2013 Realm Cellars Farella Vineyard Red Napa

(98 Points  --  Wine Advocate)

From the southeastern AVA Coombsville in the Vaca Mountains, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Farella Vineyard is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from white tufa and decomposed red volcanic sedimentary soils. For whatever reason, it seems that people who buy from this vineyard make better wine than the actual owners, which I'm sad to say, is not exactly what proprietors Tom and Frank Farella would like to hear. This is a terrific Cabernet Sauvignon made from clones 4 and 8, offering a rich nose of blackberries, dark earth, a touch of barrique, and some baking spices. The wine is rich, full-bodied, tannic and backward. Deep and super-concentrated, it needs another 2-3 years of cellaring, but should last another 25-30 years. (RP)   Review Date: 12/2015