Realm Cellars

The Tempest Napa Valley Red Blend

9.313 ratings
9.15 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy, Salami & Prosciutto, Exotic Spices, Baking Spices, Herbs, Chicken, Pungent Cheese, Turkey, Soft Cheese, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Duck, Onion
Top Notes For
Matt Perlman

Sweet jammy red fruit, vanilla, oak tannins, hot

Sweet jammy red fruit, vanilla, oak tannins, hot

Oct 7th, 2018
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Drinking very well right now.

Drinking very well right now.

Jul 22nd, 2017
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Boysenberries, huckleberries, olallieberries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, a touch of spice and violets on the nose. There is a dark stewed syrupy character to the fruits on the plate. They are; boysenberries, huckleberries, blueberries, olallieberries, blackberries, black cherries, black plum, pancakes, spice-box, tobacco ash, suede type leather, black moist turned earth, dry used coffee grounds, black tea, black cherry licorice, Planters nut candy bar, sage, underbrush, toasted coconut, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, well done toast, dry dark florals, wet crushed rocks, nice, soft, volcanic minerals, good bottle evolution, tannins are 60% resolved, the structure is beautiful, still nice tension, long length with a nearly perfect balance of fruit and earth. The acidity is good but could be better. The finish is rich, balanced dark fruit & minerals,elegant and lasts for nearly a minute.

Boysenberries, huckleberries, olallieberries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, a touch of spice and violets on the nose. There is a dark stewed syrupy character to the fruits on the plate. They are; boysenberries, huckleberries, blueberries, olallieberries, blackberries, black cherries, black plum, pancakes, spice-box, tobacco ash, suede type leather, black moist turned earth, dry used coffee grounds, black tea, black cherry licorice, Planters nut candy bar, sage, underbrush, toasted coconut, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, well done toast, dry dark florals, wet crushed rocks, nice, soft, volcanic minerals, good bottle evolution, tannins are 60% resolved, the structure is beautiful, still nice tension, long length with a nearly perfect balance of fruit and earth. The acidity is good but could be better. The finish is rich, balanced dark fruit & minerals,elegant and lasts for nearly a minute.

1 person found it helpfulMar 4th, 2017
Matt Gibstein

W/ Mom

W/ Mom

Feb 17th, 2020
Eric

Nice start to the weekend after some sub par wines earlier this week. Awesome bright purple in the glass with a nose of blue fruit and bramble. Perfect balance of fruit, oak with some tannin still hanging out. Long finish with some bite. Plenty of life left. Love Realm!

Nice start to the weekend after some sub par wines earlier this week. Awesome bright purple in the glass with a nose of blue fruit and bramble. Perfect balance of fruit, oak with some tannin still hanging out. Long finish with some bite. Plenty of life left. Love Realm!

Sep 30th, 2016
Jim McCusker

Another bottle from a couple of weeks ago that I forgot to post, this is a pretty early incarnation of The Tempest. Although Realm's more recent vintages are getting raves and lots of press right now (and deservedly so), this is a great example that showed the potential of this winery years ago. A terrific merlot-driven meritage, this wine had a great combination of primary and secondary flavors (dried cherries, hints of leather...and perhaps a touch of anise if you can believe it). Beautifully balanced with a lingering finish, I can't imagine this wine drinking any better than it is right now. Terrific wine from Juan Mercado and the rest of the team at Realm!

Another bottle from a couple of weeks ago that I forgot to post, this is a pretty early incarnation of The Tempest. Although Realm's more recent vintages are getting raves and lots of press right now (and deservedly so), this is a great example that showed the potential of this winery years ago. A terrific merlot-driven meritage, this wine had a great combination of primary and secondary flavors (dried cherries, hints of leather...and perhaps a touch of anise if you can believe it). Beautifully balanced with a lingering finish, I can't imagine this wine drinking any better than it is right now. Terrific wine from Juan Mercado and the rest of the team at Realm!

May 1st, 2016
Josh Abramson

Exceptionally good Napa cab

Exceptionally good Napa cab

Jun 22nd, 2015
Andrew Benn

Sweet notes
Well melded tannins, red fruit and black fruit
Bit of spice
Third Meritage wine in the Hanukkah celebration.
Might have commanded an even better score but it was chasing the Dominus and the Les Pavots
Glad I own two more

Sweet notes
Well melded tannins, red fruit and black fruit
Bit of spice
Third Meritage wine in the Hanukkah celebration.
Might have commanded an even better score but it was chasing the Dominus and the Les Pavots
Glad I own two more

Dec 22nd, 2014
Anna Sangiacomo

The most delicious wine !!!

The most delicious wine !!!

Aug 28th, 2014
Xavier Valero

Cherry's on the nose. Very fruity. High tannin. Very good.

Cherry's on the nose. Very fruity. High tannin. Very good.

Aug 3rd, 2014