Took this tonight for dinner at George’s California Kitchen. Wine was opened at the restaurant, and the wine was fantastic out of the gate. Great fruit, spicy, smooth tannins. Problems started about 1 hr into the meal as the wine became unidimensional with a taste of sour cherry liqueur taste, which for me says that it does not take air nicely and it will be on the downside. My last bottle of the innaugural vintage for Realm.
Oucher!
This vintage (and its styling overall for Realm at least, to my mind) has never been one of my favorites for this bottling.
Merry Christmas!
I have only experienced three bottles of Realm wines that I admit does not forecast a winery’s progress or evolution in toto. That stated all three of my experiences, one that was with you Otto in S.D. from Charlie, have revealed somewhat hot, high alcohol, highly extracted wines that were not in my view age worthy. I liken them to Bordeaux Varietal Blend built like K B Pinots. Built for early enjoyment if you like big fruit and alcohol. I took a similar position a couple of years ago about K B and got reamed over there. Now I guess I will just get Realmed. ![[truce.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/d/d33e712b50d5efc2425bf219c404fbdb7ed0ba50.gif "truce"){kind=small}
As a postscript, I am curious to try an A.O. Cab. I have never had any and the wines have received universal acclaim here, but not with the tongue. Are they built similar to the Realm’s or no???