2018 Beckstoffer Bourn Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Bourn Vineyard is the new incarnation of Kata, which Realm added to their range a few years ago. Inky, rich and expressive, the 2018 captures all of the natural intensity of this St. Helena site. Blackberry jam, rose petal, spice, licorice and menthol build into the deeply, resonant finish. The Petite Sirah is down to about 10%, which is not surprising, as Kata was always a pretty eccentric wine by present-day Napa Valley standards.

This single-vineyard wine wine is new to Realm from this 2018 vintage, although Realm's winemaker, Benoit Touquette, has made wine from Bourn since 2011, under the Kata label (which is no longer made). Bourn vineyard is located next to Levensohn vineyard, to the west of St. Helena, but produces a very different style of wine due to dramatic variations in soil types. Deep garnet-purple in color, the nose of the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Bourn leaps from the glass with a stunning perfume of violets, dark chocolate, clove oil, star anise and incense over a lifted core of crème de cassis, blueberry pie and stewed black cherries. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has great tension and energy, featuring tightly wound black fruit and spicy layers plus a firm backbone of nice, ripe tannins, finishing long and fragrant. This is a very exciting new vineyard expression from Realm!