'The Bard' Napa Valley

The Bard is Realm Cellars' Napa Valley Bordeaux-style proprietary blend, first made in 2003. It is led by Cabernet Sauvignon, which the producer says typically makes up over 70% of the blend, joined by Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot in proportions that change every year; the 2021 was reported by retailers at 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Petite Sirah.

Rather than expressing one site, it is assembled by barrel selection across a wide set of estate and partner vineyards, which the producer lists as Blair, Houyi, Beckstoffer To Kalon, Beckstoffer Bourn, Moonracer Estate, Farella Estate, Larkmead, Orchard and Bettinelli Upper Range.

That spread is the wine's stated intent: Realm calls it "The most dynamic expression of Napa Valley" and describes "a blend of grapes from Coombsville to Calistoga, from the east to the west sides, from the hillsides to the valley floor. Dense, weighty, and concentrated."

Production is given as 5,000 cases. The style follows from the sourcing: a ripe, concentrated, layered Napa Cabernet blend with substantial but polished tannin.