Realm Cellars

The Tempest Napa Valley Red Blend

9.3433 ratings
9.383 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy, Salami & Prosciutto, Exotic Spices, Baking Spices, Herbs, Chicken, Pungent Cheese, Turkey, Soft Cheese, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Duck, Onion
Top Notes For
Paco Suro

Wow. Surprise of the night. Bright. Balanced. Still in full swing.

Wow. Surprise of the night. Bright. Balanced. Still in full swing.

Dec 23rd, 2023
Shay A
9.4

I’ve been a fan of Realm for quite a while, but this was the first time I’ve opened their merlot driven wine, Tempest.

95% merlot, 5% Cabernet. Inky dark red/black in the glass. Fresh baked mixed berry pie notes jump from the glass along with espresso, dark chocolate and baking spices. Astoundingly silky and elegant on the palate. While this is certainly a bigger expression than most merlot, it still has classical merlot notes at the core…black cherry with beautifully lifted profile. Rich red, blue and black fruits, cocoa, and graham cracker. The finish has great acidity and fine grained tannins. A very sexy expression of merlot. Fantastic!

I’ve been a fan of Realm for quite a while, but this was the first time I’ve opened their merlot driven wine, Tempest.

95% merlot, 5% Cabernet. Inky dark red/black in the glass. Fresh baked mixed berry pie notes jump from the glass along with espresso, dark chocolate and baking spices. Astoundingly silky and elegant on the palate. While this is certainly a bigger expression than most merlot, it still has classical merlot notes at the core…black cherry with beautifully lifted profile. Rich red, blue and black fruits, cocoa, and graham cracker. The finish has great acidity and fine grained tannins. A very sexy expression of merlot. Fantastic!

Nov 19th, 2021
Roy Goble

Not my favorite Realm, not my favorite vintage, but still damn good.

Not my favorite Realm, not my favorite vintage, but still damn good.

Apr 29th, 2021
Roy Goble

Hard to rate. It’s very good, it’s Realm, but it’s 2017.

Hard to rate. It’s very good, it’s Realm, but it’s 2017.

Feb 24th, 2021
Ki Punwar

Owner, California Wine Republic

9.2

Always loved this blend. The Merlot really rounds out the wine. In a good place. Santé!

Always loved this blend. The Merlot really rounds out the wine. In a good place. Santé!

Dec 25th, 2020
Roy Goble

My second to last bottle of 2014 Tempest. That’s depressing. I think I’ll open another.

My second to last bottle of 2014 Tempest. That’s depressing. I think I’ll open another.

Jun 21st, 2020
Al Shikoh

opaque ruby violet; black cherry, milk chocolate, plum, vanilla bean, violets, menthol; soft, juicy, generous fruit; full bodied, medium+ acidity, soft tannins, 14.6% ABV; blend of 66% Merlot and 34% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from multiple sites, homage to Bordeaux’s right bank; $100

opaque ruby violet; black cherry, milk chocolate, plum, vanilla bean, violets, menthol; soft, juicy, generous fruit; full bodied, medium+ acidity, soft tannins, 14.6% ABV; blend of 66% Merlot and 34% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from multiple sites, homage to Bordeaux’s right bank; $100

Feb 2nd, 2020
Roy Goble

Yum

Yum

Jan 1st, 2020
Roy Goble

Love

Love

Oct 27th, 2019
Al Shikoh

inky purple; cassis, plum, baking chocolate, vanilla, menthol; plush, round, dark fruit, very long; full bodied, lovely textured tannins, 14.6% ABV; blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon this year which is heavier on the Merlot than in the past; beautiful with a fatty ribeye, crafted for immediate drinking pleasure, up there with my favorite Cali Merlots Pride and Duckhorn

inky purple; cassis, plum, baking chocolate, vanilla, menthol; plush, round, dark fruit, very long; full bodied, lovely textured tannins, 14.6% ABV; blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon this year which is heavier on the Merlot than in the past; beautiful with a fatty ribeye, crafted for immediate drinking pleasure, up there with my favorite Cali Merlots Pride and Duckhorn

Aug 15th, 2019