Founded in 2002 by Wendell Laidley and Juan Mercado, Realm Cellars has consistently pursued a simple mission—to produce wines of superior quality in small amounts, hand-crafted from Bordeaux varietals sourced from some of the most distinctive Napa Valley vineyards.

Winemaker Benoit Touquette brings assistant winemaker experience from his roles at Screaming Eagle, Ovid, Arietta, Dalla Valle and others (working alongside Andy Erickson), while Michel Rolland from Bordeaux is the consulting winemaker.

Realm has attracted strong praise from the wine industry press since being named one of Napa Valley’s most impressive newcomers by Wine Spectator in late 2005. Despite the loss of the entire 2003 vintage in an arson fire in October 2005, Realm has assembled one of Napa’s strongest portfolio of vineyard sources and remains focused on producing blends (The Bard, The Falstaff, The Tempest), vineyard designate wines (Beckstoffer Dr. Crane, Farella, Beckstoffer To Kalon) and unique one-time bottlings (2005 The Absurd) that reveal the unique characteristics of the vineyards as well as the attributes that define the vintage.

The Realm Cellars winemaking philosophy has remained consistent with a goal of producing singular wines that represent intense and delicious portraits of the Napa Valley vineyard sources from which the wines are derived. The approach is to farm the vineyards intensively, giving low yields and great evenness of ripening which thereby allows the vines to mature and allows the grapes to achieve perfect ripeness. Realm wines always undergo extended lees contact and minimal handling in 100% new French oak, and the final results have always been bottled unfined and unfiltered.

The story of Realm Cellars can be defined by the consistent exploration of a unique place (Napa Valley), a relentless pursuit of perfection, and the trials and tribulations of turning a dream into a reality.

THE WINES

“Realm is one of the most exciting young wineries in Napa Valley…this is a gorgeous set of wines that deserves considerable attention.” – Antonio Galloni, The Wine Advocate

The Tempest
One of Realm’s inaugural wines. Taking its cue from Right Bank icons like Petrus and Le Pin, this Merlot-based blend comes from vineyards with great pedigree and promise. The dark ruby-colored 2011 Tempest is a fresh, charming, lighter-weight wine offering sweet berry fruit intermixed with hints of oak and damp earth. This is an unusually vibrant Merlot-based red for Napa Valley. This is a gorgeous, entry-level wine from Realm. The blend is 64% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot.

The Falstaff
Difficult to define yet full of distinction. A Cabernet-Franc-based wine that highlights the depth and character of a grape known for its wide range of personalities. The 2010 Red Wine Falstaff comes across as a bit compact, but there is so much stuffing in the wine I have to think the 2010 will open up over time. Savory herbs, tobacco, spices and licorice are woven together seamlessly. Today, the 2010 is less expressive than it was last year, not totally surprising given that the 2010 has only recently been bottled. Sweet floral notes reappear on the finish, adding lift and brightness. Falstaff is 58% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot.

The Bard
Cabernet remains king. A Left-Bank inspired Cabernet Sauvignon blend from vineyards throughout Napa Valley, offering the rare combination of both density and elegance. The 2011 Red Wine, The Bard, is by far the richest and most powerful of Realm’s three blends for 2011. The 2011 Bard exhibits round, supple tannins, moderate, medium-bodied richness, and plum, Asian spice and fruity notes with easy charm and drinkability. The Bard is 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot.

The Farella
Considered among the classics of Napa Valley. From a site known for moderate temperatures and volcanic soils, this Cabernet Sauvignon will continue to stand the test of time. The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Farella Vineyard is fresh, perfumed and totally beautiful. Tobacco, freshly cut flowers and sweet red berries take shape in the glass. The Farella is unquestionably gorgeous, but this site does not have the pure pedigree of the other single-vineyard wines in the range. The cool energy of Coombsville comes through on the focused, delineated finish. A dollop of Petit Verdot rounds out the blend.

Beckstoffer To Kalon
The legendary vineyard. A Cabernet Sauvignon from the acclaimed Oakville district that lives up to the Greek translation of its name, “the highest form of beauty.” The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard blossoms from the glass, covering every inch of the palate with endless layers of fruit. Violets, cloves, incense and licorice all jump from this deep, totally expressive Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2010 is vivid and wonderfully alive in the glass. This is a great showing from Realm.

BUILD YOUR OWN OFFER

10% discount on 3 or more bottles
15% discount on a case or more

2011 The Tempest - $95

2010 The Fallstaff - $95

2011 The Bard - $120

2010 The Farella - $120

2010 Beckstoffer To Kalon - $175

Realm has made some 2007 and 2008 Falstaff available. The same
Discounts will apply. Quantities are limited and the wine may be allocated.

2007 The Fallstaff - $95

2008 The Fallstaff - $95

HOW TO ORDER

Please contact Jeff McCarthy at 707 569 2906 or [email protected] to place your order. Prices do not include tax and shipping. Let us know if you would like your order shipped or placed in your wine locker. Allow 2-3 weeks from the wine offer expiration date for account processing and shipment. During extreme weather, wine orders are shipped 2-day air. In some cases, wine may be held until it is safe to ship.