From another awesome vintage for Napa Valley, the 2014 The Bard is still youthful and lively, with a terrific core of blue fruits as well as notes of spring flowers, violets, cedar pencil, and tobacco. As with most 2014s, it has an understated sense of elegance while still carrying surprising concentration and depth. Full-bodied, flawlessly balanced, with great tannins, it's drinking beautifully today yet will evolve gracefully on its balance and purity for another two decades.

The Bard is one of Realm’s 'proprietary blends', paying tribute to both the Left Bank of Bordeaux and the Napa Valley. Comprised of 30-40 separate parcels stretching from Coombsville to Calistoga, it's always Cabernet Sauvignon-driven and around 2,500 cases are produced. The nose is equal parts powerful and floral, with notes of lavender and oiled leather. Ripe blackberries coat the palate and give way to lifted red fruit notes.

The 2014 The Bard shows off the more mid-weight, savory style of the year nicely. Grilled herbs, dried flowers, plum, black cherry and gravel notes all open up in a bright, tightly wound wine that needs aeration to be at its best. I expect the 2014 will always remain a bit nervous in feel, as is quite common in this vintage.