Winemaker Notes
The Tempest was one of the first wines, and the first Proprietary Blend, we produced. At the time, it seemed almost uncanny that we were able to access three grape varietals at the same time from the same vineyard; it was blind luck or perhaps the proverbial “perfect storm.” The resulting wine reflected a fierce determination to brave the storm as well as a new desire to realize the possibilities of Merlot. The Tempest is still made with outstanding grapes, from vineyards such as Blair in Calistoga and cooler sites like Farella and Orchard. Predominantly Merlot with lesser amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon depending on vintage, The Tempest is a roiling cauldron of fresh red and blue fruit and silky tannins – a wine that shows what Merlot can be in the right hands, from the right vineyards.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Based on 61% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Sirah and aged 11 months in 72% new French oak, the 2023 The Tempest was bottled in January 2025. It offers beautifully textured and upfront black cherries, chocolaty herbs, tobacco, and gravelly earth. Medium to full-bodied, it has integrated acidity, sweet tannins, and a great finish.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Roughly the same blend and sourcing as the 2022, Realm's 2023 The Tempest displays a lovely herbal-floral element not seen in prior releases. Combined with the intense black cherries, the result is something special. In the mouth, this medium- to full-bodied wine is smooth and silky. Long, with hints of mocha on the finish and framed by fine-grained tannins, this is elegant, lovely stuff.
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Vinous
The 2023 The Tempest is elegant, refined and wonderfully pure. Floral and savory notes lift the wine beautifully. This delicate, mid-weight Merlot-based blend is all charm. Rose petal, mint and lavender grace the aromatic, expansive 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.