Realm offering live

[R_Gilbane]

@Clint S Q U I E R

@R_Gilbane

No offense but the only clever thing about it is that they’re actually able to convince people to spend $900 for a bottle of napa cab franc. Seriously it isn’t that rare. You can pick up some Detert Cab Franc for under $100 and experience To Kalon vine goodness. More rare is the Detert East Block Cab bottling but that is still far less expensive than what Realm is proposing.

I’ll save you a glass if you go use that same argument in a Burgundy thread and manage to live through the experience

I hear you but this is a case where the best To Kalon Cab Franc is actually coming from the Detert East Block. Well, it’s the oldest cab franc coming out of To Kalon anyway. Whether or not it’s the best is certainly subject to your own opinion and tastes. Not surprisingly, the Detert owned East Block is adjacent to the MacDonald’s To Kalon parcel.

With that said, if I had to spend $900 on epxensive Cab Franc, I’m putting those dollars to use picking up a few bottles of a handful of Loire gems.

[Ledwards]

@Clint S Q U I E R

I’m grabbing the Cab Franc. I think it’s a clever riff on To-Kalon magnum only bottlings like Schrader Old Sparky and Carter GTO. Instead of just picking “best barrels” like they already do with Absurd (from all their vineyards) it uses what seems to be a pretty rare planting of Cab Franc from T-K.

Are there any other producers that make a “super wine” from a varietal that’s not their “trademark” varietal? The only other one I can think of is SQN’s “The Writing on the Wall” which is Petite Sirah.

Morlet has been making a To Kalon Cab Franc since 2010. Release $250-275 range. Has received a couple of WA100 pts.

[J.Vizuete]

First time on SVD list but I didn’t get a Dr Crane allocation and am kind of bummed about it. I’ve tasted old farellas at the vineyard and liked them but no recent releases. Any recommendations between Farella, Houyi and Moonracer? Think you could tell them apart blind?

Please PM me if you don’t want your Dr Crane

[Eric_C]

Don’t feel too bad J. Viz…it’s my third go-round on the SVD list and i’ve not been offered a Crane yet or even an option to wishlist it this year. Anyone know how long before you receive a Crane allocation?

[Maurice_Carron]

Added in Feb 2015, this was the first time I had the option on 1x Dr Crane. Option to wishlist last year but none granted.

[Michael_Fess]

I have anyways preferred the Crane to the To Kalon even when they were the only 2 SVD wines. I think Farella was new in the 07 vintage. With the small allocations to most long term members there will be a lot of wishlists request. I was allocated 2 and bought and wish listed 3 more.

[Greg_Smith]

I was only offered Farella and Houyi and have not had them. Given that they are priced in the same category (and higher for Houyi) than Myriad Elysian, MacDonald, Piper, Dominus, would those who have had it put it solidly into that class?

[MICHAEL_C_R_O_M_W_E_L_L]

@Maurice Carron

Added in Feb 2015, this was the first time I had the option on 1x Dr Crane. Option to wishlist last year but none granted.

Same timing here. Given low yields did not expect Crane this year but got 1.

[MICHAEL_C_R_O_M_W_E_L_L]

@Greg Smith

I was only offered Farella and Houyi and have not had them. Given that they are priced in the same category (and higher for Houyi) than Myriad Elysian, MacDonald, Piper, Dominus, would those who have had it put it solidly into that class?

I’ve had both Farella and Houyi. I’d put them well below MacDonald, ahead of, but in the same class as, Myriad Elysian and Piper. Dominus is a different beast entirely but I’d put Realm ahead on price alone. Your palate is your guide and ymmv.

[steve_hans]

@Ledwards

@Clint S Q U I E R

I’m grabbing the Cab Franc. I think it’s a clever riff on To-Kalon magnum only bottlings like Schrader Old Sparky and Carter GTO. Instead of just picking “best barrels” like they already do with Absurd (from all their vineyards) it uses what seems to be a pretty rare planting of Cab Franc from T-K.

Are there any other producers that make a “super wine” from a varietal that’s not their “trademark” varietal? The only other one I can think of is SQN’s “The Writing on the Wall” which is Petite Sirah.

Morlet has been making a To Kalon Cab Franc since 2010. Release $250-275 range. Has received a couple of WA100 pts.

The Morlet (Franc Force De La Nature) is pretty spectacular stuff…

[Scott_Everson]

Any wishlist updates ?

[JFPelletier]

No update yet for me. Did anyone get their wishlist?

JF

[MICHAEL_C_R_O_M_W_E_L_L]

@JFPelletier

No update yet for me. Did anyone get their wishlist?

JF

From Realm today

please note that we were unable to grant any wishes for the entire mailing list for the Beckstoffer Dr. Crane in both 750mL and 1.5L formats as well as Beckstoffer To Kalon 750mL bottles due to demand and the smaller vintage size.

But did get 1 Farella 750ml and 1 BTK mag.

[R_Mayes]

@Clint S Q U I E R

I’m grabbing the Cab Franc. I think it’s a clever riff on To-Kalon magnum only bottlings like Schrader Old Sparky and Carter GTO. Instead of just picking “best barrels” like they already do with Absurd (from all their vineyards) it uses what seems to be a pretty rare planting of Cab Franc from T-K.

Are there any other producers that make a “super wine” from a varietal that’s not their “trademark” varietal? The only other one I can think of is SQN’s “The Writing on the Wall” which is Petite Sirah.

Screagle SB?