Realm Cellars The Absurd 2013

Professional Ratings

• 100 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  Another perfect wine (but very limited in production at 200 cases) is the 2013 The Absurd, a blend of 17 components dominated by 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. Winemaker Benoit Touquette told me that this wine is produced with no rules and no restrictions, and is considered their super-blend of the best they have in any given vintage. (I guess I would look stupid if I didn't give it 100 points, given the fact that two other Realm wines already hit that maximum score.) There is something different in this wine, with an opaque purple color for sure, but then there's the cassis, the blackberries, the roasted meats, some spicy pepper, and then an extravagantly rich, cascading palate that seems to be built like a skyscraper, but without one hard edge. This is a seriously endowed, super-rich, incredibly well-balanced wine that should drink well for 25 or more years.
• 96 James Suckling
  A wild wine that is a kaleidoscope of aromas and flavors that changes all the time. Amaretto, spices, orange peel, mushrooms, walnuts and stones. Full body, masses of fruit, yet held in form by an impressive buttress of ripe tannins. Remains cool and taunt. Try in 2020 but so great now. A blend of 83% cabernet sauvignon, 9% merlot, 6% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot.
• 93 Wine Spectator
  Smoky oak provides the framework, with riveting blackberry, wild berry, black cherry and plum flavors. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2030.