Realm Cellars The Tempest 2015
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Jeb
Dunnuck -
James
Suckling -
Wine
Spectator -
Robert
Parker
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Blend: 95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
With the highest percentage of Merlot (95% Merlot, with the balance Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2015 The Tempest is made with immediate appeal in mind. And it delivers. This knockout Merlot gives up a huge nose of blueberries, currants, licorice, Asian spices and chocolate. This flows to a full-bodied, gorgeously layered 2015 that has the massive, succulent fruit profile of the vintage, yet stays, pure, elegant and seamless, with building tannin. I don’t see any need to hold off, but it will keep for 15-20+ years, easily.
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James Suckling
Blueberry, blackberry, and licorice aromas follow through to a full body. Tight and juicy and fruity. Fantastic depth and intensity. Extremely long and vivid. A blend of merlot and cabernet sauvignon.
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Wine Spectator
A blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2015 The Tempest displays a deep garnet-purple color and wonderfully plummy nose, backed up by notions of blueberry compote, baker’s chocolate, black soil, sandalwood and Chinese five spice. Rich, curvaceous, full-bodied and velvety, it fills the palate with exotic spices, lifted by a lively acid line and finishing on a lingering menthol note.
Rating: 95+ -
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A blend of 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2015 The Tempest displays a deep garnet-purple color and wonderfully plummy nose, backed up by notions of blueberry compote, baker’s chocolate, black soil, sandalwood and Chinese five spice. Rich, curvaceous, full-bodied and velvety, it fills the palate with exotic spices, lifted by a lively acid line and finishing on a lingering menthol note.
Rating: 95+
Other Vintages
2019-
James
Suckling -
Jeb
Dunnuck -
Robert
Parker
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James
Suckling -
Jeb
Dunnuck
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James
Suckling -
Jeb
Dunnuck -
Robert
Parker
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Wine
Enthusiast -
Robert
Parker
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Robert
Parker
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Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator
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Robert
Parker
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Robert
Parker
Realm Cellars is one of Napa Valley’s most electrifying wine brands with estate vineyards in Stags Leap District, Pritchard Hill and Coombsville. In 2012, owner Scott Becker and his partner, winemaker Benoit Touquette teamed up to revive a nearly bankrupt brand. Since then, Realm has been transformed into one of the most collected wineries in Napa Valley, with a vineyard portfolio that today exemplifies the beauty and longevity of Napa Valley. Making wine at the very highest level is at the core of Realm Cellars. Since 2012, the wines have been awarded more 100-point scores from internationally recognized wine critics than any other producer in Napa Valley.
Formerly the Hartwell Estate, Realm acquired the property in 2015 and began initial construction and development phases of an endeavor that will take decades to realize. In 2022, Realm acquired Nine Suns and Houyi Vineyard in Napa Valley’s famed area, Pritchard Hill. Realm’s portfolio of wines includes estate, single vineyard wines and proprietary blends, unified by a “style” best described as a creative tension between richness and precision, density and finesse, purity of fruit and nuance. In addition to its estate vineyard sites, Realm partners with Napa Valley’s most prestigious and iconic wine growers and vineyard sites, including Beckstoffer Dr. Crane and Beckstoffer To Kalon.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.