Winemaker Notes
This wine is juicy and vibrant, with notes of black cherry, underbrush, and sea salt dark chocolate. It is medium-bodied with soft tannins, an elegant expression of Merlot that continues to dance on the palate long after the finish.
Blend: 67% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
Elegant, creamy and light on its feet while delivering excellent depth. This merlot-dominant red blend offers light to moderate silky tannins that wrap around luscious cherry cream, baked raspberries, milk chocolate and hints of cocoa and graphite. Luxurious and rich but not at all heavy.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Two-thirds Merlot from Farella in Coombsville, the balance of Realm's 2022 The Tempest (23% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc) comes from Upper Range. Lead by scents of black cherries, cedar and vanilla, it's medium- to full-bodied, streamlined and nicely silky in feel.
-
Vinous
A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, the 2022 The Tempest is bright and nicely focused, with terrific energy and fine balance. Crushed red berry fruit, orange peel, mint and white pepper add pretty top notes and energy. Attractive floral tones extend the finish.
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.