Realm Cellars
The Tempest Red Bordeaux Blend
Napa Valley, California, USA
It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!
Inky in color with a short reddish rim.
Beautiful nose of stewed plums, cooked cherries, cedar, toast, light vanilla, raisins, Indian spices, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, vinaigrette and peppercorn.
Full-bodied, elegant and rich, with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry and very fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, black plums, cherries, spices, dark chocolates, tobacco leaf, herbs, peppercorn, licorice, light black tea and eucalyptus.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.
This 10 year old Merlot based Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley is drinking fantastically now, and probably drinking at its peak.
Elegant and robust at the same time. Very Complex and interesting. The nose is just gorgeous and the palate follows right behind.
Good right out of the bottle, and so much better after a couple of hours in the decanter.
Aged very nicely actually, and I really enjoyed the nose once it opened up. Will continue to drink nicely in the next 7 years.
Robert Parker 95 points.
Rich and elegant. Feels like a Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. I love these Napa Valley Bordeaux blends, and I just love everything made by Michel Roland, the consulting winemaker here.
A blend of 62% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. Aged in (65% new) French Oak barrels.
14.6% alcohol by volume.
95 points.
$180.
It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!
Inky in color with a short reddish rim.
Beautiful nose of stewed plums, cooked cherries, cedar, toast, light vanilla, raisins, Indian spices, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, vinaigrette and peppercorn.
Full-bodied, elegant and rich, with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry and very fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, black plums, cherries, spices, dark chocolates, tobacco leaf, herbs, peppercorn, licorice, light black tea and eucalyptus.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.
This 10 year old Merlot based Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley is drinking fantastically now, and probably drinking at its peak.
Elegant and robust at the same time. Very Complex and interesting. The nose is just gorgeous and the palate follows right behind.
Good right out of the bottle, and so much better after a couple of hours in the decanter.
Aged very nicely actually, and I really enjoyed the nose once it opened up. Will continue to drink nicely in the next 7 years.
Robert Parker 95 points.
Rich and elegant. Feels like a Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. I love these Napa Valley Bordeaux blends, and I just love everything made by Michel Roland, the consulting winemaker here.
A blend of 62% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. Aged in (65% new) French Oak barrels.
14.6% alcohol by volume.
95 points.
$180.
Blue fruit with a touch of red, leathery, dried herbs, black soil, rock, coffee, charred barrels boarding in caramel, chocolate notes, med acid and tannins.
Blue fruit with a touch of red, leathery, dried herbs, black soil, rock, coffee, charred barrels boarding in caramel, chocolate notes, med acid and tannins.
Sep 19th, 2024
Distressed that I like this so much because it’s a wee bit pricy to be drinking regularly. I feel kinda basic, like, this is mostly Merlot and it’s yummmmmy! And rich. And purple velvet that you are drinking in purple rain that is actually just you pouring a bucket of yummy yummy Merlot on your head. Okay I’m not doing that but it would give a whole new meaning to shower wine,
Distressed that I like this so much because it’s a wee bit pricy to be drinking regularly. I feel kinda basic, like, this is mostly Merlot and it’s yummmmmy! And rich. And purple velvet that you are drinking in purple rain that is actually just you pouring a bucket of yummy yummy Merlot on your head. Okay I’m not doing that but it would give a whole new meaning to shower wine,
Aug 21st, 2019
Lovely nose. Dark purple. Ripe plum, black cherry, dark fruit. Soft tannins, but needs air time. And prob needs several more years in bottle. Nice supple finish.
Lovely nose. Dark purple. Ripe plum, black cherry, dark fruit. Soft tannins, but needs air time. And prob needs several more years in bottle. Nice supple finish.
Oct 2nd, 2023
Medium to deep ruby with aromas of blackberries and blueberries with fig and leather. Maybe a bit of toffee in there, as well. Very well balanced with bold, juicy fruit bursting across the palate. Tannins and acidity are integrated perfectly over the long, flavorful finish. So much to offer in this wine. To me, this ‘15 is drinking perfectly right now.
Medium to deep ruby with aromas of blackberries and blueberries with fig and leather. Maybe a bit of toffee in there, as well. Very well balanced with bold, juicy fruit bursting across the palate. Tannins and acidity are integrated perfectly over the long, flavorful finish. So much to offer in this wine. To me, this ‘15 is drinking perfectly right now.
Nov 11th, 2022
Nose fantastic but needs way more time.
Nose fantastic but needs way more time.
Jun 27th, 2022My goodness this wine surprised! Not that surprising since every Realm I’ve had has been incredible. But at the lower end of their prices, wow. Gorgeous merlot/cab blend. Super super smooth. Silky tannins, gorgeous dark fruit. So easy to drink. Perfect minerality, so well integrated. Nothing but praise for this wine. Only wish I had more in the cellar!
My goodness this wine surprised! Not that surprising since every Realm I’ve had has been incredible. But at the lower end of their prices, wow. Gorgeous merlot/cab blend. Super super smooth. Silky tannins, gorgeous dark fruit. So easy to drink. Perfect minerality, so well integrated. Nothing but praise for this wine. Only wish I had more in the cellar!
Aug 26th, 2021