Realm Falstaff Proprietary Red Napa Valley 2016

"This blessed plot, this earth, this realm..." Immortal lines from William Shakespeare’s King Richard II, the source of Realm’s – and this wine’s – name. Realm Cellars and ACME Fine Wines started around the same time, about 15 years ago. For many years, we even shared an office with them, and grew together until ACME moved down the street. Realm, now grown into their impressive Stags Leap Estate Winery, is still dear to our hearts. Founder Juan Mercado and winemaker Benoit Touquette (Kata, Fait-Main) are steadfastly committed to crafting fine Napa Valley wines that help to accentuate the great moments in life. To us, they are on the short list of super-seconds here in the Napa Valley, houses whose price tags aren’t soaring with the eagles, but who provide luxury, show stopping wines which are accessible to wine lovers. 

"The 2016 Falstaff is the Cabernet Franc blend of the estate (there’s 37% Cabernet Sauvignon) that was sourced primarily from the Oakville appellation. Ripe black cherries, currants, scorched earth, chocolate, and a flowery, forest floor-like character all emerge from this powerful, concentrated, structured Cabernet Franc. It doesn’t have the sexiness of the To Kolan Cabernet Franc release, yet it’s classic Cabernet Franc all the way and offers sensational purity of fruit. Hide this for 3-4 years and enjoy over the following two decades." - Jeb Dunnuck, 98 points.