Community Tasting Note

• Cristal2000 Likes this wine: 94 points

  July 25, 2016 - Incredibly primary at this stage. Seems like it is going to need quite a while to come together. All the traditional trademarks of Dr. Crane are present, with eye popping purple color in the glass, dark fruit, scorched earth and minerality on the nose and very impressive structure. Overall, doesn't appear to be in the same league as 2013 or 2015 (barrel sample), but that is asking a lot. Not quite fair to judge at this point, but will anyway. 94-96.

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46 Comments

• csimm commented:

  8/12/16, 8:33 PM - Interesting that this seemed to be a bit of a departure from the 2013/2015 examples. I'm wondering what (if you can put your finger on it) the main difference was? Your notes, in terms of "flavors" seemed to be somewhat similar.

• Cristal2000 commented:

  8/12/16, 8:53 PM - From what I remember, the main differences were: A) It felt somewhat disjointed and not well knit together. Makes sense for being so young, yet somehow the 2015 already seemed to be humming along. B) It was not nearly as concentrated and powerful as '13/'15. C) The finish was nice, but again, not on the level of '13/'15. I came away wanting to buy as much To Kalon as possible in 2014, but won't be horribly disappointed with my usual low allocation to Dr. Crane. That said, of course I will take every bottle I can get. All Realm wine is becoming one of the better "deals" in Napa.

• csimm commented:

  8/12/16, 9:11 PM - Makes sense. Always hard to gauge what a wine "is" at a given time versus what it might "become" at some other time in the future. Always a bit of a moving target, which is what makes it frustrating and fun all in the same experience.
  
  Great stuff! Thanks again for all of your insight. I'm definitely gonna have to reach out to Juan and Renee and see if they can squeeze me in sometime soon.

• Cristal2000 commented:

  8/12/16, 9:25 PM - I was surprised to find that Renee no longer works at Realm. Just an FYI.

• csimm commented:

  8/12/16, 9:33 PM - Oh; good info. Thanks. I wasn't aware. It's been a few months since I last had contact. Thanks again!

• Cristal2000 commented:

  2/17/17, 7:12 PM - CSIMM - what did you end up with from the Realm SVD release?

• csimm commented:

  2/17/17, 10:07 PM - I ended up with:
  3 BTK
  1 Crane
  2 Moonracer
  2 Fidelio
  (I skipped on Farella & Houyi - I'll probably regret that)
  
  The only thing I wished was more Crane, but I figured I wouldn't get much love there.
  
  You?

• Cristal2000 commented:

  2/18/17, 7:26 AM - Oh man, I went ALL IN on this one and bugged Juan pretty good. Ended up with:
  6 + Mag = Crane
  6 + Mag = BTK
  6 = Moonracer
  4 = Houyi
  4 = Farella
  
  Here's hoping I like 'em!

• csimm commented:

  2/18/17, 7:44 AM - Good for you! Impressive. I definitely just dipped my toe in the water with this vintage on Realm. I'm sure you'll absolutely love the wines. I look forward to reading all of your CT notes when you start popping the corks!

• Cristal2000 commented:

  2/18/17, 9:40 AM - This is the year I've decided to narrow down and load up. So I'm picking wines I know I love (i.e. Maybach Materium, Realm, etc.) and buying a lot while thinning the producers by well over half. With regard to Realm, I've never had much of an allocation, and therefore rarely if ever open SVD's, so this will be new for me.

• csimm commented:

  2/18/17, 10:01 AM - That's a great strategy. I started to do the same thing myself. With the exception of a few producers that I trust, I eliminated a lot of stragglers that I just thought ended up being "good" but not "great" wines all things considered. Realm is certainly up there on the list. However, I'd be lying if I didn't admit I was a little put off by the price hikes this vintage. I believe them to be "worth" the money, but I still get caught up a bit on the principle of the whole thing. I'm sure I'll stop bottom-lipping about it soon enough and wish I had ordered more (they allocated me a fair amount, but I obviously left some on the table). There's always next year to dump a bunch of cash on juice!

• Cristal2000 commented:

  2/18/17, 10:15 AM - I hear you. I think the "price" issue is always going to be frustrating, and rarely will any of us be happy. The only way to get around it is to start loving wines from less expensive areas with different varietals, like what Sandland's has done. Personally, I'm hooked on the Napa juice, so kinda hard to change unless forced to do so.
  
  I do try to keep things in perspective. Brand new producers are asking $250/bottle straight out of the gate, and I won't give them a look. When the aftermarket for your wine is double or more like with some of Realm's wines, and they kept the price down through a couple 100-pt vintages, I try to give them the benefit of the doubt. That said, the Moon Racer did give me pause. Given Beckstoffer's grape prices, I didn't begrudge them the bump on those wines.
  
  The other thing I appreciate is when a winery allows you to visit and shares wine with you. A lot of lists like Schrader, Scarecrow, Maybach etc aren't open to their customers, so they are more likely to get shelved if push comes to shove. My 2c at least. I DO wish they could all be like Outpost!

• csimm commented:

  2/18/17, 10:41 AM - Totally agree 100%. When you can't even visit the winery or taste the wines, a piece of the overall "experience" is lost. Not that I need or want some fancy estate winery to visit (Hell, Pott just has you come to his house and sip on wine in his dining room - which is great!), but at least some place to try the wines once in a while is a plus - that's especially true for me as a local because I'm in the area so often. As you mentioned, I don't begrudge Realm at all. They aren't new kids on the block and their wines are "worth" it, but all it takes is a couple of "gives me pause" types of moments before I'm just plain out (that's what happened with Schrader). Outpost is indeed an outlier (in a good way). Anyway, enough of my bitchin' about the money part of it. I'm pretty wrapped around the Napa Cab scene, so there's no doubt a price that comes with that.

• Cristal2000 commented:

  2/18/17, 1:38 PM - Have you had both the Myriad Crane (or Elysian) and Realm Crane? I've never actually popped a Realm Crane because I have so few, but I'd be very curious as to how they compare. I assume Realm wins out, but Myriad gives you a good value.

• csimm commented:

  2/18/17, 3:25 PM - I have not had the Realm Crane, for the same reason. I'll be looking to you with your newly acquired half case to take one for the team (you like how I just volunteered you for that?!) Ha!

• #1Winelover commented:

  2/18/17, 3:31 PM - Hey folks, I have had the Realm Crane (12 and 13) and it is fabulous -- similar to its reviews and very different than Myriad. I ended up with a boatload of Realm after bugging Juan as well:
  8 Farella
  4 Houyi
  4 Moonracer
  4 BTK
  4 Dr Crane
  I too am whittling down my list and loading up on my favorites. I still impulse purchase but try my hardest not to anymore. I also thinned out my cellar because there were too many bottles and I knew that I would never actually drink some of them. For example, all of my Caymus - sold! I used those funds to re-purpose my cellar with the gems that I like.

• csimm commented:

  2/18/17, 3:36 PM - You guys are ballers! Good on ya! I went so deep on 2012 and 2013 I think my PTSD is still keeping me a little timid for 2014. I'm in the process of off-loading my Caymus SS and other wines to fund the more rare and higher end wines I like as well.

• Cristal2000 commented:

  2/18/17, 3:38 PM - Seems all of us Napa Cab lovers fall into a very similar psychology. We impulse buy even when we don't want to; we strategize different ways to do this Cab drinking and collecting thing more effectively; and we obsess in general not just over the wine itself, but the entire dynamic of Napa Valley, the wine business, pricing etc. Funny how that works.
  
  So Winelover, since you've had both and you say they are very different, pray tell -- what sets them apart? I would assume Mike Smith's Myriad is quite a bit richer, fruitier and more one dimensional, whereas Realm would be more seamless, nuanced and structured...but I don't know. I've had a taste of the 2014 Realm Crane when I was too drunk to fully appreciate it, and had a barrel tasting of the 2015 that was just amazing.
  
  Myriad being either $75 or $35 less (Regular or Elysian), I am wondering if Realm represents that much better a wine (aside from the labels themselves being worth the price of admission).

• #1Winelover commented:

  2/18/17, 3:40 PM - CSIMM, if they have any Farella left, I would highly recommend purchasing some and I think Cristal would agree. I obviously have not had the '14, but the '13, IMHO was almost perfect. That's my 2 cents.
  
  I turned one of my friends onto Realm and he got his entire wish list (I don't know how many because he was only offered 3 bottles to start) after I asked Juan to be nice to him. My wife and I are going out to dinner with him tonight and I'm bringing a Realm with me to surprise them!

• Cristal2000 commented:

  2/18/17, 3:41 PM - Oh, and CSIMM, I will probably finally pop a bottle when I get this new stash. I have promised a few friends a couple bottles, but should have enough to give one a try. I am very excited to have more than 1 (2013) or 2 (2012) of the Crane!

• Cristal2000 commented:

  2/18/17, 3:42 PM - Winelover -- from what I can tell, wish lists for everything but Beckstoffer wines were mostly filled, but everyone I know got shut out on the Crane and BTK.

• #1Winelover commented:

  2/18/17, 3:43 PM - You nailed it with a great description. Myriad is in your face and has lots of baby fat, and one dimensional. Realm Crane is more sophisticated, richer, multi-dimensional, etc. Actually, CSIMM is a much better wine critic (at least writer) than me. I would suggest CSIMM sucking it up, and do a side-by-side :)

• Cristal2000 commented:

  2/18/17, 3:44 PM - There you go CSIMM! Tonight you should do a '13 Elysian vs '13 Realm Crane side by side! We'd settle for the '12 vintage as well. :)

• csimm commented:

  2/18/17, 4:16 PM - Oh I see, ganging up on the guy with the least amount of Realm... Damn, I'll probably do it! In the next week, I'll "think" about a side-by-side of the '13 Elysian and Realm Crane.... Man I'm easy...!

• Cristal2000 commented:

  2/18/17, 4:28 PM - You'd definitely get HUGE props for a side by side of those two 100pt monsters! Not sure that has ever been done on here. It would be pretty enlightening to taste the difference in winemaking, since they are both "perfect" wines from the same vineyard! If I was closer, I'd stop by with a Tusk to make it more interesting...:)

• csimm commented:

  2/18/17, 8:13 PM - Cristal...You bring a Tusk and make your way out to Napa, and I'll pop an Elysian, Realm Crane, Materium, and Carter GTO in the same sitting and we can see how everything shakes out! (and no, I'm not joking!)

• Cristal2000 commented:

  2/18/17, 9:13 PM - There's an offer I can't refuse. Deal! I'm headed to Napa for business in April and I'm definitely in!

• csimm commented:

  2/18/17, 9:30 PM - April it is! Let me know!

• Cristal2000 commented:

  2/18/17, 10:04 PM - My 2013 Tusk will be delivered in March, so that should work out well. If we can get them blind, with some red meat, at say Cook in Napa...man, that would be quite the tasting. I would love to see what wine wins out in that crowd. I will let you know the dates in April once they are solidified!

• csimm commented:

  2/18/17, 10:17 PM - Outstanding. Press is another good place in the Valley for the red meat aficionado.

• #1Winelover commented:

  2/19/17, 5:05 AM - I'm very jealous. I guess I will have to watch for reviews in April!

• Cristal2000 commented:

  2/19/17, 9:22 AM - CSIMM - I will have some flexibility on the days I schedule meetings in April, so let me know what usually works for you. You can send me an email if easier than on here. Would be epic if we could pull off that lineup - especially blind. Wonder if there's be a clear winner...

• csimm commented:

  2/19/17, 9:58 AM - We can pull off that lineup no problem. We have the inventory!!
  
  ...Just sent you an email re: April.

• amauryc1 commented:

  2/22/17, 11:09 AM - Damn.... Reading this thread makes me feel inferior. I brought 6 bottles last week at Realm and feel like I spent a crap load. I think I need to hit Pittsburgh and help #1winelover thin the cellar. :)
  
  2 '14 Farella (my favorite)
  2 '14 Bard
  2 '08 Tempest (drinking amazingly)

• #1Winelover commented:

  2/22/17, 2:28 PM - Amauryc1 -- You as well as my other CT friends are always welcome to visit me in Pittsburgh: 6 time Super Bowl Champions, 5 time World Series Champions and 4 time Stanley Cup Champions; thus the nickname: The City of Champions!
  
  That said, I think that it would be more fun to plan a visit to Napa, visit some of our favorite wineries, eat at fabulous restaurants and all of us bring great wine. Obviously, the side benefit is to establish real friendships. Just my 2 cents. And I'm not sure that I agree or disagree with your Farella comment, but damn, that wine is great :)

• csimm commented:

  2/22/17, 4:24 PM - Napa trip is always good. Anytime you guys are in the neighborhood, just let me know!

• amauryc1 commented:

  2/23/17, 8:18 AM - #1Winelover-
  
  In all seriousness, lets try to meet up this year after harvest, once the tourist clear out. We can exchange contact info later and start planning.

• #1Winelover commented:

  2/23/17, 8:25 AM - Amauryc1 - I would like that. I might be out there in Sept for a conference but can be persuaded to come back a little later. Or sooner!

• #1Winelover commented:

  3/15/17, 3:17 PM - Well, my "babies" arrived today from Realm. I was a very happy guy at work :). My question to this team is twofold: (1) what would you try 1st, and, (2) how long do you wait for wines to open up after their journey to your home? CSMIMM - I know you are in the Bay Area, for the rest of us, they were packed in Napa, flown, arrived in a snowstorm and 15 degree weather, so I'm assuming that there is some shock going on in the bottle...

• csimm commented:

  3/15/17, 3:27 PM - They are all good to open now... Do it!!! Write about it! Do it!!!
  
  Just kidding... I wouldn't touch those things for 3-4 months (regarding the shock aspect), and I probably wouldn't touch them for another year just cuz they probably need some time in bottle to get a chance to better integrate.

• csimm commented:

  3/15/17, 3:30 PM - ...Or you could just bring a bottle of the Crane out to Napa in April when we have a taste-off. That's a better idea...

• amauryc1 commented:

  3/15/17, 3:37 PM - Whats going on in April? LOL
  
  I agree with csimm, but if you can't wait then let it sit in the cellar for 4 weeks to stabilize the wine from the trip and start with The Bard (if you have any) after you give it some air. Farella was also drinking really well, but I wouldn't touch Moonracer or any of the other wines. Too expensive to not let them reach full potential.

• #1Winelover commented:

  3/15/17, 3:41 PM - I was not invited to April :(. That said, I plan to visit in Sept. I know that it's not ideal, but it is what it is and I've spoken with enough of the winemakers to know that I'll get a seat at their table with them!

• Cristal2000 commented:

  3/15/17, 3:49 PM - My 2c is let them rest a month, then pop a bottle in the name of science. Don't open a Crane or To Kalon, but pick another bottle and at least sample the vintage. 2014 is more approachable than 2013, so I doubt it will be a total loss. And hey, you'll be providing a public service as well!

• #1Winelover commented:

  3/15/17, 4:00 PM - That's good to know. I never know what to do about that. CSIMM, I don't think that I can wait 3 months. Actually, I don't think that I can wait 1 month but I will try. And in the name of science? It's more like in the name of Realm heaven! I just hope you don't read a review from me in the next week!

• csimm commented:

  3/16/17, 7:58 AM - Hell...You have a hearty stash...F*** it! Open a couple of bottles and go to town! Brag about it on CT and let the rest of us sit in our respective corners in puddles on envy...

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