2012 The Falstaff Proprietary Red

The 2012 Falstaff is fabulous. Cabernet Franc takes center stage in a gorgeous, aromatically nuanced wine that is all finesse. Mocha, espresso, mint, plums, menthol and licorice open up in the glass, but it is the wine's sense of lift and striking perfume that elevate it. I imagine the 2012 will offer a long and wide drinking window of pure pleasure over the next decade-plus.

The 2012 Proprietary Red The Falstaff is a Cabernet Franc-dominated wine that comes from the Kenefick Ranch in Calistoga and two Oakville vineyards, the Weitz and Fortuna. The 2012 is composed of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. A spectacular effort, it offers up abundant aromas of lead pencil shavings, melted chocolate, blackberries, cassis, spring flowers and an underpinning of forest notes. Super-rich, full-bodied, opulent and multidimensional, this majestic, extravagantly perfumed wine is best drunk over the next 10-15+ years, although I would not be surprised to see it last a lot longer.

Mocha, espresso, grilled herbs, tobacco and new leather emerge from the glass as the 2012 Falstaff shows off its superb pedigreee and class. Here, too, the Cabernet Franc notes are wonderfully alive in the glass. Even with all of its textural richness, the 2012 remains aromatically expressive and beautifully structured. An explosive finish rounds things out in style. This is another fabulous showing from Realm. The 2012 is 60% Cabernet Franc (from Kenefick Ranch) and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon (from Farella).