Realm Cellars 'Hartwell XX' Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 - 750ml

99pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Realm recently purchased the old Hartwell property, constituting the highest blocks above their already estate-owned Stags Leap District vineyard (the source for Moonracer). The vines planted here originate from budwood acquired by Bob Hartwell (the previous owner) from Dick Grace of Grace Family Vineyards in the 1980s.

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Hartwell XX has an irresistibly fragrant nose, opening out to reveal notes of lilacs, Indian spices and fragrant soil over a core of blackcurrant jelly, boysenberries and licorice with a hint of beef drippings. The palate is a big, rich, full-bodied behemoth, with the most gorgeous velvety tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing very long and opulent.

99pts Vinous
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Hartwell XX emerges from two blocks on the original Hartwell property planted with the famous Grace clone of Cabernet Sauvignon. A dazzling wine the XX may very well be the single most moving expressive Cabernet I have ever tasted from Realm. In the glass the XX is seamless with layers of fruit that build effortlessly over time. The 2019 is not a big or opulent wine but rather a Cabernet of total finesse. I loved it.

98+pts Jeb Dunnuck
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Hartwell XX is another Stags Leap estate release coming from a slightly higher elevation block and older heritage clones of Cabernet Sauvignon. Built for the long haul it boasts pure blue fruits cassis gravelly earth and violet nuances and comes across as a classic Saint-Julien from a great vintage. Deep concentrated flawlessly balanced and as seamless as they come give it 3-4 years count yourself lucky and enjoy over the following two decades or more.

Winemaker Notes

Red and black fruit; pedigreed; sleek, sexy and sophisticated.

Hartwell XX is an estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon from blocks at the very top of our property on Wappo Hill. This 2-acre parcel was planted in 1986 by Bob Hartwell, who used cuttings of Grace Family Vineyard’s Bosche clone he had acquired from his friend, Dick Grace. 1990 was the first vintage from those vines, and the early wines of Hartwell Estate Vineyards were made at the Grace winery. Realm was given the opportunity to purchase these blocks in 2020, having acquired nearly 20 acres from the Hartwell family in 2015.