Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Realm Cellars – The Bard – Red Blend – 2022
Napa Valley AVA – California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Realm Cellars’ flagship proprietary red, The Bard represents the most expansive and dynamic expression of Napa Valley terroir. The 2022 vintage is Cabernet Sauvignon–dominant (approximately 70%), supported by Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, with exact proportions varying by year. Sourced from a broad range of elite vineyards spanning Coombsville to Calistoga and both valley floor and hillside sites, this wine is designed to showcase Napa Valley in its full breadth and power.

Aromas & Flavors
Dense and expressive aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry compote, and dark plum lead the profile, followed by graphite, cocoa, crushed stone, and subtle baking spice. As it opens, notes of espresso, cedar, and savory herbs emerge, adding layers of depth and complexity.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied, weighty, and concentrated, with a rich core of dark fruit framed by structured yet polished tannins. Despite its power, the wine maintains balance and freshness, carrying seamlessly into a long, impactful finish.

Food Pairings
Prime rib, grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, venison, or aged cheeses such as aged Cheddar, Comté, or Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Verdict
A bold yet refined Napa Valley red that captures Realm’s philosophy of sourcing greatness across sites to build a wine of exceptional depth, richness, and presence. The Bard remains a benchmark proprietary blend that delivers both immediate pleasure and cellar-worthy structure.

Did You Know?
The Bard draws fruit from some of Napa Valley’s most revered vineyards, including Beckstoffer To Kalon, Beckstoffer Bourn, Blair, Houyi, and Larkmead, contributing to its layered complexity and distinctive Napa identity.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This is a wine every serious wine lover should have in their cellar. Powerful, delicious, and unapologetically Napa, The Bard delivers depth, impact, and pure enjoyment in every glass. — 2 days ago

Delectable Wine

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9.5

The 2016 The Big Easy is fabulous. Rich, powerful and flamboyant to its core the Big Easy hits the palate with tremendous fruit intensity. Super-ripe red cherry, raspberry jam, white chocolate, vanillin and new American oak shape this opulent Syrah/Petite Sirah/ Grenache blend. Winemaker Blair Fox has dialed in a style that captures all the exuberance of past editions, but with more nuance than the Big Easy has ever shown. And I say that as someone who has never loved this wine. The 2016 is simply outrageously delicious. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, September 2018)
— 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

This was sensational today at the Brasswood Event.

The 23’s I tasted today are as good as advertised. — 4 months ago

Phil Castellano

9.2

Held up reasonably well but it’s heyday was a few years ago. Still has tobacco, notes of blackberry, and chocolate but had lost the intensity I remember from earlier bottles. — 5 years ago

Fredybeans

9.1

Robe noire
Nez fruit noire terre agrume
Bouche attaque acide qui d ailleurs augmente avec Blair milieu de bouche plus dense qui avec l air a tendance a se serrer finale sur la violette — 6 years ago

David Mark

9.0

We both really enjoyed this. Recommendation from a worker at Morton Williams Wine and Spirits (Blair) — 7 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2021 pours a deep ruby/purple color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with moderate seeing the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart, mostly black fruit: blackberries, lavender, dark chocolate, Palo Santo, fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Really lovely stuff. Drink now through 2041. — 6 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

This Wine/Vintage was recommended to me by the owner of Blair Vineyards (Richard Blair) himself. He noted that this was one of his best Cab Franc vintages in quite a while, and I agree with him. Dark cherry and cranberry aromas and flavors with hints of Roasted poblano pepper, mushrooms, smoke and vanilla. There is some tannin and a long finish. Excellent PA vino! — 6 years ago

Andrew Thomas

9.9

@Tanuki. Tastes of two sweet love making sessions on a Friday afternoon. Blair loves, a lot, and then more. Spicy miso pretty spicy. Moving to 884 for 6!weeks. Go Bucks O-H ! — 7 years ago

Wolfgang Dahlheim

9.0

2013 a bit oaky still nice to drink — 7 years ago