Realm Cellars, The Absurd, Napa Valley

Realm Cellars makes about a dozen Napa wines, mostly Cabernet-based, from three estates plus purchased fruit. Moonracer, Cabernet Sauvignon from the former Hartwell estate on Wappo Hill in Stags Leap District, shows slate, dust and tightly packed tannins. Houyi, 22 acres at about 1,300 feet on volcanic Pritchard Hill soils, is a dark-fruited, floral Cabernet blend with Cabernet Franc. Farella in Coombsville, planted in 1979, gives a cooler, Bordeaux-leaning Cabernet and Fidelio Sauvignon Blanc, aged in demi-muids, concrete eggs and amphorae. The Bard blends valley-wide sites around Cabernet; The Tempest is traditionally Merlot-led; The Absurd changes grape and site each year. Beckstoffer To Kalon and Dr. Crane are purchased.

Region

Napa Valley (Stags Leap District, Pritchard Hill, Coombsville)

Vineyards

Moonracer Estate (Wappo Hill), Houyi Estate (22 acres, Pritchard Hill), Farella (Coombsville); purchased Beckstoffer To Kalon and Dr. Crane

Grapes

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc

Wines

Moonracer, Houyi, Farella, The Bard, The Tempest, The Absurd, Falstaff, Beckstoffer To Kalon, Beckstoffer Dr. Crane, Fidelio

Style

Cabernet-based, balancing concentration with freshness

Website

https://www.realmcellars.com/

Sources: napawineproject.com, winewithseth.com, realmcellars.com