The 2021 Realm Houyi Cabernet Sauvignon is a distinguished red wine originating from the North Coast's Napa region in California, USA. Produced by Realm, this varietal is a pure and full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon, bottled at 14.6% alcohol content and sealed with a traditional cork closure.
This vintage has garnered high praise from several professional reviewers, all awarding it impressive scores. James Suckling from jamessuckling.com rates it a 97, describing it as a "solid pure cabernet sauvignon with form and muscle tone that shows typical Pritchard Hill character." He notes its robust body, chewy tannins, and a finish rich in crushed stone, suggesting that it will benefit from aging, recommending to "try after 2027."
Similarly, Jeb Dunnuck from jebdunnuck.com also scores it a 97, praising the wine's complexity and balance. He highlights the gravelly earth and mineral notes, complemented by blue fruit, chocolate, leather, and violet aromas. Dunnuck emphasizes its "beautiful tannins and flawless balance," asserting that it combines mountain structure with elegance. He advises that the wine needs 4-5 years to develop fully and will "shine over the following two decades or more."
Vinous echoes these sentiments with another 97 score, calling the 2021 vintage "silky, delicate and very pretty." The reviewer appreciates its classic style for the year, characterized by crushed red berry fruit, cedar, mint, tobacco, and a hint of French oak. They describe it as "beautifully persistent" and "understated and classy," noting that its mid-weight style is atypical for Pritchard Hill but expecting increased complexity as Realm continues its work with the vineyard.
The Wine Independent offers the highest accolade with a 98 score, lauding the wine's deep garnet-purple color and powerful bouquet. The reviewer mentions notes of blackcurrant jelly, stewed plums, fruitcake, charcoal, wild sage, mossy tree bark, and black olives. They emphasize the "rock-solid frame of firm, grainy tannins" and the freshness that supports the dense black fruits, concluding with a long, earthy finish. Production is limited, with just under 1,000 cases made.
In summary, the 2021 Realm Houyi Cabernet Sauvignon is a highly acclaimed wine, praised for its complexity, balance, and aging potential. Each reviewer highlights different nuances, collectively painting a picture of a robust yet elegant wine with a promising future.