitters, so I’m only posting standout bottles.

If you want decadent and powerful, this is your huckleberry. This was so good! Where the Futo was high toned and lifted in profile, this was more dense and all encompassing. The glass smelled of fondue dipped black cherries, blueberries, fresh squeezed blackberries, baking spices like cinnamon and vanilla, with some savory graphite just at the end. It’s a total flavor bomb (in a good way) on the palate because of how focused it is. Nothing stewed, overripe or flabby. Creme de cassis, dark chocolate, cedar, cascading dark fruits toward the finish. Big structure but so nimble. This reminds me of Shafer HSS. Nice bottle
@Weston Eidson .

Mar 8th, 2020
James Forsyth

Blackcurrant, maple.

Blackcurrant, maple.

Oct 24th, 2019
James Forsyth

Super smooth. Polished.

Super smooth. Polished.

Oct 24th, 2019
Ron R
9.6

Good god, this is disgracefully good. Huge fruits on the nose. Cherries, black currants on the nose. Maple overload on the palate. It’s so viscous and sweet on the palate. A quintessential one night stand. Another gift from, @Mike R 😮

Good god, this is disgracefully good. Huge fruits on the nose. Cherries, black currants on the nose. Maple overload on the palate. It’s so viscous and sweet on the palate. A quintessential one night stand. Another gift from, @Mike R 😮

Aug 25th, 2019
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

The wine is the definition of gorgeous- sexy. Dry coco yet tart tannins. Amazing fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, plum skin, baked strawberries, expresso roast, caramel, dark & milk, dry stems, crushed rock powder, fresh tobacco, leather with fragrant; dark, red and purple flowers. Can’t wait to open mine in about 12 - 15 more years.

The wine is the definition of gorgeous- sexy. Dry coco yet tart tannins. Amazing fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, plum skin, baked strawberries, expresso roast, caramel, dark & milk, dry stems, crushed rock powder, fresh tobacco, leather with fragrant; dark, red and purple flowers. Can’t wait to open mine in about 12 - 15 more years.

Aug 17th, 2019