2013 Realm Cellars, The Absurd, Napa Valley

The 2013 The Absurd is based on 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc, and it’s a massive blockbuster in every sense, offering a huge array of ripe black currants, truffly earth, roasted herbs, licorice, and graphite as well as an extravagantly rich, dense, and opulent style on the palate. With a layered mid-palate, incredible concentration, ripe, velvety tannins, and a great finish, it’s just now at the early stages of its prime drink window and is going to evolve for another two decades or more.

The 2013 The Absurd is sumptuous and full-bodied. Everything is turned up to eleven in Cabernet that marries opulence with the structural depth of the year. Graphite, dark spice, chocolate, leather, plum and a kiss of new French oak nearly bury the tannins. I would give this a few years to shed some baby fat, but it is pretty impressive all around. This is a tremendous showing. Today, I like the 2013 even more than I did on release.