2017 Realm Cellars The Bard Proprietary Blend Napa

(96 Points) The 2017 The Bard, based on 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Merlot, is certainly one of the standouts in the vintage. This deep purple effort offers a Bordeaux'ish vibe (which is common in the vintage) in its blackcurrant, graphite, tobacco, and scorched earth aromas and flavors. These carry to a full-bodied Cabernet with beautiful balance, a distinct sense of minerality, and the structure to continue evolving nicely for another 20 years or more.  Jeb Dunnuck, Review Date: 08/2020