Moderate temperatures and prolonged hang-time in 2005 produced the longest growing season on record for Realm Cellars. This resulted in ultra-soft tannins and our deepest-colored wines to date. Fruit set was large, but our yields were moderate due to aggressive green-thinning over multiple passes. Additionally, for the first year in more than a decade there was no significant heat-spike in September or October, leading to wines with more intense aromatics. So what began as a frighteningly wet year resulted in our best wines to date! Most of the pHs are about 3.9 with alcohols in the mid-15% range.

2005 The Tempest Napa Valley Red Wine. This year's blend consists of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 18% Petit Verdot. Historically our homage to Bordeaux's Right Bank, the addition of some very dark and rich Cabernet Sauvignon from Coombsville along with some very ripe Petit Verdot from St. Helena gives our 2005 Tempest more black-fruit flavors and aromas than ever before. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. 574 cases

"The 2005 The Tempest offers attractive aromas of blueberry jam, cassis, and a creamy, espresso/chocolatey character. This opulent, round, hedonistic, voluptuously-textured, super-pure 2005 will provide pleasure over the next 12-15 years".

94 points Robert M. Parker, Wine Advocate, December 28. 2007

2005 The Bard Napa Valley Red wine. Comprised of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot. The Bard has always been our Cabernet-based blend and we seek to create the most satisfying, voluminous, and balanced blend possible using multiple vineyard sources. Without the boundaries inherent in vineyard-designation, we are able to be more diverse in our blending - and take it as a poetic exercise, honoring the Bard himself. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. 96 cases

"The 2005 The Bard exhibits chocolate espresso, mocha, black currants, lavender, and cedar characteristics, along with terrific stuffing and a layered mouthfeel. While it is not as complex as the previous two efforts, I may have caught it at a slightly more subdued stage as it is just as concentrated as those cuvees".

93 points Robert M. Parker, Wine Advocate, December 28, 2007

2005 Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. This site on the west side of St. Helena (in the vicinity of the famous Hayne Vineyard) is extremely gravelly, yielding a rich wine with elegant tannins and great aromatics. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. 558 cases

"A seamless beauty, the dense ruby/purple-colored Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard, from a St. Helena site, reveals notes of black currants, sweet cherries, cedar and roasted herbs. Balanced and full-bodied with exceptional density, high glycerin, sweet tannin, and a long finish, it should easily last for 15 or more years".

94 points Robert M. Parker, Wine Advocate, December 28, 2007

2005 Farella Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. This red, rocky soil and cool climate site in Coombsville always produces our most muscular wine. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. 441 cases

"From a cooler site, the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Farella Vineyard exhibits notes of mint, black currants, cherries, and licorice. This dark purple-hued, medium to full-bodied effort reveals an attractive texture as well as an elegant mouthfeel (reminiscent of a Margaux). It should drink well for 10-15+ years".

92 points Robert M. Parker, Wine Advocate, December 28, 2007

2005 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. We had amazing hang-time here in 2005 with a whopping 144 days between mid-bloom and harvest. This led to softer tannins and more depth than ever before 45-day maceration. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. 302 cases

"From a renowned vineyard site, the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon boasts a deep ruby/purple color in addition to a fragrant bouquet of sweet blackberries, cherries, roasted herbs, espresso, cedar, and chocolate. Full in the mouth, with impressive stuffing, a multi-dimensional mouthfeel, an inkiness to the fruit, fabulously sweet tannin, and a 50-second finish, this stunning Cabernet should drink nicely for two decades or more".

95 points Robert M. Parker, Wine Advocate, December 28, 2007