Community Tasting Note
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csimm wrote:
August 28, 2020 - I’ve followed and reviewed this wine quite a bit over the course of the last few years and it has certainly delivered a consistently lushly dark and hedonistically round profile. For those who know Bard, this should be no surprise.
First pop of the cork showed a notable amount of booze and a dark chocolate martini profile - so much so that I “tasted” the heat with the hairs of my nose before it ever got to my palate. Hot and thick at first entry, like tossing a Molotov Cocktail into a Hershey’s factory. DE-CANT NOW.
A couple hours at near refrigerator temperature literally and figuratively cooled off the F-16 vodka finish significantly. What remained was a pleasurable, modern, dark fruited mini-monster that still kept its bite on the finish, but whose roar was tamed to the point of allowing the core aspects of the wine to become distinctably audible.
It’s a chocolate-covered blackberry salad for sure, and it’ll please those looking to experience the gateway into the house of Realm. Seamlessness and elevated finesse are still challenges here. Lots of air or a little more cellaring time is recommended. I liked it, but it’s still a work in progress in its current state.5 people found this helpful 5,746 views
6 Comments
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Quiet Lion commented:
8/28/20, 6:08 PM - Great note, thanks. I was going to open my first of two tomorrow night with steaks but on your recommendation I'll wait.
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csimm commented:
8/28/20, 10:23 PM - Hi QL! Because of the heat alone this was throwing off, I’d personally wait a little bit on this one. It has some nice stuffing that provides certain hope for a potentially better delivery and smoother flavor expansion with some additional integration. It’s just a little rough and tumble right now. Hopefully you can find another great pairing with your steak!
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FJM185 commented:
9/4/20, 8:42 AM - Thanks for this review!
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csimm commented:
9/4/20, 8:59 AM - Thanks FJM185. With the 2018 Realm offering currently live, the Bard continues to be a decent benchmark for the house style. And 2018 looks to potentially be a bit more consistent of a vintage than 2015. I am preferring these Realm higher octane reds with a little more time in bottle to shed some of the cocktail aspects of delivery. Cheers!
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FJM185 commented:
9/4/20, 9:17 AM - I'm glad you made that comment about the Bard being a decent benchmark of Realm. I'm a newer member to Realm and have never tried a drop of their wine, but I am nearing about 20 bottles in my collection. Debating which to pop first as an intro and thought the Bard might be a good start... I follow your comments frequently - so thank you for your continued input! Cheers
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csimm commented:
9/4/20, 9:40 AM - Best of luck. I look forward to reading any notes/info you have to share on your personal experiences with the wine(s)!