2021 Realm ‘Moonracer’ Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

TWI 96+ The 2021 Moonracer is a single vineyard wine from Realm’s vineyard in Stags Leap District. “The wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon this year because the vineyard is being replanted,” said winemaker Benoit Touquette. “The Merlot and Cabernet Franc were pulled, and the new plantings aren’t in production yet. By the time we’re done, we will have replanted all this vineyard. Then a true footprint of the place will be in this wine.” Deep garnet-purple colored, gregarious notes of blackberry pie, black cherries, and black currant pastilles prance out of the glass, leading to fragrant wafts of lavender, chocolate mint, and cinnamon stick. Full-bodied, the palate is taut with ripe, crunchy black fruits, supported by a solid frame of grainy tannins and compelling tension, finishing long with loads of mineral and baking spice sparks. 720 cases were made.Estate Notes: Once again a kaleidoscope of flavors, packed with layers of blue fruits, fresh pine forest, graphite and notes of cassis. Tightly packed, full of tension and delivers on the palate with precision, slowly revealing itself layer after layer. The tannins on the 2021 are somewhat more persistent than in previous years, which is indicative of this vintage as a whole.For the first time, Moonracer is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon due to the replanting of Cabernet Franc and Merlot blocks currently underway. This will continue for the next few years as we wait for the new vines to mature. As usual, this wine will reward those with patience as the nuances unfold with time.