2012 Realm Cellars, Farella Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Bottle (750ml)

RP96+ The single-vineyard 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Farella Vineyard comes from a hillside, cool-climate site in the Coombsville AVA in the eastern Vaca Mountains. In the past, much of this fruit went into early vintages of Opus One. This is a tannic, opulent, backward, primary effort displaying an inky/purple color along with notes of incense, camphor, toast and abundant black fruits. Full-bodied, dramatic, slightly tannic and structured, this masculine-styled 2012 will benefit from several years in the cellar, and should drink well for two decades. A true first-growth vineyard is the Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard, which is located in the heart of St. Helena just off Route 29. The vineyard is planted primarily with Cabernet Sauvignon and two small parcels of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. For whatever reason, anyone who gets fruit off this vineyard tends to make wines that hit every sweet spot on the palate.

AG95 The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Farella Vineyard is an attractive wine that shows the freshness and floral/savory intensity of Coombsville off to great effect. Some of the initial fruit richness has started to drop off, but the wine has aged well, all things considered. Even so, I would prefer to drink it over the next handful of years. The integration of oak and overall winemaking feel better balanced here than in some of the other wines.